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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Syt on June 08, 2009, 12:06:33 PM

Title: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Syt on June 08, 2009, 12:06:33 PM
All violent video games to be banned in Germany  (http://www.gamezine.co.uk/news/formats/xbox360/all-violent-video-games-be-banned-in-germany-$1301757.htm)
(Supported by Welt Online, reputable paper)
Quote
German ministers have today agreed to ban the production and distribution of all violent video games, with the law only having to go through parliament in the next few weeks.

According to german website Chip Online and supported by Spiegel Online, ministers of the interior of all sixteen German federal states came together for a conference today in Bremerhaven where they agreed to forbid the production and distribution of all video games "where the main part is to realistically play the killing of people or other cruel or unhuman acts of violence against humans or manlike characters."

The country has been infamously hard on violent video games before now, but an outright ban would result in a huge loss for the video games industry in one of its most successful European countries.

The law would result in no Call of Duty, no God of War, no Crysis, no World of Warcraft, no BioShock, no Uncharted, and no Grand Theft Auto.

Moreover, since a ban on the production of violent games would also be included in the law, German studios, such as Crytek, would have to outsource development to other countries.

The law is hoped to come into effect before the country's federal elections in September. The minister of the interior of Lower Saxony commented:

"Violent games lower the inhibition level for real violence and spree killers always played such games before they did the crime."

Note the second part of that sentence: "spree killers always played such games before they did the crime." That's quite a statement; one we expect they'd like to support with the German school shootings on March 11th, which were linked to Counterstrike and Far Cry 2.

For the law to become a reality it must go through parliament in the next few weeks or months. We'll keep you posted and hope the ministers are just blowing smoke.

Well, as I posted on Wargamer:
German lawmakers are stupid, film at 11.

They also tried to outlaw paintball.

There's already relatively tight laws about making games 18+ (and not being able to sell them openly or advertise them; though 18+ persons can still legally buy them under the counter).

I wonder if this is still within constitutional boundaries of freedom of art and expression.

Moreover, who really wants certain games will get them anyway - be it through torrents, online shops or having it sent from different EU countries (say, UK).

Crap like that makes me glad I moved to Austria where that shit doesn't happen. Actually, instead of black listing games, there's an institution white listing games as recommended to kids/teens; including some EA Sports games, EU3, Galciv ...
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: saskganesh on June 08, 2009, 12:14:19 PM
representing a founding country of wargaming, the german military should file an amicus curiae.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Syt on June 08, 2009, 12:15:37 PM
Well, I doubt wargames will be covered by "where the main part is to realistically play the killing of people or other cruel or unhuman acts of violence against humans or manlike characters."

You raise a good point, though: imagine the shitstorm if Bundeswehr were to release a game like America's Army. :lol:
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Valmy on June 08, 2009, 12:22:37 PM
Germany's Army: destroying the enemies of the Federal Republic

Hell that would sell about millions of copies to all the German fanbois around the world like Caliga.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Caliga on June 08, 2009, 12:23:18 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 08, 2009, 12:22:37 PM
Hell that would sell about millions of copies to all the German fanbois around the world like Caliga.
-_-
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Syt on June 08, 2009, 12:24:10 PM
Only that it would be a game about aid missions, rebuilding missions, rescue missions, and nonviolently defusing volatile situations (game over if it turns violent). :P
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Valmy on June 08, 2009, 12:24:50 PM
I am curious what video games exacty can you play without ones with violence?  Especially violence as non-graphic as WoW.

....I guess only soft core pornographic games will be left.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: DGuller on June 08, 2009, 12:26:04 PM
Quote from: Syt on June 08, 2009, 12:06:33 PM
Quote
"Violent games lower the inhibition level for real violence and spree killers always played such games before they did the crime."
Logical fallacy at 11:02.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Zanza on June 08, 2009, 12:27:31 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 08, 2009, 12:24:50 PM
I am curious what video games exacty can you play without ones with violence?  Especially violence as non-graphic as WoW.

....I guess only soft core pornographic games will be left.
Tetris.


I hope this doesn't go through and if it does go through I hope the Constitutional Court strikes it down. The court seems to be the last bastion of liberty in Germany.  :cry:
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Caliga on June 08, 2009, 12:31:30 PM
Quote from: Syt on June 08, 2009, 12:06:33 PMMoreover, who really wants certain games will get them anyway - be it through torrents, online shops or having it sent from different EU countries (say, UK).

