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German Ministers Target Violent Games Ban
Germany's 16 interior ministers have reportedly grouped together in a bid to outlaw the production and distribution of violent games in the country.
The ministers hope to see a ban on violent games approved by the German Parliament before a series of elections are held on September 27, according to a GamePolitics translation of a Spiegel report.
Should it be approved, the law would mean that German consumers wouldn’t be able to purchase certain titles, and that studios like Crtyek would be forced to outsource the development of violent games or relocate their operations to another country.
When discussing the proposed law the interior ministers cited the March Albertville school shootings in the town of Winnenden, in which 15 people died when a 17 year-old former pupil went on a killing spree. Following the event a regional chairman of the German Police Union (DPolG) also called for all violent videogames to be banned in Germany.
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Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court 30 Monmouth Street Bath, UK BA1 2BW
England and Wales company registration number 2008885
A bit draconian isn't it, especially for a well-developed country?
And, would this equal banning almost all games? Shit, even Mario's a little violent.
I too don't appreciate the senseless glorification of sex and violence in many of today's most popular games (God of War III is pretty disgusting and morally bankrupt), but legislating morality and banning media such as this (we're not talking child pornography or obscenity) is even worse.
I know almost everyone here thinks that media really doesn't have an impact or contribute to such things, but this is just straight up willful ignorance, denial, and self-serving hypocrisy. I'm sure many that viewed the video clip with the psychiatrist agreed with the message of the clip, yet would still continue to defend the same behavior and influencing going on in their chosen form of media, just as surely as the news anchor would defend his own.
Charlie Brooker (who incidentally should have his own column in Edge) had something to say about mass shootings and the possible causes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PezlFNTGWv4
Interesting stuff no?
I read this happened after the boy was dissapointed when his parents bought him Wii Cheer. They don't need to ban violet video games; just bad ones.
They want shooting.
So even the development of violent games leads to school shootings now? It's always interesting to see that there never is talk about reforming/restructuring (part of) the educational system in a time where the perception of media in general clearly is very different than even just ten to twenty years ago. Media training, during which students are taught various ways to perceive media, should be mandatory from elementary levels and up.
Election approaching: popular band-wagons and easy targets sought. Cost to German economy not a consideration.
What a load of ill informed populist nonsense.
Do they plan to outlaw violent TV and Cinema as well?
Well the problem is they all have a TV and at least where one time at the cinema. They dont know computers and esp. did not play any games yet. It is the fear of the unkown.