Germany proposing players of violent games to be jailed too |
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The recent developments in Germany are alarming. It would be remembered that not so long ago, we covered a school shooting incident that was blamed on videogames. Two weeks after that, the German government became vocal on its stance in jailing developers.What's happening now is that a couple of German regional governments are proposing to jail even the players. Accordingly, Bavaria and Lower Saxony recently drafted a bill that will subject "guilty parties" to a penalty and a maximum of one year in prison. The proposal will come before the upper house of parliament not earlier than next year but as of now, it is already wreaking havoc.
Furthermore, several politicians like Bavarian Interior Minister Gunther Beckstein are milking the issue, making things worse for the already worried and beleaguered local gaming industry. "It is absolutely beyond any doubt that such killer games desensitise unstable characters and can have a stimulating effect," reiterated Beckstein.
On the other hand, some of the local companies have banded together, trying to resist this proposals. Sadly, their force is not gaining ground for now. For what it's worth, at least they are willing to meet this storm head on. Federation of online gaming teams Deutsche E-Sport Bund is one of those who are openly holding their ground. According to their head Frank Sliwka, "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."
Back in 2003, Germany amended its laws telling developers to excise violent content from the German versions of their games. The amendment was prompted by another instance of shooting spree. We will be giving you more updates as this scenario progresses.
Via MSNBC
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Comments [refresh]
A reminder that after a horrible event, people get carried away by the rhetoric of a few. They should have learned thier lesson last time this happened. But no, history must not be a strong point for German's.
At first: Not all Germans are the same. I ain't marching apart.
Second: WW2 happened decades ago. We don't like to fight anymore. Americans do like to fight. We haven't been in Afghanistan nor have we been in Iraq.
Third: This guy doesn't speak for Germany but for Bavaria.
Fourth: Who the hell says anyone in Germany is conform with him? Did you read that in this news?
Fifth: I come from a generation which has nothing to do with WW2. But we here in Germany have history as a school-subject. And you don't know how hard it is being blamed for something your forefathers did.
YOU ARE ANNOYING!
To all others out there (with brains): Thanks for accepting Germany as a peaceful country (you can go blame america if you want to).
I'm also annoyed by what you're implying. And you obviously do not get the point here.
Despite the fact that I think that German politicians are over-reacting and doing the wrong things here, the cause of it most probably is related to our past which we excessively discuss at school and in media since the end of WWII.
My history, religion and ethical education lessons at school consisted to tremendous parts of discussions and analysis of what happened in our past. So DARE you to be such a smart-ass and claim false facts. The Germans have learnt their history lesson and feel an awful lot of responsibility. Period.
That's why politicians try to "cure" some violent phenomenae by seeing their roots in violent video games. And to be honest, I also believe, that certain kinds of games are absolutely not suitable to kids and youths. Parents do not take their responsibility seriously. They should be smarter in terms of media consumption than their kids, but they aren't.
On the other hand, it is not acceptable, that some hobby of many German adults is going to be illegalised here. The cause of these troubles is tied with our sickening present time of individualism. The internet does strongly reflect this deteriorating trend in our world's western society. But who the ***** cares. It's just the internet, or just my neighbor or what the ***** ever I don't give a crap about.
I mostly agree with you but that end part about being blamed for what your forefathers did is bull *****. I am white and live in the U.S. so I am constantly blamed for both slavery and taking the Indians land. We both shouldn't be blamed but people are stupid. which is why your dumb ass country is still filled with a bunch of fascist retards.
This is absolutely not going to work. They can not jail makers of violent video games, how do you think this will present itself to parliament? The whole idea of this is ridiculous. They need to take into account of violent movies and violent internet sites, and even violent people. If they attack the violent games, they must also attack the other known influences. If they do so, then they will be violating civil rights, and there would be much controversy eventually leading to riots.
your 1st point states that "not all Germans are the same" and then you go to say in your 2nd point that "We don't like to fight anymore" which is you voicing the opinion of ALL Germans and then go on to add that "Americans do like to fight" once AGAIN accusing all Americans of being the same. You *****ing hypocrite.
Oh, we don't know how it is to be blamed for something our ancestors did huh? ARE YOU A *COMPLETE* IDIOT?! You must be, because you're generalizing Americans again for one thing, and saying that none of us have any idea what it means to be wrongfully criticized.
Here's one, YOU wrongfully criticized Americans. And to go on, a lot of black people living in America are still seeking reparations and still call white people crackers (which refers to slave owners who cracked whips on them) and expect to get away with it, they think we deserve to be called ***** like that for something our ancestors did. The same thing with Native Americans, just like yougotslayed pointed out.
