Germany on the verge of total ban of all video games

[Rickyvantof]

Meh, pretty stupid. What'll happen to violent films and books?
They didn't think about that now, did they?

 

[Rhayn]

So what's going to happen to all the German developers? Just pack their shit up and leave?

What the hell has the world gone to?

Ironic, that in Germany's attempt to distance themselves from the Nazis, they've just made stepts towards them all this time.

 

[Ricky 49]

was it due to this kid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbcctWbC8Q0



anyway
on a serious note

video games aren't a crime

banning video games is a crime

well when one thinks of germany, "freedoms" isn't the word that comes to mind

 

[Bored Tomatoe]

I feel really, really sorry for all of the German gamers... That must really suck for you guys. I mean, up until now you had ridiculously censored versions of everything, and now violent games/all games are on the verge of a ban? That is just fucking ridiculous. German, and indeed all governments should start worrying about actual issues instead of what form of entertainment is most "dangerous".

 

[londelen]

If this passes, in the far future, it will be commonly known as "The Law That Brought About World War Three"

 

[Kogarian]

If true, it'd be really ironic. Germany's trying so hard to not be Nazi's that they're acting like Nazis.

 

[Alphavillain]

Here is a sledgehammer and here is a nut. Well done again, over-zealous and misinformed politicians.

 

[uhgungawa]

And this is why LOL

 

[theSovietConnection]

The censorship agency they created (which has a name too long to post, oh shoot I'll do it anyway: Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien or BPjM) exists to protect minors from what they perceive to be 'harmful content', and I forgot what article of German law it was that said something along the lines of 'freedom of expression and artistic freedom are not without limits'.

Article 5 of the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany:

1.Every person shall have the right freely to express and disseminate his opinions in speech, writing, and pictures and to inform himself without hindrance from generally accessible sources. Freedom of the press and freedom of reporting by means of broadcasts and films shall be guaranteed. There shall be no censorship.

2.These rights shall find their limits in the provisions of general laws, in provisions for the protection of young persons, and in the right to personal honor.

3.Art and scholarship, research, and teaching shall be free. The freedom of teaching shall not release any person from allegiance to the constitution.

Bolded the ironic parts.

I personally don't see this lasting. I'm not entirely certain if violent video games cause violence, I don't know enough to firmly say they do or don't. However, I can sure bet mass banning of an entire medium will bring violence about.

 

[AkJay]

They're not on the verge, don't be ridiculous. This will never pass through government.

If it did, the backlash would be so enourmous that games would be back in days.

Like in Australia? Right? ..oh wait.

 

[WrongSprite]

They're not on the verge, don't be ridiculous. This will never pass through government.

If it did, the backlash would be so enourmous that games would be back in days.

Like in Australia? Right? ..oh wait.

.....games have not been banned in Australia, they're just quite strict.

 

[PhantomCritic]

If this were true, the gaming industry would find some way to give Germany access to games again, gaming, after all is basically part of the general market now thanks to years of addiction(which i am proud of!)

 

[smithy1234]

If this was successfully passed there would be very large repercussions. Germany would lose tons of money from the gaming industry. I highly doubt it will succeed.

 

[AkJay]

They're not on the verge, don't be ridiculous. This will never pass through government.

If it did, the backlash would be so enourmous that games would be back in days.

Like in Australia? Right? ..oh wait.

.....games have not been banned in Australia, they're just quite strict.

Some violent games have been banned in Australia, and they had to cut out the whole drug-using thing is F3 from every game, all for Australia.

 

[Singularly Datarific]

..causing an increase in demand for such a game in the Black Market, which specializes in the industry of the transactions of illegal products, thereby increasing crime and thus violence associated with the acquiring of these now illegal products. It happens with guns, alcohol, tobacco, and now games with violence in them.

BAD IDEA.

And this is why LOL

We need those games to keep them pacified and out of the streets, who knows what could happen?