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G.O.W. banned in Germany

A few months ago there was trouble over Dead Rising in Germany, getting into trouble for its excessive violence. Now it appears that Epic's upcoming horror-shooter, Gears of War, will be banned from the German market.
German USK, responsible for videogame ratings, refused to give the game a rating, despite several submissions from Microsoft. Microsoft and Epic decided not to make a less-violent version for the German market because it would "fundamentally change the gameplay", resulting in compatibility issues with different versions on Xbox Live.

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Captain Tuttle - contributor
Published: 1167 days 4 hours ago | News | Xbox 360 | Industry News

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MJ23007 - 1167 days 4 hours ago

1 - WOW

This is what happens when you live under a socialistic government, this is what the democrats want for us in the US. Soon u too wont be able to play GOW

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dikturbo - 1166 days 23 hours ago

1.1 - Read a Paper

Not the Democrats, it would be the bible thumping Republicans that would enact a fool censorship ruling like that. The Republicans are so far up the church's ass you don't know where the head begins.
I agree with the comment though. This is not good for gaming in general.

Anyone else getting the hypocrisy of the former nazi regime restricting a violent game. Life offers us such cruel irony. Import it I guess.

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willymcd - 1166 days 20 hours ago

1.2 - the last time religion ruled it was called the dark ages.

i agree christian conservatives are trying to destroy progress and censure everything.
and the bad thing is that the majority in political office, are strongly influenced by religion, even the Democrats, $crew Democrats and republicans, start voting for independents.
but there is another force along with religion and the fcc, irrational mothers who look past their bad parenting and blame media. Then there are really just those psychos out there who really might start killing people with an umbrella because he saw it on dead rising. but the dude is obviously a nut, just because a game gives an idea how to kill someone doesn't mean the game is telling him killing is good, you have to be a nut to get that idea. It really is irrational to ban a game like gears of war, or any game for that matter.

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zonetrooper5 - 1167 days 4 hours ago

2 -

Wow they are very tough on video games in germany aren't they, well its very unlucky for some german gamers.

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Yo Wassap - 1166 days 11 hours ago

2.1 -

You should read the article in the Guinness Book of Records 2000 about graphical display laws in Germany. Obviously they've changed a bit since then but the escence is still there:

"Most Rigorous Sofware Regulations:
Germany has regulations stipulating that blood shown on computer games be green, and that victims that are likely to end up getting killed are portrayed as zombies, or as far from human as possible"

That's from the GBoR 200-, page 168 in the Technology section

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Marriot VP - 1167 days 4 hours ago

3 -

Can't germany ever get a break, what did they ever do to us.

Ohh shoot, nevermind.

The thing to stop this game from being in Germany is from the incredible blood effects of it shooting out of bodies and when you chainsaw you get a screen splattered with blood drops. Yah I can see why, but this is totally retarded of them or any country to come down so hard video game wise. Unless it encourages racism or bad ethics it should be allowed.

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4 THWIP | 1167 days 4 hours ago - comment has been reported as SPAM -

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Marriot VP - 1167 days 3 hours ago

4.1 -

so your not only a fanboy moron, but a racist too

somebody vote spam/off for this fool

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zonetrooper5 - 1167 days 4 hours ago

5 - Still though...

They would be crying as i keep on killing them over and over again but now i don't have to listen to them over the headset as they will cry themselves to sleep this november.

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BrotherSic - 1167 days 4 hours ago

6 -

Its funny as I am currently living in Leipzig, Germany and they have pre order boxs for GOW in all the game shops.

I have no idea though how someone can decide what an adult can play or can not play.

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USMChardcharger - 1167 days 2 hours ago

6.1 -

i agree on the adult comment.

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kingboy - 1167 days 3 hours ago

7 -

to hell with them just command it online and viola!Many germans do speak english anyway..

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TheMART at Xboxkings - 1167 days 3 hours ago

8 -

Haha stupid German politics. Is this all a consequence from the WII (no not the Wii, you know what I mean) and now they want to restrict all violence or something?

