This has been a stellar year for games.  Standards have been set, records have been broken, and the game industry has continued to thrive in a sagging economy. Of all the great games we have had the pleasure of playing this year narrowing down a select few to comprise a “top ten list” was no simple task.
Please do not assume because we have not mentioned a game on this list that we do not consider it good, we just simply think that it didn’t have that extra something to be included on the list.

Before we even start I would like to say kudos to all the developers out there! You guys have given us some truly exceptional games this year, and we look forward to 2009!

A new development in the Little Big Planet Recall Saga.

Just in case you have been living in a cave for the past few days here is a quick recap. Sony has had a world wide recall of the platforming title Little Big Planet due for release today, because quotes from the Qur’an can be heard in the background music of the game.  The recall was announced on Friday and Sony released a statement that same day.

In recent news American Muslims have responded to the recall in an interview with EDGE and have stated that they are not offended by the use of the Islamic text in the game, but are offended by restriction of freedom of speech. M. Zuhdi Jasser M.D.; head of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy was quoted as saying “Muslims cannot benefit from freedom of expression and religion and then turn around ask that anytime their sensibilities are offended that the freedom of others be restricted.”

Dr. Jasser also went on to say that Mohammad himself “defended the rights of his enemies to critique him in any way even if it was offensive to his own Islamic sensibility.”

The composer of the offending musical track of interest, has also shared his two cents. He has been stated as saying “it’s quite normal to play music and be inspired by the words of the Prophet Mohammad. It’s my way to attract and inspire people towards Islam.”

Keep in mind Dr. Jasser and the AIFD cannot speak for the entire Islamic world. None the less If the Islamic community as a whole shares the same view as the group than this recall may have never been needed at all. The damage though has already done the game has been recalled and the revised version will be hitting the shelves next week.

For a full interview with Doctor Jasser on this recall mayhem, and the views of the American Islamic Community Hit up this link Edge Interview

Sony is eating dirt today because of a world wide recall of their upcoming Little Big Planet release; the highly anticipated platforming title due for release this Tuesday. Apparently all deliveries have been halted because of references to Islamic text in the games sound track. Gamers are reeling over the news since this is one of the largest recalls in recent history.

Sony was quoted as saying “during the review process prior to the release of Little Big Planet, it has been brought to our attention that one of the background music tracks licensed from a record label for use in the game contains two expressions that can be found in the Qur’an. We have taken immediate action to rectify this and we sincerely apologize for any offense that this may have caused.”

Although this will delay the release of the game, Sony has stated the game will be re-released the week of October 27th.

Here is the skinny from the Sony Blog