Developing and selling violent video games in Germany could both become illegal under laws set to go through parliament soon.
The German Web site Chip Online, through GameZine, reports that all 16 German states have come together in agreement on the law. All games would be banned "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."
Parliament could vote on the proposed law within weeks or months. Because the ban would affects development and sales, game studios in Germany, such as Crysis developer Crytek, won’t be able create violent video games.
That’s the part that really bugs me. Germany has a reputation for being tough on violent games, banning the most notoriously violent titles — Manhunt, Madworld and Mortal Kombat among them — so I’m not surprised that certain politicians would seek to broaden the law. Also, these bans don’t make it illegal to play the game if the consumer can somehow get a copy.
But to stifle creativity itself in the name of protecting society takes censorship far beyond what is rational (not that I support the ban of violent game sales to begin with). I hope the German parliament comes to this realization when the law comes up for consideration.
25 Comments
Yeah, ban those bad mean games. Let's all go to a nice calm soccer match instead.
oops ... don't touch my UFC2009 ...
All games would be banned "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."
If only all governments would take the ACTUAL killing of REAL human beings as seriously and consider that as something to stop.
This world would be a better place and I would not have to pay as much taxes for military "peacekeeping"!
If only all governments would take the ACTUAL killing of REAL human beings as seriously and consider that as something to stop.
This world would be a better place and I would not have to pay as much taxes for military "peacekeeping"!
well then I guess every one will start playing Quake Live and Q3
I guess the problem with those violent games are that, sooner, rather than later, they end up being played by young people. They have an age rating but everybody knows the kids get hold of them anyway. Most parents don't even care what their children play. As long as they are quiet, they don't care.
That's true. So it comes down to the family itself to protect their kids.
Although i really doubt that violent games have anything to do with a kid grabbing a gun and killing people in real life. If a kid is raised in a proper way with real values and there's is nothing inherently (genome-wise) wrong with it, there's no way in hell that it will go buzzerk just by playing a violent game. Now, if there is something wrong with the kid from the beggining, then there's a lot of other environmental factors that may act to push into expressing violence.
It's a stupid approach to the problem me thinks.
Although i really doubt that violent games have anything to do with a kid grabbing a gun and killing people in real life. If a kid is raised in a proper way with real values and there's is nothing inherently (genome-wise) wrong with it, there's no way in hell that it will go buzzerk just by playing a violent game. Now, if there is something wrong with the kid from the beggining, then there's a lot of other environmental factors that may act to push into expressing violence.
It's a stupid approach to the problem me thinks.
I can see their point, but I have to side with Hemispasm on this one. In general, kids today aren't being raised properly. Moral values aren't as strong as they used to be and kids these days get away with lots more than when I was a kid back in the 70s. Parents today just want their children to watch tv, play on the computer, play video games, or send text messages. Whatever keeps them quiet.
What happened to road trips? Ever heard of books? How about fresh air? I have a 2 year old boy and almost every weekend the wife and I take him on short drives, usually to small towns we've never been to before, and have lunch. Last weekend we went to the zoo and bought season passes. Kids love animals, especially ones they can feed and pet.
I like violent video games, but I'm an adult. I don't think I have to be "protected" because I'm supposedly a mature, law-abiding adult. I'm not, but I don't think anyone should worry I might play 5 hours of Quake 3 and then go pick up a gun and shoot someone. Children are more impressionable than adults, so I do see why the German government would want to do this.
What happened to road trips? Ever heard of books? How about fresh air? I have a 2 year old boy and almost every weekend the wife and I take him on short drives, usually to small towns we've never been to before, and have lunch. Last weekend we went to the zoo and bought season passes. Kids love animals, especially ones they can feed and pet.
I like violent video games, but I'm an adult. I don't think I have to be "protected" because I'm supposedly a mature, law-abiding adult. I'm not, but I don't think anyone should worry I might play 5 hours of Quake 3 and then go pick up a gun and shoot someone. Children are more impressionable than adults, so I do see why the German government would want to do this.