I can't think of other reasons for real. Glad I am living in the Netherlands speaking Dutch, right not Deutsch and we're not a province of Germany although some Germans still think it is by speaking German not trying to speak Dutch or English.

But wel... I guess I'd should say then: Ich möchte gerne meine fahrad zurruck! Just joking, it's bad if this really is the case.

That Gears can't be sold in Germany. Porno may be sold, horror movies may be sold, but a game above 18 may not?

STRANGE

Good to read they're available in Leipzig though

@ Kingboy I guess you don't run into many Germans overhere I guess?? They can't or don't want to speak English and if they do they sound bad, many times as worse as Arnold Schwarzenegger. No offence to any German overhere that speaks it right but in Summer I get mad by the people parking all over the city speaking no English at all

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BrotherSic - 1167 days 2 hours ago

8.1 -

Personally I have found that nearly all young germans (under 25) speak English. Their English is usually very good as well.

At GC everything was in English from Speeches to directions. I truely admire the language skills of my fellow Spreadshirt.net (Shameless pun)workers and wish that I had receive better language education whilst at school.

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Sidherich - 1167 days 2 hours ago

8.2 - Games Convention Developer Conference

yep all speeches were in english and i only attended one session were the speaker was hardly able to express himself properly. I almost fell asleep during that lesson. But nevertheless he did a great job at trying :)

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Gamer13 - 1167 days 3 hours ago

9 - Happy i don,t live in german.

Sad day for german gamers who want GOW.

IM OUT.

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sparco - 1167 days 3 hours ago

9.1 - why?

Can i just ask why you have to put "IM OUT" at the end of every post? It sounds sad.

I feel sorry for Germany btw. But if ya wanna hear my real feelings, read #12
:-P

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Boink - 1167 days 3 hours ago

10 - weirdo

german porn is some of the sickest stuff on the planet...and yet somehow GOW is bad?

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10.1 THWIP | 1167 days 3 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

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Boink - 1167 days 3 hours ago

10.2 - lolz

I walked right into that one:)

but seriously, remeber southpark and the german films cartman's mom used to do?

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kmis87 - 1167 days 1 hour ago

10.3 -

That was so sick in the movie! South Park is one of my favorite shows on television. New episode tonight!

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Jenzo - 1167 days 3 hours ago

11 - MJ23007

"This is what happens when you live under a socialistic government, this is what the democrats want for us in the US. Soon u too wont be able to play GOW"

Germany isn't run by socialists. Maybe you should ask your president to do what your country does best, invade Germany and force them to do as you say. And while you're at it, throw in some concentration ca...i mean "military prisons" like Guantanamo too.

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USMChardcharger - 1167 days 2 hours ago

11.1 -

you know, i debated on weather or not to even say anything.

i am a US MARINE and i have brothers dying everyday for someone they don't even know.

our country send young men and women into harms way for others and they are willing to do so.

i know that some of you from other countries don't believe that. but if you only know what was really in our hearts.

and have you asked anyone living in Iraq if they are glad or not we are there?

if you where there, you might be singing a different tune.

and don't freakn forget we are holding people because our freakn country was ATTACKED. (o, iam sorry we should just forget about that)

i know that you where mad at MJ23007. but don't drag my President or my country into your insults when you don't know what the hell you are talking about.

what would you do if you where the President (who was just elected) and your country was attacked for the fist time since Pear Harbor.

you are just jumping on the band wagon. or the cool thing to do, which is to say US sucks and so does President Bush.

It makes me sooo mad. and all the money and aid we give away, for others instead of using it to help ourselves.

i am done with this topic...i won't respond.

sorry to everyone else about my rant. please do excuse me.

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Sidherich - 1167 days 1 hour ago

11.2 - @USMChardcharger

yep i can understand your point as a former soldier myself (reservist now).

i think there are always lots of viewpoints to a specific topic and i always try to see all of them. I must confess that i normally fail doing so.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

following scientific researches i would say that neither of us can tell truth but rather all people of all the countries involved averaged know the truth.

you see i have just way too many bubbles to carry around... sorry <.<

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Schmitty07 - 1167 days ago

11.3 - Wow!

