Don't worry, it's not a big deal. It's not as if they removed the fatalities* from Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure. Capcom, responding to complaints from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, removed a short sound sample from the game, because it contained the phrase "Allahu akbar," which means "God is the greatest."
We'd love to understand the thinking that led to religious speech being included in the soundtrack to the children's pirate adventure game. We're sure it was just included to give the game an "exotic" feeling. We're glad Capcom removed the offending sample, else they could have pulled a Kakuto Chojin-- by which we mean "get recalled because of inappropriate Islam-related sound samples," not "be a crappy fighting game."
*There aren't any, we're pretty sure.
Reader Comments (16)
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 5:55PM (Unverified) said
Yeah, that's pretty offensive all right.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 6:02PM (Unverified) said
How dare they use a common Arabic phrase! One of the most common phrases spoken on the planet, in fact.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 6:05PM Archerboy said
hmm, we need to start a holy war...
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 6:18PM Bakeriffic said
According to Wikipedia: "The theme for the Fire Temple (in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time) is most likely inspired by an Islamic prayer call, with a male chorus chanting in the second half of the song. Due to some protest, Nintendo changed this in later cartridges to a vague Gregorian chant."
So this isn't the first time something like this has happened.
So this isn't the first time something like this has happened.
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 6:31PM crazypeng1 said
ha ha, i think this is really stupid, i mean i Muslim, and i think this is really really stupid. whats wrong if some one in a video game just says allahu akbar. i mean if anything i would be happy if this term is in there. so bad that when he completes the task it says allahua akbar, geez , i think its silly, but...not for any bad reason, i just don't understand, after watching the clip, why they chose that term? not that i mind or anything
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 6:44PM (Unverified) said
Now watch them replace it with "spastic"
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 7:29PM Mr Khan said
Probably because it was used for no apparent reason, other than the possibility that it sounded cool
I doubt that they would've bothered had it been used in, maybe, actual Islamic context?
I doubt that they would've bothered had it been used in, maybe, actual Islamic context?
Posted: Aug 1st 2007 9:25PM (Unverified) said
Salmon Helmet, anyone?
Posted: Aug 2nd 2007 5:22AM SSUK said
They'll be burning Capcom logos in Islamabad tonight!
Posted: Aug 2nd 2007 8:27AM (Unverified) said
@ #4:
"According to Wikipedia: "The theme for the Fire Temple (in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time) is most likely inspired by an Islamic prayer call, with a male chorus chanting in the second half of the song. Due to some protest, Nintendo changed this in later cartridges to a vague Gregorian chant."
I didn't know that!!! I KNEW the theme sounded too islamic to be true, lol! So I guess that means I have one of the older cartridges?
"According to Wikipedia: "The theme for the Fire Temple (in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time) is most likely inspired by an Islamic prayer call, with a male chorus chanting in the second half of the song. Due to some protest, Nintendo changed this in later cartridges to a vague Gregorian chant."
I didn't know that!!! I KNEW the theme sounded too islamic to be true, lol! So I guess that means I have one of the older cartridges?
Posted: Aug 2nd 2007 8:35AM (Unverified) said
ROFL Skippy, great one. back to the topic.
I think these muslim councils complain to much and act on behalf of there opinions and not the actual majority of muslims, joystiq has posted the some topic and the comments made by muslims have found the line funny. They be allowed to keep it in since its free speech XD
I think these muslim councils complain to much and act on behalf of there opinions and not the actual majority of muslims, joystiq has posted the some topic and the comments made by muslims have found the line funny. They be allowed to keep it in since its free speech XD
Posted: Aug 2nd 2007 9:00AM (Unverified) said
@Chris
Some muslims might be ok with it, but you gotta put into context that some others would be offended.
Some muslims might be ok with it, but you gotta put into context that some others would be offended.
Posted: Aug 2nd 2007 8:00PM (Unverified) said
freedom of speech means people WILL be offended. And of all groups, CAIR? Well, their reign ends soon... Ive seen their numbers... maybe their successor will be more reasonable.
Posted: Aug 2nd 2007 11:08AM (Unverified) said
@Neeks
Again, Salmon helmet, anyone?
Again, Salmon helmet, anyone?
Posted: Aug 2nd 2007 3:22PM (Unverified) said
It wasn't randomly used at all...the sound bit occured during a specific action. The main character rings something that makes the sound bit play and for some reason "Allahu Akbar" calls these cannabalistic savages that live in trees for lunch/dinner whatever. That's why there's a problem. It's not like it was just randomly said and nothing was going on. Maybe it was a complete mistake but it "accidentally" relates this savages with people who say Allahu Akbar
Posted: Aug 9th 2007 8:10AM (Unverified) said
"Some muslims might be ok with it, but you gotta put into context that some others would be offended."
I'm sorry, I need to ask... so what? I doubt Capcom's sales would be affected significantly, and freedom of speech allows them to be blatantly offensive without any legal reprecussions. At least in the US. I'm not sure what European laws are regarding this however.
I'm sorry, I need to ask... so what? I doubt Capcom's sales would be affected significantly, and freedom of speech allows them to be blatantly offensive without any legal reprecussions. At least in the US. I'm not sure what European laws are regarding this however.
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