Maybe the problem is not that the kids will get hold of a gun and start shooting. The problem might be that they may become more violent. And, for that, you don't need a gun, a simple thing like a knife, etc, will do. And also the idea to gang up on others who can't protect themselves (bullying), etc. This has always happened but, maybe, as times go by and kids are subject to more violence in games, etc, they have more tendencies to become violent in real life. And we can all agree that there are games that are a bit more brutal than maybe they should be. And this is getting worse, years ago it was not so common or not at all common (brutal games). There was very good gameplay without the need to all the brutality. Nowadays it seems that it's easier to depict graphical violence instead of coming up with great gameplay.
And maybe all of this has no relation to the way the kids behave in real life. But it's not something that can be dismissed simply because one thinks it's not a problem. I'm sure professionals who work with the kids and study what's going on, are much better prepared to answer this type of things.
And maybe all of this has no relation to the way the kids behave in real life. But it's not something that can be dismissed simply because one thinks it's not a problem. I'm sure professionals who work with the kids and study what's going on, are much better prepared to answer this type of things.
One thing is clear: if they forbid the games in Germany, the games will still be available in other countries. So, anyone, especially adults or young adults can easily still purchase them via mail order, etc. What this does is to make it more difficult for the youngsters to get hold of those games. In the end it might not be such a bad idea. It will let the parents police the situation more.
Are you talking about violence becoming part of our evolution as a society? If so, I agree. I play violent games, so my son sees this and he plays, maybe not making him violent but putting it in his subconscious. Through the years and generations this becomes part of our genetic makeup. Who knows. We've always been violent, especially males. I doubt we'll ever be able to completely remove the caveman mentality from our DNA.
Here is a great example. I'm a pretty easy going guy, but if I find out someone sexually abused my child, then that person has to die... and fast. I don't need to buy a gun, a knife or bare hands will do and I will live with the consequences. I've gone from nice family man to cold-blooded murderer in, say, 30 minutes. And guess what? Video games had nothing to do with it. If I was living in 1949 I know I would have done the same thing, long before video games came out.
And yes, johnzap, I believe people who work with kids are better suited to make this call.
Here is a great example. I'm a pretty easy going guy, but if I find out someone sexually abused my child, then that person has to die... and fast. I don't need to buy a gun, a knife or bare hands will do and I will live with the consequences. I've gone from nice family man to cold-blooded murderer in, say, 30 minutes. And guess what? Video games had nothing to do with it. If I was living in 1949 I know I would have done the same thing, long before video games came out.
And yes, johnzap, I believe people who work with kids are better suited to make this call.
"I'm sure professionals who work with the kids and study what's going on, are much better prepared to answer this type of things."
Exactly. And to date there's still debate on whether violent games cause an increase in violent tendencies. Sure, there are studies, but there are counter-studies, and I've yet to see any that compare video games to any other activities a child might go through, such as sports or academic competition, in terms of causing "aggressive thoughts."
This is why the judges in the US have repeatedly ruled that video game age-restriction laws are unconstitutional. Unless someone can prove that video games actually cause violence, they get the same first-amendment protections as books, movies and music.
Exactly. And to date there's still debate on whether violent games cause an increase in violent tendencies. Sure, there are studies, but there are counter-studies, and I've yet to see any that compare video games to any other activities a child might go through, such as sports or academic competition, in terms of causing "aggressive thoughts."
This is why the judges in the US have repeatedly ruled that video game age-restriction laws are unconstitutional. Unless someone can prove that video games actually cause violence, they get the same first-amendment protections as books, movies and music.
If Prohibition taught society anything, it's that telling people they can't have something makes them want it even more. If you want something bad enough, you're going to get it. This ban would just drive the games underground.
