Germany Moves to Ban Violent Videogames
Posted 06/08/09 at 10:50:26 PM by Nathan Grayson
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You know all that research that proves violent videogames cause school shootings and other horrible acts? No? Well, neither do we, but we’re positive the German government found a hidden treasure trove of the stuff. After all, there’s no way its 16 Interior Ministers would make a rash decision to ban violent videogames based on sensationalist reactions and hearsay alone, right? Right?
Because that’s exactly what they’re doing. The 16 Interior Ministers are asking Germany’s equivalent of the Parliament to ban production and sale of whatever games they decide are violent. This comes as a reaction to recent violent acts in the country, including a March 11th school shooting carried out by a 17-year-old in Winnenden.
If the ban passes, developers like Crytek would be forced to either pack their bags or outsource development to a place where virtual violence is permitted. But since all of those places have clearly been annihilated by rabid, frenzied warlords driven solely by gory FPSes and Mountain Dew, we don’t see how the latter would even be possible.
The Ministers are hoping to plunge their sword into the heart of the German videogame industry before September 27, when the country’s new elections take place. Here’s hoping the movement is, ahem, shot down before then.
Sounds familiar
Submitted by digital demon on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 1:31am
Haven't they done this already? Only it was books the last time.
Maybe they should focus on more important things like banning that violent thing called war that humans just can't help waging on each other.
If you people choose to
Submitted by rob41 on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 11:12am
If you people choose to dismiss the atrosities that occured as an entire country apparantly has then that's your choice.
Do not, for a second, believe that "well it's been so long it's time to get over it".
Six million Jews, as established by the Nuremberg Tribunal in 1946 and quoted by Adolf Eichmann, a senior SS official were killed at the hands of the German Government.
Today, the German government, although not in denial, has gone out of there way to keep the atrosities off the public radar.
So if you believe the best way to deal with your skeletons is to lock them in the closet, then lock away.
It's not "time to get over it" and it should never be swept under the rug. It should be brought up now and always.
"Yes, I think it is just you, because it's been SIXTY YEARS. Try again." This coming from a VEGAN! There ya go , deny the entire human evolutionary process! lol
Submitted by Vegan on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 4:19pm
No one ever said to act like it never happened. My comment was in response to the statement that it's ironic that Germany wants to ban violent media, but it's not ironic because no one who committed those acts is alive today. If it were the same people, that would be noteworthy.
"The Jury is still out on
Submitted by nekollx on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 11:14am
"The Jury is still out on this evolution thing."
-George W. Bush, Jr.
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Submitted by k11k on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 9:44am
I knew it was going to hit us 1st person shooter fan. They cry about a rape game, then it move up from there. Next I like to see PETA go after those hunting games.
Sure, must be the games..
Submitted by Cache on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 5:31am
I'd love to see how these government officials allow for violent music, violent movies, and even graphic news depictions of violence on television--yet only choose to block out perceived violent video games. It's all about the money, of course--a ban on violent movies would utterly destroy the German cinema and completely obliterate that part of their economy.
However, I would put forth this psychological tip: People do carry the seeds of violence inside them. All of us have felt anger, all of us have felt victimized, all of us have wanted to see 'justice' meted out in very primal, basic ways. Violent video games are a great source of stress relief because it gives us a safe, manageable outlet for those feelings. Beyond that, you can meet up with some really great people via these games--many of them are team-based and so it takes a singular angry moment and translates it into a more positive social response within that game context.
If Germany is so intent on preventing a safe, controlled manner to release that very normal emotional baggage, they will only be creating a bigger problem for themselves--one that will almost certainly hurt or kill more innocent people.
Submitted by bathtbgin on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 12:55am
Yes of course the Germans should ban "violent" video games, after all before video games were invented Germany was a peace loving country that never made an agressive act in its entire history.
Submitted by armada439 on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 7:15am
You blame the entire country for the decisions of the few?...
Submitted by graydiggy on Mon, 06/08/2009 - 11:10pm
would this ban have an effect on U.S. military personnell that are stationed in Germany. cause if thats the case i quit Gaming. or ill just get my shit online, cause thats what i always do. they actually think banning violent video games here is going to stop peopel rom playng them. HAHA!!! the internet is on the rise. online shopping is much easier these days. so yah they are fucking stupid if they think its going to work.
Submitted by Vegan on Mon, 06/08/2009 - 10:21pm
I thought they already had. At the very least, the German versions are heavily censored.
Submitted by grayscare0 on Mon, 06/08/2009 - 11:45pm
Yeah, I'm pretty sure I heard the German Team Fortress 2 has gibs replaced with random objects.
Awesome!
Submitted by johnny3144 on Mon, 06/08/2009 - 8:12pm
I Completely agree with their decision. heck, while at it, why not ban all the violent movie too? music too, anything that mention the word kill should be banned! they should maybe change the textbook too... what war? there was no war in the 1940s, world peace~
/sarcasim
this is just politician finding a scapegoat for things that goes wrong.
Submitted by rob41 on Mon, 06/08/2009 - 8:12pm
Wow. I wonder if I'll be the only one that finds it extremely "IRONIC" that the "GERMAN" government thinks video games are too violent?
Submitted by foamcup on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 5:13am
If the Nazis were still in power that would be ironic, but they're not, so you just show off your incredible ignorance here.
Submitted by Vegan on Mon, 06/08/2009 - 10:22pm
Yes, I think it is just you, because it's been SIXTY YEARS. Try again.
Submitted by foamcup on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 5:11am
Hey, the more racist black people in America won't shut up about slavery and reparations, and it's been over 100 years on that, so join the party. Germany has always censored their games all to hell though, with the rest of Europe feeling the sting of that too, but this is going a bit far.
Submitted by mesiah on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 3:05am
Unfortunately for you germans you'll never live that one down. Just like us americans can't say a thing about the fact that we stole our country from it's native population through lies, deceit, and all out war. But atleast it was one continent and not the whole world :P
Submitted by nekollx on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 8:27am
Theirs also the fact...you know...your not alowed to have nazi's in video games or movies called Nazies in Germany.
Nazi? What's that?
Revisionist history never works.
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Submitted by mesiah on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 7:41pm
"Revisionist history never works" Tell that to countries like cuba and china. >.>
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