You're no better than the people you accuse Shrink. Remember that.
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reply to the actual topic now:
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I'm not familiar with Parliament's legal system... but isn't it wrong to accuse just one type of media that has forms of violence on it and not ALL media like television, the internet, movies, radio, etc. Violence in movies and television desensitized people to cruel and gory bits of violence LONG before video gaming came around *notice that video came before gaming*
It's an absurd and unjust accusation against the video game creators and players to just quit making and playing games with some violence in them. Besides, they say they have undeniable proof that violent video games are actually the root or key to bringing out violence in people, well.... where is it? I submit they are making wild accusations and false claims with NO proof, and hopefully this will all blow over for all the people in Germany that create and play video games that have violence in them.
The first point was about what idiot alex said.
The things I said about war concern countries because of their armys. Armys aren't opinions they are war. War of a country.
Thus I'm not speaking of individual opinions dumbstuck! I speak of what countries wanted to have (and yes they wanted it). A country isn't an individuum! REMEMBER THAT!
You obviously have no idea.
So you be quiet!
BTW: I talked to whe ones with brains. So obviously NOT you!
Get a sense of humour or get off the net guys.
Since when did Germans become such pussies? We're talking about people that invented tanks and lighting wars, and they're cowering in the corner because of violent games? What a bunch of *****? A nation that makes such cool ***** should not be fearful of violent games, but rush headlong into solving the real problem.
The Germans are gonna stop playing their computer's, it's horrible!!! No more kids sitting in the dark playing videogames all day!! No more people waisting their life's in front of a computer screen! No, it can' be! Hurry send the US troops into Germany, I heard they might have some oil that we haven't murdered anyone for yet!
Too often these days, the blame gets tossed around with who is responsible for this and that.
I will say that yes, I understand how the current generation growing up in Germany feels, because there are STILL many people in the US getting blamed for something they didn't do.
I mean, there's some guys that are white and are accused of holding the black man down, but some of those same white guys aren't even able to get up before 1 p.m. to get to their job at 2 p.m. I can see how people aren't equal, until a point.
I hear men getting blamed for what women think they should gain. It's a matter of personal opinion, but I see women wanting to get treated like women, not equals. I experience this first hand at work. I lift all the heavy boxes and climb ladders at the same time, while they go and say "Are you okay? Are you okay? Is it heavy?" Women say that they're still not equal and blame it on men, and I can see how that is true, until a point.
I feel sorry for anyone that is categorized for any negative stereotype that is bestowed upon them because of what their ancestors did in the past. Sometimes they can be funny or outlandish and insulting, but dammit, be proud of who you are at the moment if it's something worth be proud of.
NOW, onto the real issue. The only thing I can see outlawing violent games doing is making a downward spiral into government oppression. If they do this, then what is going to make them stop from outlawing movies with explosions? What is going to stop them from outlawing violent websites? It probably won't end there. What about pornographic material? What about music?
I can see why the government would want to make violent games cease to exist from German society, but in the end, it's a personal freedom that is going to be infringed upon by the government. It's another act that is going to take another freedom away that shouldn't be taken away. One little act could lead to another little act, and can lead into a downward spiral.
I can see where the first poster was trying to go with his comment, but it was done in the worst way possible, which is implying that another similar incident to WWII might happen. I doubt Germany would let that happen ever again, but I don't doubt that any government is above repressing it's people when it benefits those that run it, with money and power.
Lets not even get into the way that most Americans feel about their president. To put it bluntly, they think he's a joke and wonder how the hell he ever got into the position he's in. The only reason him and his administration went to war was for personal and financial gain, but I guarantee, they will never tell you that themselves. As far as the military goes, they're doing their job. If they don't, they're out of a job and are jailed. I've got friends that are happy to try to make peace while they're serving, but are absolutely sickened at the way it was approached, which is through war. They may be doing their jobs, but now they have to contend with bullets, bombs, and whatever else, because their boss decided that he was going to play policeman one day to make himself look better. After 9/11, he was looked at as a leader, but he got too damn greedy and went too damn far.
what i said on your post has NOTHING to do with a country's ideology or army. I was simply displaying your reasoning as faulty because you first say that people shouldn't group all Germans together as having the same train of thought, but then you go and make the accusation your trying to refute AGAINST Americans. You apparently didn't read my reply correctly, or you'd have understood that fool.
