Switzerland to Ban Violent Videogames

[PopcornAvenger]

Surely they can just hop on a train to France, Germany, etc?

Next we'll be hearing about gamers caught smuggling contraband across the borders . . .

 

[Sworm]

This from the country that requires all male citizens to keep an assault rifle in their house?

Err....

Tell me about it... Male swiss (& gamer , obviously) here. Most gamers don't seem to be aware that anything actually happened, but when they do. There will fierce opposition to a full-fledged ban. At least I hope so...

Let us have a moment of silence for our fallen Swiss brethren and sistren...

We have not given up yet! The fight is just beginning! Give us your support & strength Sisters and Brothers Worldwide!

There hasn't been any actual law that has been put in place as of yet, Our Federal Counsel still has to write down the contents of such a law, and while doing so, decide on a complete ban on violent games or simply forbid them to be sold to minors.

(note that "violent" games are defined as those who show "scenes of cruelty towards humans or quasi-humans". In short this would count most PEGI 16 - 18 games)

EDIT:

Surely they can just hop on a train to France, Germany, etc?

Next we'll be hearing about gamers caught smuggling contraband across the borders . . .

Well Yes we can... those of us who live near borders anyway (good thing I do!) but it's still quite a bit of a... how shall I put this?... "intense pain in the lower rear section of the base of our Swiss bodies?"

Besides, if it really comes to smuggling, we'll all be counting on you folks for supplies on the battlefield! (& the internet)

 

[That's Funny]

By the Gods, do they know what they have just done?

 

[Galad]

I wouldn't be worried for this for too long. Switzerland is known for its frequent referendums, so with an appropriate amount of negative response to that and one or two of these I'm sure a compromise solution would be reached.

 

[dochmbi]

Looks like Switzerland is well on its way to becoming a new center for game piracy in Europe.

 

[tomtom94]

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear...
That is all there is to say really.
More worryingly, Switzerland is in *EUROPE*. By virtue of this, it can now be held up as an example by those who hate videogames...

 

[duchaked]

well I suppose now the Swiss and Australian gamers can create their own land and government on an island somewhere...who's next? =[

 

[Credge]

This from the country that requires all male citizens to keep an assault rifle in their house?

Yeah, one of the smart things they do? Do tell.

 

[Jamash]

I wonder how this will affect EA and other game publishers who are registered as a "Societe a responsabilite limitee" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9_%C3%A0_responsabilit%C3%A9_limit%C3%A9e] in Switzerland.

Looking at the Electronic Arts Swiss Sarl Online Store [http://eastore.ea.com/store/eaemea/en_GB/cat/battlefield/categoryID.11242600] I can see plenty of violent games for sale.

Will EA and similar companies be forced to relocate their 'Sarl' to France, or will Switzerland take their traditional approach of keeping their financial business separate from such trivial things as laws?

 

[lumenadducere]

Even if it does get amended later, it's still surprising and sad that this passed. I do wish that lawmakers would take the time to actually learn about what it is they're making legislature on rather than just going off of what they hear. My condolences to Swiss gamers out there - hopefully this will indeed be altered and you'll get to keep the same range that you currently have.

 

[Premonition]

That's it, I'm calling it. Time of Death: March 19th. It was great knowing you, hope that politicians would get half a brain. Farewell!

 

[Sworm]

(note that "violent" games are defined as those who show "scenes of cruelty towards humans or quasi-humans". In short this would count most PEGI 16 - 18 games)

Hell, you could easily count Zelda games in that!

Oh, and welcome to The Escapist!

Enjoy your stay.

Thank you,

And yes you can include Zelda, probably along with Mario, Kirby, heck even Sonic or Pokemon, And don't get me started on 360 and PS3 games.

I wouldn't be worried for this for too long. Switzerland is known for its frequent referendums, so with an appropriate amount of negative response to that and one or two of these I'm sure a compromise solution would be reached.

Getting the 40'000 signatures for a Referendum shouldn't be to difficult I guess. But we'll still have to see how this turns out.
Anyway the "Restrict sale to minors" motion passed with a crushing 27 to 1 votes in favor or something along those lines and the "ban violent games" motion has a more even 19 vs 12 in favor of it.

So it looks like a ban isn't the most probable outcome.

Wait & See

 

[hazabaza1]

Poor Hubilub. Once he hears of this news, he will probably be sad.

You do know that he's Swedish, right?

Oh yeah.
Bollocks. I need to be more observant.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

This from the country that requires all male citizens to keep an assault rifle in their house?

Err....

Tell me about it... Male swiss (& gamer , obviously) here. Most gamers don't seem to be aware that anything actually happened, but when they do. There will fierce opposition to a full-fledged ban. At least I hope so...

Let us have a moment of silence for our fallen Swiss brethren and sistren...

We have not given up yet! The fight is just beginning! Give us your support & strength Sisters and Brothers Worldwide!

There hasn't been any actual law that has been put in place as of yet, Our Federal Counsel still has to write down the contents of such a law, and while doing so, decide on a complete ban on violent games or simply forbid them to be sold to minors.

(note that "violent" games are defined as those who show "scenes of cruelty towards humans or quasi-humans". In short this would count most PEGI 16 - 18 games)

EDIT:

Surely they can just hop on a train to France, Germany, etc?

Next we'll be hearing about gamers caught smuggling contraband across the borders . . .

Well Yes we can... those of us who live near borders anyway (good thing I do!) but it's still quite a bit of a... how shall I put this?... "intense pain in the lower rear section of the base of our Swiss bodies?"

Besides, if it really comes to smuggling, we'll all be counting on you folks for supplies on the battlefield! (& the internet)

I just hope they don't take it too far. Nice first post, welcome to the escapist, enjoy your stay and don't drink the water. Never drink the water...

 

[Nurb]

Governments all over the world are beginning to crack down on free speech and expression if it's unpleasant in any way.

And THIS, folks, is one of the reasons people pirate. To get around the thought police bans

 

[Akai Shizuku]

Neutral country, my balls.

Just another one of Switzerland's series of right-wing moves. I'm beginning to wonder about how democratic that place really is.