Yesterday we mentioned a Destructoid report which said that EA's upcoming space-horror-survival title Dead Space had been banned in Germany, Japan and China. Destructoid sourced the info to Dead Space community manager Andrew Green.
Right away, the story didn't pass our smell test:
- Germany, perhaps. They've been tough on game violence of late. But Japan? The home of Resident Evil?
- Does EA even distribute console games in China (due to piracy concerns)?
- No announcements from the individual censorship bodies of the three nations?
- All three bans come in simultaneously?
- Also of note, Australia's notoriously censorious OFLC cleared Dead Space with MA15+
- And the BBFC, which banned Manhunt 2 in the U.K., cleared Dead Space with 18
- No official press release from EA on the alleged bans?
GP immediately contacted EA, with distinctly unsatisfactory results. The top PR dog didn't respond to our e-mail. Later in the day we tracked down the EA guy who is handling Dead Space PR, and put the question to him in two e-mails and a live phone call. Never got an answer one way or the other. EA doesn't know if one of their high profile titles managed to get banned in three countries? Sorry, not buying that. Or, they know but aren't saying? Unacceptable.
GamePolitics reader Afirejar posted a comment to yesterday's story which argued that the supposed German ban was bogus:
I can confirm for a fact that Dead Space has not been banned in Germany. Under German law it's not possible to ban products before they are actually available. The game isn't out yet, so it can't be banned, it's that simple. It's just not possible under German law.
This seems to be nothing more than a marketing stunt, German gaming paper GameStar even has official word from EA, that it's a hoax. The USK ratings process isn't even finished yet. (Sorry, German only)
Later, Videogaming247 cited a German language story by Eurogamer.de, which negates the report of a Dead Space ban in Germany:
Eurogamer.de’s scotched a report that said Dead Space had already been banned in Germany. Basically, it hasn’t.
The site’s spoken to EA Germany, and the game is still with the USK [ratings body], apparently, so no one knows yet if there are going to be any restrictions on the horror’s launch.
GP: It's time for EA to put an end to this nonsense. If there is a multi-country ban, gamers deserve to know about it. If there's not, gamers deserve to stop having their chains yanked...
UPDATE: Hey, I want to point out that I'm not faulting Destructoid here. They were not the only outlet reporting this, just the first. If the info is wrong, it seems that it somehow originated with the community managers of Dead Space.
Comments
Re: Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
What do you expect of Destructoid? They're a bunch of reckless jerks. Jack Thompson
EZK: When You comment gets flagged as spam, don't just keep posting it hoping to get one through. We will clear it as long as it is not spam. This one is not spam and Ilet it through.
Re: Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
Did anyone expect Destructoid, the crass, drunken uncle of Kotaku, to be any more tactful?
Re: Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
I for one think that this Jack Thompson impersonator should be banned (IP address). I for one am fed up with it.The real Jack Thompson wouldn't bother with something like this. Jack is a troll but this one is even more annoying.
And Dennis, you know Jack is going to accuse you of "harbouring identity theft". I think an IP ban would be a win/win, for you, us readers and laugh at Jack when he actually does post. The only loser would be an annoying troll who should expect to get a ban.
Re: Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
In my oppinion, posts by JT should actually be highlighted, he would be like a pet troll we make fun of
I mean, C'mon, who doesn't like to make fun of good ol' JT?
Re: Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
Actually it is the real Jack, or they would have dumped the whole post. They don't like fake Jacks either.
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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.
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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.
Re: Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
Has Destructoid been brought up on charges of harassment and lying? No, wait, that is you!
Re: Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
Hey Thompson, calling them reckless jerks? Wow...ummm yeah. Can we say: "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." or better yet: "Pot calling kettle, pot calling kettle...I think yer black, mate."
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James Fletcher, member of ECA Canada
Re: Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
Oh, here's an update, Mr. Thompson.
Yeah, looks like you were 'right' about Ike since now it's getting more attention.
BUT. (and this is a big but) That's only because meteorologists KNOW WHERE ITS GOING NOW. When a system is JUST formed, it takes them a while to figure out what the crap it's going to do. Just because a system APPEARS around the Phillipenes, doesn't mean that 100% of them make a beeline for the Florida panhandle.
Hurricanes are unpredictable. Lawyers aren't supposed to know that. Which is something you SHOULD have been the past 30-someodd years.
Re: Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
Color me confused. But the Philippines is in the PACIFIC Ocean, not the Atlantic. It's closer to Hong Kong than the Florida panhandle.
Re: Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
CRAP. I mixed up the islands in my head...
Re: Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
ROFL Smooth one, Dave!
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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.
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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.
Re: Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
So you see yourself when you look at them?
Re: Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
Likely just the PTC's website sohbet etmek icin sohbet thanks you
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Saç Ekimi
Re: Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
I'll love to know which gaming news sites you view as respectable.
Re: Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
Likely just the PTC's website.
Or the LaRouche website.
Re: Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
Are you still holding a grudge because they had the nerve to cover you during the Bully case? Because it really wasn't their fault you came out looking like a jackass.