Crap like that makes me glad I moved to Austria where that shit doesn't happen. Actually, instead of black listing games, there's an institution white listing games as recommended to kids/teens; including some EA Sports games, EU3, Galciv ...
You should relocate to Germany and take your enlightened Austrian ideas with you along with your artwork.  Germans have a proven track record of listening to individuals such as yourself.  :)
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Syt on June 08, 2009, 12:33:12 PM
Quote from: Zanza2 on June 08, 2009, 12:27:31 PM
The court seems to be the last bastion of liberty sanity in Germany.  :cry:

FYP
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Syt on June 08, 2009, 12:33:30 PM
Quote from: Caliga on June 08, 2009, 12:31:30 PM
You should relocate to Germany and take your enlightened Austrian ideas with you along with your artwork.  Germans have a proven track record of listening to individuals such as yourself.  :)

:shifty:
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Zanza on June 08, 2009, 12:37:34 PM
Quote from: Syt on June 08, 2009, 12:33:12 PM
Quote from: Zanza2 on June 08, 2009, 12:27:31 PM
The court seems to be the last bastion of liberty sanity in Germany.  :cry:

FYP
Yes, that's probably a better description. And the Bundesbank perhaps. Interesting that the two state institutions that are most independent from the cesspool in Berlin are also the best. Honi soit qui mal y pense.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Valmy on June 08, 2009, 12:47:38 PM
I find it rather hilarious that they are trying to outlaw things that they think cause people to break laws.

As if if they outlaw enough things people will be more law abiding.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Syt on June 08, 2009, 12:55:00 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 08, 2009, 12:47:38 PM
I find it rather hilarious that they are trying to outlaw things that they think cause people to break laws.

As if if they outlaw enough things people will be more law abiding.

Germany's future will be splendid and inoffensive. Like in Demolition Man.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: jimmy olsen on June 08, 2009, 12:57:21 PM
Man, that's just sad.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Syt on June 08, 2009, 12:58:13 PM
Btw, I blame the Allied led pussification of Germany post WW2. :P
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Ed Anger on June 08, 2009, 01:01:03 PM
Quote from: Syt on June 08, 2009, 12:58:13 PM
Btw, I blame the Allied led pussification of Germany post WW2. :P

Yes.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: DisturbedPervert on June 08, 2009, 01:01:41 PM
Quotespree killers always played such games before they did the crime.
:lol:

I wish we could find out the video games history's uncountable serial killers and genocidists were playing.

Also, who doesn't play video games, often violent, these days?  Your not going to find many people, at least under a certain age, who don't.  Of course a young lunatic who massacres people plays video games, almost all young people do.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: KRonn on June 08, 2009, 01:05:22 PM
This is nasty, dumb legislation, sheesh. Too broad a brush at the least, as it could cover so many games. Real life has violence, even games like Civ, EU, what ever have some forms of violence, though it seems doubtful they'd be covered by this, not at first anyway. More of the nanny state going over board. This will hit the US, and occasionally does in some form.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Norgy on June 08, 2009, 01:19:30 PM
In the future, people will remember the Bremerhaven Conference about the Final Solution For Video Games better than the Wannsee Conference.  :cry:
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Tonitrus on June 08, 2009, 01:20:57 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 08, 2009, 01:01:03 PM
Quote from: Syt on June 08, 2009, 12:58:13 PM
Btw, I blame the Allied led pussification of Germany post WW2. :P

Yes.

If we followed Patton's advice, and used the Germans to help conquer the Soviets, this never would have happened.   :(
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: The Brain on June 08, 2009, 01:22:57 PM
About time too.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Grey Fox on June 08, 2009, 01:30:10 PM
Good. They're ruining the games anyway.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Caliga on June 08, 2009, 01:37:25 PM
:yes:
Map sucks.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Lucidor on June 08, 2009, 02:02:33 PM
Didn't they already outlaw white text and unit markings on black counters? :(
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Jos Theelen on June 08, 2009, 02:14:41 PM
Nice. I should open a shop, near the German border.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Drakken on June 08, 2009, 02:36:12 PM
Germany should be banned. Morgenthau had the right plan.  <_<
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Ed Anger on June 08, 2009, 03:35:02 PM
Quote from: Lucidor on June 08, 2009, 02:02:33 PM
Didn't they already outlaw white text and unit markings on black counters? :(

