January 9, 2007
Numerous sites have reported that the German government has effectively banned Crackdown
, an upcoming cops-and-robbers shooter published by Microsoft for the Xbox 360. Crackdown thus joins Gears of War and Dead Rising as 360 games unwelcome in Germany.Perhaps not coincidentally, German politicians are currently debating a crackdown of another sort. Proposed legislation would make creators, distributors and even players of violent games subject to legal penalties which could include jail time.
As detailed by GameSpot, the USK, Germany's ratings board, has refused classification of Crackdown, which means that it cannot be sold to minors or via online orders. In addition, it cannot be displayed in stores or advertised.
Of the German government's decision, Microsoft told GameSpot:
Microsoft respects the decision of the German ratings board - the USK - not to provide the title with a rating. While Microsoft will continue to follow its policy of not publishing unrated titles, we remain committed to delivering Crackdown and other top-quality entertainment experiences to age-appropriate audiences around the world.
Set for a late February launch in North America, Crackdown will carry an M-rating from the ESRB for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, and Use of Drugs.
Comments
I wonder why they do this. Dead Rising and Gears of War being topsellers and all. It's a measure to somewhat protect their corporate image I guess.
Anyway, sad to see yet another top-title for the 360 not (easily) available in Germany.
Considering the outlawing of violent games, this is all a knee-jerk populist reaction from the media-attentionwhoring German politicians. It's got nothing to do with the actual problems at hand, that cause things like the recent school shootings.
I have to hope for the reasoning ability of my government not to pass such an outright stupid law...
If this law is passed, I might well consider moving out of the country. Not beacuse I'm such an uber-geek and can't live without my precious gory games, but because such an act would show that our government does everything for a little media attention.
nice discussion around here, well I am german and in posession of GoW and DeadRising and i really enjoy it.(ordered on e-seller)
what is true is, that we got hell conservative politics, especially in bavaria which see no other reaction on amok-idiots and school-raiders then forbidding "killer-games" as they call it.
why?? well they looked on the computers of the school raiders after they committed suicide and what they found? Counterstrike (xtraLOL)
And thats, what the whole avalanche started.
I hope they will enable a real discussion about it one day, instead of barkin one-way decissions that wont help a sh*t.
thx
and greetinx from old europe ;)
So....it's possible to receive jail time for playing a violent video game? Wow, that's ridiculous.
Back on to the topic, I still think no one's actually trying these games out before they rate the game, and they're basing their decision on word of mouth.
Anyways, I'm glad to see that the game's not 'banned', just 'really, really restricted,' though that in itself shouldn't have happened in the first place. Seriously, is there some part in this game where the cop busts out a chainsaw and goes to town on the bad guys that I just haven't seen?
Lmao, I actually must have missed that joke.
Well I guess you could say that. Its not on the "banned list", you just have to be 18 to buy it, and it cannot be publicaly advertised or displayed. Personaly I dont think its fair, I wouldnt say they banned it.
It looks to me like "crackdown" is a game thats target audiance appears to be players under the age of 18 which is why they dont want to rate it. Bottom line is if you want to buy it you still can.
Thompson should move to Germany. :p
Now, how the heck did the USK come to this decision? Granted, I haven't seen a whole lot of gameplay footage for Crackdown, but what violence I've seen seems blatantly exaggerated, almost cartoony. Far from the fairly realistic bloody stuff you'll find in GoW or Dead Rising. Then again, seeing all the fun stuff the ESRB has it pegged for, I might just be missing all the gorey stuff. Has anyone been able to see any of the stuff the ESRB's seeing?
So the word "banned" is actually a bit inaccurate.
Honestly, the last thign we need is amm for the anti gamers to eat up. "Look, they ban these games in Germany." Well we aren't Germany.
To get your rating refused it doesn't have to be graphic. In this case the violence was probably considered "problematic" for some strange reason nobody really gives a fuck about.
i agree...