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Eidos Agrees to Amend All Versions of Game
The Sikh Coalition is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with Eidos in relation to the removal of all offensive images and content depicting Sikhs on the Hitman 2: Silent Assassin website; in recognition of Sikh concerns, Eidos and IO Interactive (the developer) have also agreed to change the existing versions of the game on all platforms currently in general circulation and adapt the next edition of the game, to be published for the Game Cube platform. Ashminder Kaur, as the spokesperson for The Sikh Coalition, negotiated a settlement that was favorable to both the Sikh community and Eidos. We have offered Eidos our organizational support in making these changes over the next few weeks.
The Sikh Coalition would like to thank all organizations and individuals that mobilized in this effort to preserve our image in a world where many people do not understand who Sikhs are and what Sikhism stands for. We believe that enabling local communities and taking small steps at the grassroots level will drive powerful change. The Eidos campaign is a prime example of what we can do when we do it together. Each and every person and organization that pushed this effort along was integral in making this campaign a success. Let’s continue to work together in defending and preserving the rights of all peoples.
We would like to thank Eidos for demonstrating corporate responsibility in their receptiveness to the concerns expressed. We salute the integrity and good faith shown by Eidos during our interaction regarding this matter. We believe that a satisfactory conclusion in the interests of all parties has been reached and Eidos has issued the following statement to reflect the above on its Hitman 2 website at www.hitman2.com:
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Eidos Plc is pleased to confirm that it has reached an amicable position with the Sikh Coalition in relation to the changing of certain images and references depicting Sikhs within the game Hitman 2: Silent Assassin which is on general release.
In recognition of the concerns and sensitivities which have been raised, Eidos and the developers, IO Interactive, have responded in both a socially and commercially responsible manner by:
- removing from the Hitman 2 website all relevant images and content;
- taking steps to amend the game on all existing platforms; and
- adapting the next edition of the game due out for the GameCube platform.
Eidos and IO Interactive would like to stress that no offence was intended but would like to apologise to the Sikh community and other persons for any offence taken.
Eidos recognises the value of upholding the Company's good corporate citizenship status and strives to observe high standards of ethical behaviour in all its business activities. To that end, the lessons learned from the concerns expressed by the Sikh community will help to ensure that the Company continues to observe and respect cultural, religious and ethical sensitivities in its future products.
8 November 2002 (http://www.hitman2.com/Statement.htm)
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We would like to thank each one of you who leant your positive and invaluable support to make this campaign a success. We would like to thank Eidos for being receptive to our concerns once they were raised and we applaud the positive steps taken by Eidos in showing corporate sensitivity to Sikhs. Accordingly, we believe that a satisfactory conclusion has been reached in the interests of all parties. Eidos has issued a statement to reflect the above on its Hitman 2 website at www.hitman2.com. Many thanks to the efforts of all concerned.
This tremendous result was made possible by the overwhelming response received from both within and outside the Sikh community. Over 100 organizations across the world joined hands to support the campaign, and it was the active participation of all co-sponsors that drove its success. To see how each co-sponsor contributed to the effort, please visit:
http://www.sikhcoalition.org/petitioneidos_updates.asp.
In addition, the petition garnered 10,675 signatures over the course of 20 days, and concerned individuals across the world from both within and outside the Sikh community contributed in many ways to make this effort a success. We would especially like to thank each one of you for lending your support in various capacities. It was the efforts of individuals on the grass roots level that provided the campaign with its incredible momentum.
This significant accomplishment demonstrates the potential for positive change through active cooperation between organizations and individuals across continents, working in concert to promote awareness, dignity, and respect for all. We pray to the transcendent Lord that this spirit of cooperation among us should grow so we may continue to make strides toward achieving tolerance and peace.
“Says Nanak, through God’s Name, may our spirits ascend and may peace dawn upon entire humankind.” (Ardas, the Sikh congregational prayer.)
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