Sex Pistols' main man Johnny Rotten was at Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock's (Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PC) launch party, but not to promote Activision's star-studded title. Or at least, he didn't do much to tell people the game is worth buying. After calling Guitar Hero a joke, he went on to insult journalists and Tony Blair.

Find Johnny Rotten raining on Guitar Hero III's parade at the full article!

With all the ruckus that the video game industry manages to get itself into, it really isn't hard coming up with a video game that can be attached to the word "scandalous". With this in mind, GamePolitics managed to come up with a list of games and gaming-related events that stirred up the headlines with scandals that could rival Hollywood's daily dose of intrigue.

GamePolitics didn't fail to include the Xbox 360's undeniable trend of console failures - which Microsoft still denies at this point. Indeed, with so many replacement consoles being sent to disgruntled Xbox 360 owners, its hard not to believe that the trademark Red Ring of Death has already become a nationwide symbol of doom and gloom.

Of course, who couldn't forget Manhunt 2 and Resistance: Fall of Man? Who couldn't forget Jack Thompson's smile on his face when he said that the Adult Only rating received by Manhunt 2 in the US was "delicious", or the way Nintendo and Sony quickly dropped the game as soon as Manhunt 2 was deemed essentially unplayable?

There's also the recent problems with using semi-fictitious religious backdrops as settings in video games, specifically in response to the portrayal of a fictitious cathedral in Resistance: Fall of Man. With the religious controversy Resistance: Fall of Man has stirred up, many gamers and religious groups have debated whether copyrighted works of art (even if the copyright is about hundreds of years old) can be featured in in games, and even whether the game's inclusion of the religious sanctuary is an act of sacrilege. Even Tony Blair and the Parliament have gotten themselves caught in the mix, so its clearly a shoo-in to the list.

These and other seemingly 'atrocious' games are featured in GamePolitics' list, with titles such as Columbine, and Super Columbine Massacre RPG. Quite a nice read? It sure is, especially if you're a fan of video game history, scandals, or both. Enjoy!

The battle between Sony and the Church of England concerning video game Resistance: Fall of Man ends today. The cathedral's dean, Rev. Rogers Govender, told the press that he has finally received the letter of apology they have been asking from Sony for quite some time now.

This issue sparked because of the presence of an establishment in the game resembling Manchester Cathedral in northwest England. The said building also served as a battle ground between U.S. soldiers and aliens in the game. After seeing the part in question, the church demanded a complete and total withdrawal of the title. A previous statement from Govender is as follows,

For a global manufacturer to recreate the interior of any religious building such as a mosque, synagogue, or in this case, a cathedral, with photo realistic quality and then encourage people to have gun battles in the building is beyond belief and in our view highly irresponsible.

Furthermore, a Sony spokesperson confirmed that Sony did send the church a letter. Govender read part of the letter, "It was not our intention to cause offense by using a representation of Manchester Cathedral in chapter eight of the work. If we have done so, we sincerely apologize."

The letter also included a request for a meeting among Sony representatives and officials from the church. The dean commented that they are accepting the offer to meet up and further discuss the issue. Govender added that he will push for their initial demands that include withdrawal of the game and a donation to the church's education department.

This move on Sony's part is really surprising considering its rather firm stand the other week. However, we could say that a lot of factors might have affected their decision, probably the most important of which was the strong statements from Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Everyone has their own say about the Church of England's dispute against Sony, and earlier we've just covered a game developer's insight about it. Now, it's none other than Prime Minister Tony Blair putting his own two cents into the matter. And it looks like he agrees with the Church as far as companies like Sony should start acting more responsibly is concerned.

The topic about cathedrals being shown in videogames popped up just today, in a recent session of Prime Minister's Questions - with Manchester Central MP Tony Lloyd putting forward the question himself. Here's his exact question, just so you see how he asked it - it's interesting to see that he cites Sony's legal tactics before going into the actual heart of the matter.

When large organisations like Sony find their copyright has been breached, they're very quick to use the law.

Would the Prime Minister agree with me then that when Sony used images of Manchester Cathedral as part a game which extols gun violence, this was not only in bad taste but also very, very insulting to not simply the Church of England, but people across the land who think it's inappropriate that big corporations behave in this way?

