German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring Violent Games

July 9, 2009

With an apparent official crackdown against violent games underway in Germany, gamers have petitioned their government to back off.

German GamePolitics reader "Christian" explains:

In Germany citizens are able to post petitions in an official internet forum of the Bundestag. These petitions are "accepted" when 50000 German citizens electronically sign the petition. When petitions are accepted, the German government has to review, respect and discuss the petition's postulation.

At long last a petition against videogame bans in Germany is online. One can sign the petition here. To watch the development of the petition one can look here.

German gamer Matthias Dittmayer adds:

Yesterday 300 [German gamers] had signed [the petition]. Today it’s over 9000... With more than 50000 at August the 28th our parliament have to deal with the topic. We have no public decision concerning the national level. Just a right that they have to listen to the demand.

As I post this, more than 25,000 German gamers have signed the petition.

Posted in

Comments

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by KBKarma on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 06:37.

Is it just me, or has it just cleared 65000? I'm looking at the graph and don't know any German, so you tell me.

[url=http://forum.rpg.net/showpost.php?p=11597732&postcount=18]A member of RPG.net's views on the Eversor Assassin[/url].

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by Rey Alp on Mon, 07/13/2009 - 02:41.

@Saxy

In our consitution is written that "everyone" has the right, So also aliens and minors can sign it. Here a "manual":

- http://www.destructoid.com/once-again-germany-needs-the-worlds-help-139470.phtml

But you have to sign with your real name and adress. "Fake"-entries are useless and will be erased.

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by Saxy on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 21:43.

Oh, hey, I've already posted, but I've gotta repost ask: Can I sign? I mean, I don't live in Germany, but is it legal/acceptable for me to sign anyway?

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by Ormick on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 18:34.

I know, unoriginal, but WHAT NINE-THOUSAND!?

Yes I have a WIP. Just wait and see.

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by PHX Corp on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 18:22.

Over 35000 signatures have been put on the petition so far

Watching JT on GP is just like watching an episode of Jerry springer only as funny as the fights

America has just became its own version of the Jerry Springer Show after a bizarre moment in Florida involving a carnival worker.

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by MasterAssassin on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 16:16.

I applaud German gamers for standing up to their government oppressive crackdown however it is largely their own fault that it has got to this point. They had thier chance to protest, to vote out their elected officials who supported this YEARS ago. They stayed silent and look what happened. Had they risen up and thrown out the oppressive tyrants in public office, it would not have gotten to this point. This is why we must find ANY kind of government regulation of the video game industry tooth and nail because it is one step closer to eroding our civil liberties.

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by Afirejar on Sun, 07/12/2009 - 23:37.

The chancellor whose government established the current system died years before Pong. Please elaborate how I was supposed to vote someone out of office a decade before my parents were born. What am I supposed to do? Complain to my grandparents that they voted for Adenauer?

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by Saxy on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 15:10.

That's awesome news, right there. Germans are regaining their rights, one meme at a time.

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by Canary Wundaboy on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 13:07.

"Yesterday 300 [German gamers] had signed [the petition]. Today it’s over 9000..."

Surely that's him just taking the mickey, with a sly wink and a nudge?

Too good to be true otherwise.

Check out my blog - http://serveratcapacity.blogspot.com

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by Meohfumado on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 13:01.

Good for them. Bout time Germans stood up against fascism...

"You know what I wish? I wish all the scum of the Earth had one throat and I had my hands about it."

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by PHOENIXZERO on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 10:52.

Wait, an online petition?? *Sighs* Way to fight the "lazy" stereotype..... Online petitions completely worthless, and are a even bigger waste when printed.

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by Harry Miste on Sun, 07/12/2009 - 06:26.

From what I've gathered, once the petition hits the 50,000 mark the government are bound by their own law to look at it. So not entirely a waste.

| XBOX LIVE GamerTag: Harry Miste | Steam ID: Harry Miste | PSN ID: HarryMiste |

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by Freakazoid on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 04:53.