Give me white on black SS counters, or give me death.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Palisadoes on June 08, 2009, 07:26:39 PM
Pathetic. They were going to blame paint balling a while back too (though that failed).
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Neil on June 08, 2009, 08:38:21 PM
Germans will do anything to avoid the fact that the problem is them.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: BuddhaRhubarb on June 08, 2009, 09:00:13 PM
non violent videogames only? suicide rate is gonna go waaaayy up.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: syk on June 09, 2009, 04:04:20 AM
Meh, idiotic election campaigning once more. I don't believe they can get this to pass or if they do that such a  law would hold against the BVerfG or EU free trade regulations.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Alatriste on June 09, 2009, 04:41:49 AM
Quote from: DGuller on June 08, 2009, 12:26:04 PM
Quote from: Syt on June 08, 2009, 12:06:33 PM
Quote
"Violent games lower the inhibition level for real violence and spree killers always played such games before they did the crime."
Logical fallacy at 11:02.

You won't believe it, but we have hard evidence that proofs beyond any possible doubt that every spree killer ever arrested had consumed food in the 3 days previous to the actual killing. Even more, when they were subjected to food deprivation they did indeed exhibit clear symptoms of physical dependence, including decreased heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety and fear; the worst cases did suffer confusion, seizures, and visual hallucinations.

And still the authorities refuse to take the food menace seriously!
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: syk on June 09, 2009, 05:01:27 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg13.imageshack.us%2Fimg13%2F6627%2Fnowecant.png&hash=32524731e3a4ec92c58c6909e5f3c9954cd4a37e)
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Sophie on June 09, 2009, 08:26:27 AM
I wish I live in Germany. I'm so pro to this one.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Valmy on June 09, 2009, 08:33:05 AM
Quote from: Sophie on June 09, 2009, 08:26:27 AM
I wish I live in Germany. I'm so pro to this one.

Who the fuck are you?

You know you can accomplish the same thing as censorship by not buying things you don't like.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: grumbler on June 09, 2009, 08:40:29 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 08, 2009, 03:35:02 PM
Quote from: Lucidor on June 08, 2009, 02:02:33 PM
Didn't they already outlaw white text and unit markings on black counters? :(
Give me white on black SS counters, or give me death.
I don't see why we should have to choose.  Can't we give you both?
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Ed Anger on June 09, 2009, 08:57:35 AM
Quote from: grumbler on June 09, 2009, 08:40:29 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 08, 2009, 03:35:02 PM
Quote from: Lucidor on June 08, 2009, 02:02:33 PM
Didn't they already outlaw white text and unit markings on black counters? :(
Give me white on black SS counters, or give me death.
I don't see why we should have to choose.  Can't we give you both?

:lol:

Help! I'm being oppressed!
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: BuddhaRhubarb on June 09, 2009, 11:38:09 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 09, 2009, 08:33:05 AM
Quote from: Sophie on June 09, 2009, 08:26:27 AM
I wish I live in Germany. I'm so pro to this one.

Who the fuck are you?

You know you can accomplish the same thing as censorship by not buying things you don't like.

is it TES? only Sophie I know.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 09, 2009, 11:42:21 AM
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on June 09, 2009, 11:38:09 AM
is it TES? only Sophie I know.
Pretty clearly an ESLer.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: BuddhaRhubarb on June 09, 2009, 12:27:37 PM
ya I hadn't noticed the grammar. just looked at the name. newbie? Lurker? do we have a who the fuck are you thread?
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: viper37 on June 09, 2009, 12:41:04 PM
Quote from: Valmy on June 08, 2009, 12:24:50 PM
I am curious what video games exacty can you play without ones with violence?  Especially violence as non-graphic as WoW.

....I guess only soft core pornographic games will be left.
You'll be able to play Staline VS Martians.
Title: Re: Germany moves to outlaw all violent computer games.
Post by: viper37 on June 09, 2009, 12:48:16 PM
Too bad there isn't a gaming version of NRA.  I fear we, the gamers, are an endangered species.  Today Germany, tomorrow, the US maybe even Canada.