What's more interesting is The Prime Minister's response to it. Here it is, verbatim:

I agree with my honourable friend. I think it's important that any of the companies engaged in promoting these types of goods have some sense of responsibility and also some sensitivity to the feelings of others.

I think this is an immensely difficult area, the relationship between what happens with these games and its impact on young people. I've no doubt this debate will go on for a significant period of time, but I do agree. I think it is important that people understand there is a wider social responsibility as well as an interior responsibility for profits.

While he doesn't exactly agree on the Church's stand, he does agree about the part about companies being responsible about its impact on the youth. And with the actual point of contention here being whether the Church of England, as a whole, was put in a bad or defamatory light by one of its Cathedrals being displayed in Resistance, there's going to be a lot of debate as far as who's ultimately in the right is concerned.

What do you readers think? Agree or disagree with the PM's opinion on the whole deal? Let us know by your comments.

As Gordon Brown laces up to take over the spot that Tony Blair is leaving, shock waves are felt even on the British games industry after key people in the Department of Trade and Industry were cut out of the loop, compromising the sector's ability to communicate with the government.

The man being referred to is John Kroeger, known as the "DTI's game man." Kroeger is recognized as the human link between the game publishers, the consumers, and the government for his expertise and dedication to the business.

Industry big boys Paul Jackson, Ray Maguire, and Andy Payne admit that the financial support for the development of the gaming business has dwindled in the Blair administration, and may continue to do so under a Premier who has other concerns in his priority heap ahead of gaming. Still, the top cats haven't lost faith.

"This does not mean we won't be heard in Government. Our industry, alongside ELSPA and TIGA, has forged stronger relationships than ever with a number of Government bodies," says SCE UK Vice President Ray Maguire. "This allows us to continue the work all parties have done thus far, to further strengthen and promote the UK games sector, at home and abroad."

The UK gaming market is one of the most vibrant in its region, with sales being a major point of focus by international publishers. Still, it's also a fact that it has one of the highest average prices of game hardware ands software in the world, perhaps an indirect effect of the absence of strong support.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has praised the British creative community for having contributed to the nation's culture and for consistently being the strength that drives Britain to strive for a better way of life.

The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) welcomed the words of the Prime Minister and  commended all the industries in its jurisdiction, including the fast-rising game industry.

"The games industry is a proud member of these industries. The talent and creativity that our industry houses and nurtures is what makes the games industry a part of Britain's cultural heritage, and more specifically, an important asset in Britain's creative and cultural future," said Paul Jackson, Director General of the ELSPA.

Jackson emphasized that the gaming scene in his country continues to grow and as it does, more positive ideas are associated with it, all the while dispelling negative beliefs regarding the field. He also added that British games are among the best and most successful franchises in the world and are posting strong finances to give a significant contribution to the economy.

To date, the British game industry employs over 25,000 people, professional or otherwise. The appeal of games is spreading and transcending age barriers and Jackson happily concludes "we welcome the Prime Minister’s view that games are very much part of creative Britain both culturally and economically and look forward to his continued support."

Another celebrity report coming in here, courtesy of Kotaku (via ukmountie). British Prime Minister Tony Blair, wife Cherie Blair, and their three children are reportedly spending their week-long Boxing Day vacation over in Florida. It's also reported that they're spending it over at Robin Gibb's Summer home. Normally, we wouldn't be reporting this sort of thing - supermarket tabloids are for that - but another celebrity did catch our attention...

  

Yup, it's a PS3 box over there, being carried by Cherie Blair. What makes this photograph all the more intriguing is the controversy of the trip. Blair's already in hot water over this week-long vacation's expenditures, as senior Conservatives on parliament questioned whether this was coming out of the PM's own wallet, or from the taxpayers' money (Gibb's summer house costs about £ 40,000 a week to rent).

We'll leave you guys to deliberate on what this could mean, especially given what some people resort to to get a PS3. But in the mean time, we'll look at the pics, and ponder on what exactly Bush meant be "Shock and Awe."