Crytek, the largest video game developer in Germany, may be loading up the moving truck soon.
At least, that’s the word coming from the Games Convention Developer’s Conference (GCDC), currently underway in Leipzig, Germany.
The company is best known for its hit game Far Cry as well as for the much-anticipated Crysis. As reported by Heise Online, Crytek founder Avni Yerli (left) has – once again – threatened to uproot the company if laws banning violent games are passed. From the Heise story:
The Conference of Interior Ministers (IMK) of the countries had unanimously decided on a production and distribution ban for violent computer games for the first time in the end of May. The responsible Federal Ministry of Family Affairs is presently working on a less drastic draft of a law for the protection of children and youth.
Instead of only the previous “violence glorifying” games, also the “violence dominated” games should be indexed by the Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons in the future. These may then no longer be advertised and sold to youths.
Crytek is apparently eyeing relocation prospects. Said Yerli:
Budapest is a lovely city. We already have a branch office there…
He also cited overtures from England, Scotland, Austria and Singapore.
GP: This continues a theme that Crytek has been expounding upon for several months. See our previous related coverage: Crytek Developer Offers Frightening Account of German Game Crackdown and Far Cry Developer Threatens to Leave Germany if Game Violence Law Passes.
The story about the 2004 police raid is especially disturbing. Talk about your police state! Who could blame Crytek for leaving after going through something like that?