From the middle of WWI up through the Vietnam war, the US Military continually upgraded its practice targets from circles with bullseyes to evermore "manlike" targets with the bullseye in the middle of the torso. This was done to break down the raw recruits' initial hesitation to fire a weapon at a another human being. It worked. These video games don't encourage kids to go buy a gun and start killing people but they unquestionably break down the resistance to start firing should they find themselves with a gun in their hand and target rich environment.
That said, I don't need or want the government to ban any video game. I'm perfectly capable of teaching and policing my own children without the help of a bureaucrat. I tell them all the time, "Stop killing people and go read a f**king book!"
That said, I don't need or want the government to ban any video game. I'm perfectly capable of teaching and policing my own children without the help of a bureaucrat. I tell them all the time, "Stop killing people and go read a f**king book!"
It's the contrary, the society has been toning down violence more and more but this trend appears to be reversing. You guys can't look at history in decades but rather centuries and more. Look at Europe's history for example, look at Middle Age. It was a brutal era, people's life didn't seem to be all that much valued. But, from then on, the society has been evolving and becoming less and less violent and, let's say, more "civilized".
If we are now watching a regression on this, it probably means that our society is just becoming less and less "civilized", that's all. Everybody is exchanging consumer fever (buy, buy, buy, more, more, more) with peace of mind and real happiness. It's really an increasing problem with the western societies.
Even this game stuff reflects this. As I said, when the games arrived at our living rooms they concentrated more in gameplay (anybody remember text adventures, for example? they were great) and less in gore. Now gore seems to be taking over. Probably our "evolution" will end up throwing us onto caves again.
If we are now watching a regression on this, it probably means that our society is just becoming less and less "civilized", that's all. Everybody is exchanging consumer fever (buy, buy, buy, more, more, more) with peace of mind and real happiness. It's really an increasing problem with the western societies.
Even this game stuff reflects this. As I said, when the games arrived at our living rooms they concentrated more in gameplay (anybody remember text adventures, for example? they were great) and less in gore. Now gore seems to be taking over. Probably our "evolution" will end up throwing us onto caves again.
The last paragraph I didn't understand. I thought that movies also get age restrictions????? 
Might be. But the vast majority will not go that route, especially kids. How will a PS3 game go underground, if they can't even pirate them a and it is not available on shops? I'm thinking about the youngsters. They will get what is more readily available. After all, alcohol was, obviously, something much people desperately desired. And those guys were adults, not youngsters. I doubt most games are as desperately needed, if there are good alternatives.
Johnzap, imagine Germany saying you couldn't buy Crysis just before it was released. Yeah, that would have gone over well. If people want something badly enough, whether it's booze or video games, then they'll get it. Organized crime won't let us down.
It just points out that Germany has more of an interest in their citizens than this once great country, the US just isnt smart enough to follow suit
In the US, movies are regulated by the movie industry. The government has nothing to do who can see R-rated movies.
This is exactly how the video game industry operates, as well, with self-imposed ratings and outreach to retailers for enforcement. The results are actually pretty good; do a Google search for Video Game Secret Shopper and find the most recent data. It's something like 80 percent of underage undercover shoppers were denied M-rated video games.
This is exactly how the video game industry operates, as well, with self-imposed ratings and outreach to retailers for enforcement. The results are actually pretty good; do a Google search for Video Game Secret Shopper and find the most recent data. It's something like 80 percent of underage undercover shoppers were denied M-rated video games.
benf1,
If you think this activity denotes intelligence on the part of Germany, then I suggest you find a nice padded little room and live out the remainder of your life there. I am afraid you may be a danger to yourself and others.
There is no link between violent video games, movies, or tv, and the behavior of children. Cry-baby nanny types have been working very hard to prove such a link for decades, and have failed to do so. They worried about the violence of cartoons like the Road Runner, or Tom and Jerry, then cried about the violence on tv and in movies, and then targeted video games. Yet generations of children exposed to these "horrors" have become normal adults. It's clear that children recognize the difference between real and fantasy. The fact that Germany cannot recognize that does not make them smart. I'd say these Germans need to worry about their MANY other problems first.
