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Sony game delayed over Quran gaffe

  • Story Highlights
  • Release of PlayStation game "LittleBigPlanet" delayed
  • Fears use of Quran-based music lyrics may offend Muslims
  • Game is one of most hotly anticipated in past year
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LONDON, England (CNN) -- The release of one of the most hotly awaited computer games in the past year has been delayed over concerns some of the background music may offend Muslims.

"LittleBigPlanet" has been delayed due to background music that Muslims may find offensive.

"LittleBigPlanet," described by review Web site IGN.com as an "instant classic," has been pulled from warehouses after it was noticed that one of its music tracks contained words from the Islamic holy text, the Quran.

The move is a blow to the Sony PlayStation game, seen as the console's first launch of an icon to match Nintendo's ubiquitous Mario, in which rag doll character Sackboy negotiates a lavishly designed world of platforms and challenges.

"We're sure that most of you have heard by now that one of the background music tracks that was licensed from a record label for use in the game contains two expressions that can be found in the Quran," a statement on the game's Web site said.

"We have taken immediate action to rectify this and we sincerely apologize for any offense this may have caused."

It said the game, initially due for release earlier in the month, will now begin shipping in North America in the week of October 27.

A statement on the Web site of Media Molecule, the game's UK-based developer, said the company was "shellshocked and gutted" by the delay.

"At MM, we were as shocked and dismayed by this as anyone," it said.

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