Well it might not be the most effective effort but at least it sends a clear message to every German politician who still has the opinion that games are just products designed for kids missing the fact that this kind of game is designed to be played by fully socialized adults. At least to me nearly 30.000 signatures within just 3 days (200 alone while I am typing this) is a clear message that gamers just had about enough of this bullshit.

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by Afirejar on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 04:53.

Sadly, we don't even petition our government to stop censoring our games. The petition is about them not doing even more censorship.

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by tacc on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 04:18.

You may want to know that there was also a petition against internet censorship (of course only against child pornography...).

Over 134.000 people signed it in less than 6 weeks (the 50.000 mark was reached after about 4 days). They all demanded do delete this stuff instead of block it.

Guess what happend.

First thing: Many politicians basically said that all those people support child pornography, demand free access to it and so on.

Second thing: They completely ignored the petition (at least the 2 largest Partys, but for them it doesn't matter what the other partys says.

And now we have a law to block child pornography via DNS manipilation. You can bypass this in just a few seconds.

Take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NNG5I6DBm0

This petition will also be completely useless.

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by killatia on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 10:13.

Well that pathetic that they won't even listen to there people.

http://www.magicinkgaming.com/

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by hellfire7885 on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 06:03.

Sadly, as much as I pray to the highest powers that this petition sends a message, I agree with you.

I can just visualize it being slide into a "Suggestion box" which is just a disguised paper shredder or blast furnace.

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by CyberSkull on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 03:38.

That's pretty cool. I wonder if something like that would work in the states?

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by Ryno on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 00:31.

Coincidence, or meme? YOU decide!

Edit - Whoops, this was supposed to be a reply Puma(?).

Saying that Jack Thompson is impotent is an insult to impotent men everywhere. They've got a whole assortment of drugs that can cure their condition; Jack, however...

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by PumaFau on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 23:06.

You run out of bullets not enemies

Never underestimate the power of idiots in large amounts.

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by PumaFau on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 23:05.

Today it’s over 9000...

ITS OVER 9000

Sorry could not resist

Hope German gamers dont have to deal with censorship

Never underestimate the power of idiots in large amounts.

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by mogbert on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 09:44.

Dang, someone beat me to the post!

Vegeta, what does the scouter say about their petition level?"

"It's over 9000!"

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by killatia on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 10:06.

And somewhere in the world a german DBZ fan is saying "Stupid americans its over 800." which it actually true in very country but the us. This has been a usless knowleged!

http://www.magicinkgaming.com/

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by gamadaya on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 23:00.

Come on Germany! You can do it!

--------------------------------------------------------

Believe in something! Even if it's wrong, believe in it! -Glenn Beck

-------------------------------------------------------- Believe in something! Even if it's wrong, believe in it! GET OFF MY PHONE! -Glenn Beck

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by nightwng2000 on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 22:18.

So according to the Encyclopedia Dramatica, because I saw it and thought of it, I'm a "Weeaboo".

Dagnabbit!

It's ove.....

Dagnabbit!

Nightwng2000

NW2K Software

http://www.facebook.com/nightwing2000

Nightwng2000 is now admin to the group "Parents For Education, Not Legislation" on MySpace as http://groups.myspace.com/pfenl

Nightwng2000 NW2K Software http://www.facebook.com/nightwing2000 Nightwng2000 is now admin to the group "Parents For Education, Not Legislation" on MySpace as http://groups.myspace.com/pfenl

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by Father Time on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 03:37.

I tend to stay away from them as I always have an urge to go to their "offended" page (for those of you who don't know, it's the page they tell you to go to if you are offended by their content, it's basically nothing but truly sick images, such as self-mutilation and dead bodies (including animals).

----------------------------------------------------

Debates are like merry go rounds. Two people take their positions then they go through the same points over and over and over again. Then when it's over they have the same positions they started in.

---------------------------------------------------- Debates are like merry go rounds. Two people take their positions then they go through the same points over and over and over again. Then when it's over they have the same positions they started in.

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by BearDogg-X on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 20:49.

