WILL BE CHASED AND BEATEN TO DEATH BY HER DAD

lence to be part of a video game regardless of what the motivation is. Domestic violence is not a game and this simply trivialises it. I worry that people who play this who themselves have suffered abuse will use this game to shape the way in which they deal with abusers.

‘It’s dangerous to plant the seed in people’s minds that the way to deal with abusers is to use violence against them. It’s counter-productive and could put them in even more danger.’

The game has been developed by French firm Quantic Dream. One of its previous games, Heavy Rain, cost €40m to develop and market and ended up banking Sony more than €100m. Last night Quantic did not respond to requests by the MoS for comment. David Cage, who wrote and directed the game, has defended it. He told an interviewer: ‘If you look really into the game and if you play it, you’ll understand that the game is not about domestic abuse. It’s a part of Kara’s [the android’s] story – she’s not a victim and she has a beautiful story. Hopefully you will be moved by what happens.’

Asked about the abuse scene, Mr Cage said: ‘For me it’s a very strong and moving scene, and I was interested to put the player in the position of this woman. I chose her point of view.’ He added: ‘What’s important to me, [and in this game] is that a game is as legitimate as a film or a book or a play to explore any topic such as domestic abuse.’

But Anne Longfield Children’s Commissioner for England, said whatever the makers’ motivations ‘it seems to end in a clumsy, inappropriate and graphic game play that is no more than an unpleasant exploitative way of making money off the back of real suffering’.

The Video Standards Council, which is responsible for deciding computer game age ratings in the UK, last night refused to say whether or not it would grant it a classification and allow the game to be released. A spokesman said: ‘Any decision to refuse a certificate is not taken lightly and to the extent we consider necessary we are able to consult our advisory panel of leading psychologists and legal experts.’

Sony Interactive Entertainment declined to comment.