My reply to your outburst had NOTHING to do with armies or war. Only about you being a hypocrite in your wording.
You making accusations about Americans liking to fight (American Military i assume is what you are talking about) and that Germany doesn't like to fight is contradictory to your 1st point "not all Germans are the same".
So, you're saying that all Americans are the same but Germans are not? You hypocrite, that is what i was pointing out... not all this crap about Armies and War like you are trying to discredit me with (which didn't work by the way).
I don't care what point was directed at whomever you were directing it at, YOU SAID IT, and that's what i was pointing out.
Before you start trying to discredit me anymore by making idiotic remarks like "I talked to whe ones with brains. So obviously NOT you!" Maybe you should learn proper English and try to understand what people are actually saying, and not what *you think* they are saying next time.
BTW: I have an IQ of 160, but that doesn't make me any smarter or stupider than you regarding issues. It's the knowledge of the situation is what credits worth. Oh, REMEMBER THAT! (nice trying to mimic me, really adult-like)
Because parents are too moronic to moniter what games their kids play, crap like this happens.
I've been playing violent video games for 15 years(I am 20) and I don't have a single violent tendancy. I learned very early that it is fantasy, not real, just for fun.
They say they have proof that violent media makes people violent. Well then why aren't they jailing violent movie maker/watchers? Why aren't they jailing violent music artists/listeners?
I have proof that violent media doesn't make violent people. Me, and all the people I know have played violent games all our lives and never get violent.
Violent video games don't make violent people. Angry kids who are violent already just need an excuse(Were there bullies before video games? What?! Yes there were!)
There always has to be something evil...rock n' roll, D+D, TV, rap, movies, and games. Each one takes it turn in the spotlight because everyone else is ignoring the fact that they are failing to teach the kids right from wrong...and the kids don't care these days.
Give it 5 years and games won't be bad anymore..it will be something else, and we won't be a step closer to solving the issue.
just what i've been saying, awesome.
Why are you idiots focusing on the fact that they are GERMAN! Who the ***** cares if they are *****ing german, it what they are doing that matters, just imagin for once that we are the same country. This discussion was meant to be about banning violent games, not *****ing germans!
This sucks but its also very funny at the same time. I think I hope they dont bring that law into the rest of europe!!, I do also think that the world is becoming very too policital correct and is eating away our freedom to be human and to do anything. I also beleive that Goverments should look at things that really matter in life. Its like saying well if we dont use christmas wrapping paper then we will be saving the planet or if we cancel christmas then that will reduce gobal warming... its all very silly, world is not perfect and we will never will be. Everyone has done something wrong sometime in there life so who cares? We can all become better and more good but we are all different as well.
If we are all the same life will be boring and crap
parents need to start monitoring what their children are playing or watching if a kid blows up a school because a parent gave him a copy of halo then punish the parent more than the child i agree that video games play a roll in SOME real life violence among teens and young children however the percentage is low bottom line is the parents are required to be the filter here and pay attention to game ratings and make the decision if their child can handle a little blood and gore or should go play board games
i hope videogames ignite civil war so all the dumbass conservatives of the world get killed by the crazy ass liberals.
are you a *****ing dumbass?
it's the other way around! XD hahahahah
Yeah, right-wingers are usually pro-GUNS so
the Libs would get pretty f***ed.
It's natural selection, really.
***** YOU YOU NAZI BASTARDS
Asians rule!
So far we havent done anything...the Europeans? killed all the Native Americans..
the germans? killed most its "bad" population..
America? locked up Japanese people
China and Japan were corrupted by Europe...
So far no massacres/holocausts/DESCRIMINATION!
i have no idea what im talking about.
stupid white people trying to stop immigration...
umm.... didn't asians sorta pull the United States INTO World War II? Pearl Harbor ring any bells there?
... and it's pretty clear what the German government is up to again. Looks like the US and the UK will have to sort them out again.
well if you want to be specefic the Japans brought them into War. What does World War 2 have to do with jailing gamers?
Wow! No wonder every now and then somebody starts a war with all this nationalism and stupidity around here.
If some of you'd just try to think (that's the brain thingy that hurts sometimes) about it, you'd realise that:
a) there are stupid politicians (and stupid laws) in every country
b) one (ore even a dozen of) stupid politician(s) can't pass a law in a democracy (you now with people and parliament and stuff) without support from all the (more or less) smart ones (and there are some even in Germany)
c) an "opinion" should be based on more than just a quick view at an article in a gaming blog (or from msnbc). Try reading a newspaper or visit the local library.