German parliament to consider banning games with violent content

[dmiller68]

Tougher restrictions called for following shooting.

A group of German politicians have drawn up a new piece of legislation which would strengthen the country's already tough rules on violence in videogames - and could see some titles banned outright.

The new bill has been presented by the states of Bavaria and Lower Saxony and will be debated in parliament next year. It refers to games which feature "cruel violence", including first-person shooters such as Call of Duty 3. According to the Financial Times, the bill could see developers and retailers penalised with prison sentences of up to 12 months.

Germany already has some of the toughest laws in Europe when it comes to videogame censorship. In 2003, following a school shooting, new rules were introduced to restrict violence against human characters, and the German versions of some games feature green blood to reduce the level of gore in the visuals.

The new legislation follows another school shooting last month in the town of Emsdetten, where an 18 year old gunman injured 11 people before shooting himself. According to local media, the gunman was an avid player of PC and Xbox title Counter-Strike.

Following the shooting, a survey found that 72 per cent of respondents attributed such crimes to violence in videogames, and 59 per cent said they would be in favour of a ban.

Speaking to the FT, Deutsche E-Sport Bund boss Frank Sliwka said, "We have among the most drastic censorship rules for games. Now we are being labelled as a breeding ground for unstable, dysfunctional and violent youngsters."

Bavarian interior minister Günther Beckstein commented, "It is absolutely beyond any doubt that such killer games desensities unstable characters to violence and can have a stimulating effect."

Source

[Peench]

Bavarian interior minister Günther Beckstein commented, "It is absolutely beyond any doubt that such killer games desensities unstable characters to violence and can have a stimulating effect."

"...absolutely beyond any doubt...?" I beg to differ. Not to reiterate my comments on every one of these news pieces, but these types of "banning" style laws do NOT address the core issues involved. Take the same money and spend it on educating parents on (a) what games are about and (b) how to be a better parent, and the problem (along with many others) will get better on its own.

[Nolimit4show]

I gotta give my input on this Not only cause im bored but because its funny as hell. First off in that Article they said COD3 was banned. Does anyone find that hilarious because Germany is being Portrayed as the BAD GUY in that game . lmao Banning Violent Games Especially FPS games, These poor german kids are gonna go nuts. Cant play Cs or Ghost recon, Green blood? I mean can they play GOW cause they are killing aliens. haha These kids need to find other ways of taking out there stress and Fullfilling their needs of Mass killing, and if videogames are not allowed then waht else. Back To Pot, Partys, Gangs and a lot more Killings. and its not video games thats making school shootings happen, its other kids making fun of the So CALLED losers, Which in the End Become Losers because they are so mentally weak they get Seduced by words and it hurts there Innermost Feelings, then go crazy and snap.

Lil Bitchs = Kids
Big Bitchs = Dumb ass Parents
stupid bitchs = People Trying to ban VideoGames (Ban Movies instead, Except for Harsh Times, I want to see that shit)

[Applecroissant]

That would suck to live in Germany. I agree with Peench. It's the parents fault for letting them play these types of games. Now my parents are intelligent enough to know after I get down playing halo 2 I'm not going to go on a Running Riot and try to win the game against real people.