I would not be surprised if they get the 50,000 signatures by the end of the week.

Geaux Saints, Geaux Tigers, Geaux Hornets, Jack Thompson can geaux chase a chupacabra.

Geaux Saints, Geaux Tigers, Geaux Hornets. Solidarity for the Saints = No retreat, no surrender. Even through the darkest days, this fire burns always.

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by Speeder on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 20:46.

We need that petition stuff here in Brazil...

criadordejogos.wordpress.com

--- Maurício Gomes twitter.com/agfgames

Re: German Gamers Petition Their Govt. to Stop Censoring ...

Submitted by Cerabret100 on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 20:43.

wow, half way there.

Go German Gamers, we're rooting for you.

Poll

Shout box

Andrew Eisen: Well, the Xbox One reveal certainly had an interesting affect on the big 3's stock prices. https://twitter.com/AndrewEisen/status/33705126448977100805/21/2013 - 10:45pm

PHX Corp: http://kotaku.com/so-the-xbox-one-reveal-screwed-up-a-lot-of-peoples-kin-509179256 So The Xbox One Reveal Screwed With Some People's Kinects05/21/2013 - 10:36pm

Zen: On a funny side note...both of my boys have already voted NOT to get the Xbox One as soon as they found out Minecraft won't transfer lol. Some people have priorities damnit! ;)05/21/2013 - 9:27pm

Andrew Eisen: Here's the full quote on EA making Wii U games according to Neogaf: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56112105/21/2013 - 8:19pm

Andrew Eisen: Xbox One may not be always on but that doesn't mean you can use it without an internet connection. http://kotaku.com/xbox-one-does-require-internet-connection-cant-play-o-50916410905/21/2013 - 7:39pm

Andrew Eisen: Polygon says EA's CFO says it is developing games for Wii U but doesn't provide that quote. http://www.polygon.com/2013/5/21/4351844/ea-developing-wii-u-games05/21/2013 - 7:11pm

Andrew Eisen: Well, I was right. Both Sony and Microsoft's consoles will be out by the year's end and both will be significantly more powerful than the current gen.05/21/2013 - 5:06pm

james_fudge: thnx05/21/2013 - 4:47pm

Zen: Just to let ya know...you called it the "Xbox 260" in the backwards compatibility article lol.05/21/2013 - 4:26pm

Zen: @PHX Awesome, I will hit those up after class tonight. Going back to college finally! :) My kids have had a blast telling ME to do my homework now lol.05/21/2013 - 4:19pm

PHX Corp: @Zen I sent you a friend request on both PSN and XBL, just a heads up05/21/2013 - 4:16pm

Zen: I noticed it with the football players when EA showed off Madden as well.05/21/2013 - 4:11pm

Zen: Is it just me or is call of duty hitting the "uncanny valley" with their nicely modeled faces and dead looking eyes? I found it distracting and seemed actually "less" real to me lol.05/21/2013 - 4:10pm

james_fudge: it sounds like if you have an HD reciever you'll be able to use it with a pass-through cable... not 100 percent sure yet05/21/2013 - 2:41pm

james_fudge: happening now http://majornelson.com/2013/05/21/xbox-one-architecture-panel/05/21/2013 - 2:20pm

E. Zachary Knight: Some reading material for Microsoft on its used games blocks. That will hurt the console more than helping. http://ezknight.net/?page_id=20505/21/2013 - 2:18pm

james_fudge: yeah good luck with over the air TV05/21/2013 - 2:12pm

E. Zachary Knight: But what if I want to only watch over the air tv? I don't subscribe to pay tv. I never will. If that is a requirement, then MS wasted 45 minutes telling me how great TV will be.05/21/2013 - 2:08pm

james_fudge: EZK it will depend on your provider, just like HBO Go i'd imagine.05/21/2013 - 2:05pm

PHX Corp: @IanC there's also a chance that those titles might be Xbox one exclusive, but it's too early to tell afaik05/21/2013 - 2:03pm

All shouts

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