If you think this activity denotes intelligence on the part of Germany, then I suggest you find a nice padded little room and live out the remainder of your life there. I am afraid you may be a danger to yourself and others.
There is no link between violent video games, movies, or tv, and the behavior of children. Cry-baby nanny types have been working very hard to prove such a link for decades, and have failed to do so. They worried about the violence of cartoons like the Road Runner, or Tom and Jerry, then cried about the violence on tv and in movies, and then targeted video games. Yet generations of children exposed to these "horrors" have become normal adults. It's clear that children recognize the difference between real and fantasy. The fact that Germany cannot recognize that does not make them smart. I'd say these Germans need to worry about their MANY other problems first.
Yeah ban those evil violent video games, because they might produce another Hitler. <---Sarcasm. While their at it, perhaps they should ban movies, sports, hunting, guns, knives, cussing, music, and everything else that might have a form of violence included or be used as a tool for violence.
Just go to any elementy, Jr & High school, and you will witness violence naturally. Human nature is not to get along. Just blame it all on video games, and when that doesn't work.........
Just go to any elementy, Jr & High school, and you will witness violence naturally. Human nature is not to get along. Just blame it all on video games, and when that doesn't work.........
For cry out loud. Look at the Romans, and every other nation in the dark ages. Can you blame those massacres on video games?!!!!! WWI & II, yep video games defiantly produced those.
If Germany really wanted to make a difference in violence, they would ban religion. Religion has caused the most wars, violence, and deaths though out history, and the differences in beliefs are killing millions every year even in this 'time and age'.
Pretty hipicritial to blame a video games on violence! There is more than meets the eye.
If Germany really wanted to make a difference in violence, they would ban religion. Religion has caused the most wars, violence, and deaths though out history, and the differences in beliefs are killing millions every year even in this 'time and age'.
Pretty hipicritial to blame a video games on violence! There is more than meets the eye.
What? Where are the Dr. Phil pundants? 'Violence begets violence...' How's that workin' for ya... and for the kids reading a book, well, let's all give the 'The Secret' to the kids and be part of the Oprah book club - I gotta stop this, I'm making myself sick with that palaver...
Violence begets violence.....
Sure does, only in real life though. So does sadness, crying, yawning, farting, itching, happiness, laughter, hating, loving, helping someone, hurting someone, ect.
But were talking about fiction video games, books, movies, music, acting, ect.
Real life vs fiction is a whole different scenario. You shoot someone in real life, and 30+ people want to kill you, and mangle you. If you play a video game and you virtually kill someone, they want to virtually kill you back in the game. But not in real life. It is a game, not a real life scenario, not even close!. Id rather see someone take it out on a video game, than have them take it out in the real world.
Besides, how in the hell are the Germans being raised? I mean really, if violence is getting bad, then parenting should be the real issue. Start raising your children correctly and this wouldn't be a problem. Oh I forgot, it is not the parenting, it is the video games (Sarcasm).
Sure does, only in real life though. So does sadness, crying, yawning, farting, itching, happiness, laughter, hating, loving, helping someone, hurting someone, ect.
But were talking about fiction video games, books, movies, music, acting, ect.
Real life vs fiction is a whole different scenario. You shoot someone in real life, and 30+ people want to kill you, and mangle you. If you play a video game and you virtually kill someone, they want to virtually kill you back in the game. But not in real life. It is a game, not a real life scenario, not even close!. Id rather see someone take it out on a video game, than have them take it out in the real world.
Besides, how in the hell are the Germans being raised? I mean really, if violence is getting bad, then parenting should be the real issue. Start raising your children correctly and this wouldn't be a problem. Oh I forgot, it is not the parenting, it is the video games (Sarcasm).
Sorry to hear about Germany's freedom and rights being taken away. Soon the government will tell you how to dress, act, what you can eat & drink, how to think, what you can learn, ect. I call them zombies. Sorry Germans, wish I could help you in some way.
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