Gunther Beckstein from the Bavarian "Christian Social Union" (which is part of the German government) has made a proposal to finally forbid "killer games" in Germany. The debate, which has been going on for years, was recently fuelled by the amok run of 18 year old Sebastian B., who injured over 30 people in his former school and then killed himself. Like countless other young people, he reportedly liked to play games like Half-Life and Counterstrike.
The other German amok runner, Robert F. who killed 16 people at his school in Erfurt, reportedly also was a huge counterstrike fan. Both boys however came from perfectly "normal" middle-class families.
Several important politicians now publicly request the total banning of what they call "killer games". There is a huge media coverage of the debate and the governing parties already decided on more radical persecution of violent games in their 2005 Coalition agreement.
It is getting likely that at one point, perhaps already at the beginning of next year, there will indeed be decided on a corresponding new law.
There is already a mechanism in place in Germany for banning games etc., which is the reason that f.ex. Quake may not be sold to people under 18 years of age. In the debate/proposal atm there is talk about much more radical measures. From Mr. Beckstein's proposal:
"Whoever publishes, produces, acquires, distributes (...) computer games which make it possible for the player to exercise violence (that is cruel or harmful to man's dignity) against humans or humanoid beings is punished by imprisonment up to one year (or a fine.)"
Mr. Beckstein is currently presiding the Conference of Interior Ministers. (!) Similar views have been publicly expressed by other high-ranking politicians for example two of the Minister Presidents. As mentioned earlier, the coalition agreement also establishes similar intentions.
Personally, I don't play "realistic" shooter games. However, I find all this pretty unbelievable.
It's ridiculous. So-called "killer games" (the newly established term for at least Counter-Strike and Half-Life) are not the reason for people running amok. I think.
If I remember correctly, the producers of Far Cry/Crysis are sitting in Germany - those guys would immediately be criminals when such a law passes. As would everybody who "acquires or distributes" shooter games.
Just think about it. Gosh. It's effectively prohibition. The discussion also includes more general intentions to fight perceived "virtual threats" from the internet. It is lamented that parents often have no control over what their kids are doing online or when away from home. There is talk about obliging ISPs to make information about their users even more accessible to security agencies.
The situation for young people in Germany today is very problematic, many see no perspectives for the future, there is a huge problem for them (us) to get normal jobs (not just call centers) etc. Lots of shit happening at the moment.
But I'm sure, banning computer games will solve all problems :-) young Germans will soon be clean, well-behaved little wunderkinds again. Jawohl mein Herr!
Are you feeling sick yet?
The other German amok runner, Robert F. who killed 16 people at his school in Erfurt, reportedly also was a huge counterstrike fan. Both boys however came from perfectly "normal" middle-class families.
Several important politicians now publicly request the total banning of what they call "killer games". There is a huge media coverage of the debate and the governing parties already decided on more radical persecution of violent games in their 2005 Coalition agreement.
It is getting likely that at one point, perhaps already at the beginning of next year, there will indeed be decided on a corresponding new law.
There is already a mechanism in place in Germany for banning games etc., which is the reason that f.ex. Quake may not be sold to people under 18 years of age. In the debate/proposal atm there is talk about much more radical measures. From Mr. Beckstein's proposal:
"Whoever publishes, produces, acquires, distributes (...) computer games which make it possible for the player to exercise violence (that is cruel or harmful to man's dignity) against humans or humanoid beings is punished by imprisonment up to one year (or a fine.)"
Mr. Beckstein is currently presiding the Conference of Interior Ministers. (!) Similar views have been publicly expressed by other high-ranking politicians for example two of the Minister Presidents. As mentioned earlier, the coalition agreement also establishes similar intentions.
Personally, I don't play "realistic" shooter games. However, I find all this pretty unbelievable.
It's ridiculous. So-called "killer games" (the newly established term for at least Counter-Strike and Half-Life) are not the reason for people running amok. I think.
If I remember correctly, the producers of Far Cry/Crysis are sitting in Germany - those guys would immediately be criminals when such a law passes. As would everybody who "acquires or distributes" shooter games.
Just think about it. Gosh. It's effectively prohibition. The discussion also includes more general intentions to fight perceived "virtual threats" from the internet. It is lamented that parents often have no control over what their kids are doing online or when away from home. There is talk about obliging ISPs to make information about their users even more accessible to security agencies.
The situation for young people in Germany today is very problematic, many see no perspectives for the future, there is a huge problem for them (us) to get normal jobs (not just call centers) etc. Lots of shit happening at the moment.
But I'm sure, banning computer games will solve all problems :-) young Germans will soon be clean, well-behaved little wunderkinds again. Jawohl mein Herr!
Are you feeling sick yet?
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