| deathbecomesme |
01-28-2007 09:50 AM |
German law may ban video games
Quote:
Developing or even playing videogames in Germany could lead to imprisonment if a bill before the parliament there is passed.
Coming in the wake of a public outcry in Germany about reported links between gaming and violence, the bill under debate would outlaw the depiction of violent acts committed against human characters. It would apply to any video title played or distributed on German soil. The legislation effectively would put a ban on most first-person shooter, action and real-time strategy titles.
If enacted, the law could see many Hollywood franchise titles banned from distribution in Europe's largest vidgame market.
Popular movie franchise titles falling under the violent category, including the "Star-Trek" series, "The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II" and "Scarface: The World Is Yours," likely would be outlawed.
Germany already has some of the world's strictest laws limiting violence in vidgames.
Ironically, Germany's gaming scene plays host to major video tournaments where "Counter-Strike," "Quake" or other titles are played in arenas attended by thousands of spectators. But the large screens at what is seen as a major spectator sport in Germany cannot depict bloodletting during "Counter-Strike" or other first-person shooter battles.
The bill was introduced late last year after 18-year-old Sebastian Bosse shot up a high school in Emsdetten, Germany, injuring 37 before fatally turning the gun on himself. According to reports and police officials, the shooting was carried out methodically, as if Bosse were trying to advance to the next level in a vidgame. The investigation that followed revealed Bosse spent most of his waking hours playing "Counter-Strike."
The incident was followed by a post on a videogame forum that included a death threat. According to police officials, the threat was made by someone who said he wanted to murder school pupils. The perpetrator remains at large.
For German politicians who drafted the legislation, the incidents were seen as a last straw. Since Bosse reportedly was addicted to vidgames and spent his waking hours gaming, the violent link is clear, German politicians and officials say.
According to Andreas Fess, a major in the crime prevention unit of the Bund police department, which is lobbying for the legislation, a public survey found most Germans feel that violent vidgaming and the school shooting were linked, and they support banning the titles.
"It is always young men who commit these kinds of crimes, and it is always young men who play these kinds of games," Fess said. "They play more videogames than they watch TV or films."
So why not outlaw other media, such as violent movies with the German equivalent of R ratings, or gangster hip-hop music? The difference, Fess said, is that vidgames cross the line because the player is pulling the trigger.
"In a film, you only watch the scenes," Fess said.
Frank Sliwka, chairman of Deutscher eSport-Bund, a German electronic sports association, said vidgames are being unjustly singled out.
"Politicians have to do something, so they say, 'Let's have stronger laws for games,' " Sliwka said. "No one asked, 'Where did Bosse get the gun in the first place?' "
Violent vidgames also are attracting the attention of European politicians outside Germany. The European Commission has begun an investigation of violent videogames and their alleged ill effects. The EC study is backed by British European Parliament member Michael Cashman, who seeks to create a continentwide game ratings system.
But Sliwka said politicians are merely playing on voters' fear and lack of knowledge.
"Videogames are new, and the politicians don't know what they are," Sliwka said. "They have never played the games."
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Well whats every ones thoughts on this?
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