Who really cares about those terorists down in Guantanomo? If they weren't there they would be shooting at our troops in the Middle East or killing American citizens.

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sjappie - 1166 days 22 hours ago

11.4 - Yo big bad marine

The 911-attacks were setup by the Bush administration so that they would have a reason to go to war. It's very sad, but you and your brothers are dying in Irak just to get Bush and his posse of criminals money and power.It's about time Americans open their eyes and see truth.Just ad up all the facts and you'll know it's true. Go to "whatreallyhappened.com. Ps I respect you guys in the army but you're fighting for an "evil" cause to put it in Bush' terms.

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willymcd - 1166 days 20 hours ago

11.5 - history!

if any of those retards in washington ever studied military history, this whole thing would be a lot better. the thing i like to is how some of them try to deny that this is like anything in history.
but obviously they are not familiar with clausewitz who is the king of military stratagy! also it looks like they have missed the lessons learned in vietnam (especially vietnam and westmoreland's extremely bad tactics which are being used again) and countless other wars and skermishes.
there have been so many bad decisions, and so many people who are not qualified for anything put in possitions of power.

I also like how out military people and the supporters of the war believe that they are fighting for democracy and freedom, wake up you fools, your making things worse, and the longer we fight the more freedoms we lose!

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11.6 DoubleThree | 1166 days 14 hours ago - comment has been reported as SPAM -

12 sparco | 1167 days 3 hours ago - comment has been reported as SPAM -

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Shenmue Legacy - 1167 days 3 hours ago

13 -

You know, I've been wondering whats wrong with us. I mean, to cut someone up with a chainsaw!
We're all sick bastards.
Maybe Game developers should be trying to create games that arn't as controversial. Look at Nintendo - never controversial, yet they make some of the best games in the world. They don't affend anyone, they don't get banned, and the whole family can enjoy them. Adult games shouldn't always = hardcore violence. Actually makes me realize how juvenile our hobby is...

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RBlaze - 1167 days 3 hours ago

13.1 -

I dunno man... that 'Luigi' fellow offended me on so many levels!

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13.2 THWIP | 1167 days 3 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

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RBlaze - 1167 days 3 hours ago

13.3 -

.

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13.4 THWIP | 1167 days 3 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

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Sidherich - 1167 days 3 hours ago

14 - a little misconception

It is NOT the case that the game couldn't be sold here in germany. It is the case that Microsoft has a policy against selling this game here.

let me start at the basics:

the USK is there to test the games similar to the ESRB. A game can get USK0, USK6, USK12, USK16 and USK18 or the USK can not rate it at all.
This has two consequences:

1. You can only buy it if you are 18 or older

2. You are not allowed to give or show it to minors

This has one major consequence: The game isnt allowed to be displayed in public stores accassible by minors. It is howewer possible to ask the cleric directly for it and he could, after verifying your age, sell it to you. The game/movie is said to be "on the index" then.

There are few cases under which a game would actually banned from germany. Most notably it is showing Nazi symbols (as in Wolfenstein). But that is forbidden in general with the exceptions of art (video games are not cosidered art tho) or documentaries.

So the game isnt forbidden in any way its just restricted in the way it is sold. So why isnt it sold in germany at all now? Microsoft has a policy of only selling rated games. Its part of their "protect the children" campaign i think. So since the game doesnt get any rating because of its gore Microsoft follows its own policy of not releasing it. The same happened with two games before. Condemned and Dead Rising. I could buy both games at my local ebgames store as imports. Condemned even was a localized version so i expect the same to happen with GOW. After all there are several german speaking countries where the game is released.

I for one will make it the same i always do. I'll just buy the import version which will be common (and legal) around here.

@ #1 we never were a socialistic country. maybe you meant http://en.wikipedia.org/wik... ? There is a phrase here in germany: "Wenn man keine Ahnung hat. Einfach mal Fresse halten" "If one has not the faintest idea. Just shut the f*** up"´

#4
People thinking like you were actually the people that helped the Nazi's raise to power.
It wouldn't be very difficult for me to create a name for north american people using food named after a german food which was in turn named after the beautiful town of Hamburg. Maybe adding some prejudices about people from the southern part of the states. Adding some random prejudices just for the fun of it.

But actually i always experienced people from the states (you are from NA as i have checked in your profile) as friendly and open people. I'm willing to believe that you are the sad exception.

If anyone wants to further discuss this with me just toss me an e-mail @ sog_viper@gmx.net

nuff said

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14.1 THWIP | 1167 days 2 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

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Marriot VP - 1167 days 2 hours ago

14.2 -

yah okay THWIP, this whole Nazi thing is just one big joke. And germans in no way are going to be offended if you call them all Nazis.
You either have no good sense of humor or your a problem child. Your so called "joke" didn't take any intelligent thought, that's why it's not funny and that's why it's very offensive.
I had 2 years ago when I was in High school we had a German exchange student and sure enough her visit was during our history class's review of WW2. My teacher watched as she held her head low crying etc. And after the class she came up to the teacher and asked him why her people could do such a thing.

It's a good story, next time don't be such a ding dong

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MJ23007 - 1167 days 2 hours ago

15 -

yeah guantamamo is alot like conc camps..idiot.. were murduring arabs their every day, I guess youve been their right? Yes Germany is socialist, and I have been there.

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CompGeek - 1167 days 2 hours ago

15.1 -

And I suppose you HAVE been there?

Have you seen them get their heads sawed off as they did to our citizens?

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Sidherich - 1167 days 2 hours ago

15.2 - partly right partly wrong

first of all: no germany as you know it today is not a socialist country. And actually never was. After WW2 germany was split in two halfs divided by a wall. One part was called Federal Republic of Germany and the other one was called German Democratic Republic. The Federal Republic of Germany was and still is a Federal Republic. The former German Democratic Republic was socialist until October 1990. After those two states were reunified the official name was "Federal Republic of Germany" and it still is a Federal Republic since then. Can you name any other federal republics in the world? a little tip: starts with United and ends with America.

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CompGeek - 1166 days 22 hours ago

15.3 -

Here's an even bigger hint, the U.S.A. is a democratic republic.

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CompGeek - 1167 days 2 hours ago

16 -

Socialism sucks

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SPAWN - 1167 days 2 hours ago

17 - WOW!

The German government totally sucks for this! All M$ has to do is release Gears of War with no region locks and then the people can order it online and play it anyways! Wait til RFOM gets there and the`re gonna pull the same sh!t! This really, really SUCKS! I`m glad that I don`t live there!

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Sidherich - 1167 days 2 hours ago

17.1 -

there is one region lock for whole europe. so there are no problems at all

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THELANDSOFSAND - 1167 days 2 hours ago

17.2 -

RFOM doesn't have body cavity grenade inserts and chainsaw guns.

;)

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THELANDSOFSAND - 1167 days 2 hours ago

18 - uh-oh, thought police!

damn, that really sucks. its stuff like this that made me leave europe...

GERMAN 360 OWNERS- cross the border, buy lots of copies, bring home, sell.

:)

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borgome - 1167 days 2 hours ago

19 - finally THWIP is out of bubbles

now we don't have to read his pointless rants.

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Aflac - 1167 days 2 hours ago

20 - Land of Sand, i agree

"damn, that really sucks. its stuff like this that made me leave europe...

GERMAN 360 OWNERS- cross the border, buy lots of copies, bring home, sell."

Its none of the governments dam business if the German citizens own this game--its just a f***ing videogame, doesnt make ppl go homicidal, just the greatly disturbed few.

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THELANDSOFSAND - 1167 days 1 hour ago

20.1 -

dude, i hope no one goes homicidal with a chainsaw gun anytime soon!

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kmis87 - 1167 days 1 hour ago

21 -

German gamers can't play Gears of War, but Uwe Boll can continue using the money of the German government to make his "movies." Something is horribly wrong in Germany.

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