'Doom' legal in Germany from today

Morlar

I thought this was an interesting story :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14748027

1 September 2011 Last updated at 12:51 GMT
Germany lifts Doom sales ban after 17 years



A German ban on selling Doom to teenagers has been lifted after 17 years.

The classic video game was put on an index of controlled titles in 1994 as it was deemed likely to harm youth.

Like pornography, sales of the violent shoot 'em up were restricted to adult-only stores.

The rules have been relaxed because officials believe that Doom is now only of artistic and scientific interest and will not appeal to youngsters.

However, one version of the game remains on the index because it features Nazi symbols on some levels.
Sadistic violence

The restrictions on Doom and Doom II officially expired on 31 August following a meeting of the Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons (Bundesprufstelle) earlier in the month.

The Bundesprufstelle reportedly decided to reconsider the game's status following an appeal by Bethesda Softworks, the current owner of iD Software, which created Doom.

Bethesda argued that the game's crude graphics had been surpassed by many modern titles and, as a result, the violence it depicted had far less of an impact.

In a document detailing its reasons, the Bundesprufstelle said its original decision was not solely based on the graphic quality of the game, although it noted that most mobile phones now supported far more realistic images.

The panel explained that it was originally concerned because the story played out in Doom involved a relentless cycle of gunplay and "bloody sadistic" violence that was not balanced by other scenes.

In an email to BBC News, a spokesman for the Bundesprufstelle said the key question it asks is whether a game contains "drastic portrayals of violence directed against human or human-like beings".

They added: "If the game then does not contain any real alternative scenes which might on the whole 'neutralise' the violent parts, then the game is likely to be found to have a harmful effect on minors."

The Bundesprufstelle said it had relaxed the restrictions because Doom was now "mainly of historical interest" and was far less likely to be played by children. Not least, it added, because much more realistic and challenging games were more widely available.

Some members of the Bundesprufstelle panel wanted to keep the restrictions in place but were outvoted by those deeming it acceptable.

If Doom goes on sale in Germany it will still only be available to those aged 16 or over.

The adults only rule was beginning to look like an anomaly because other versions of Doom games, such as one for the Game Boy Advance, had previously been approved in Germany.

Restrictions on "Doom II - Hell on Earth" have also been lifted.

However, the panel decided to maintain controls on the American version of Doom II because it incorporates two levels from Wolfenstein 3D which makes use of Nazi symbols including swastikas.

Let the carnage begin . .

deathrider

This has brought a smile to my face
Though I don't quite understand why it was banned for that long and is now only available to folks over 16years old. Wouldn't it have been just the same if the over 16s thing was in place all along? Anyways, nice to see the ban lifted on one of the greatest games of all times. I still recommend this one to anyone I know who hasn't played it. And I believe it's still as much fun today as it was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back then.
I must agree about the idea that today's kids couldn't care less about it though. I was playing a few old Snes games and PS1 game last weekend, and the kids in the family spent their time laughing at it... Their loss!

Grumpypants

Basically Nazi symbols were banned and for good reason.

deathrider

Grumpypants wrote: »

Basically Nazi symbols were banned and for good reason.

Surely such things could have easily been edited out of the game. I can only recall them being in the second Doom on the Wolfenstien level.

Varik

Grumpypants wrote: »

Basically Nazi symbols were banned and for good reason.

Non-historic depiction are banned.

Factual documentary or film like Downfall are ok, mutant Hitler not ok.

Violence and nazis are fine in games in Germany as long as it does not glorify either.

Sticky_Fingers

Varik wrote: »

Violence and nazis are fine in games in Germany as long as it does not glorify either.

Pro tip: Never ever watch Schindler's List or a similar movie with a German, it is painfully awkward

robinph

Varik wrote: »

Non-historic depiction are banned.

Factual documentary or film like Downfall are ok, mutant Hitler not ok.

Violence and nazis are fine in games in Germany as long as it does not glorify either.

Doesn't blood have to be purple as well?

Wossack

"A German ban on selling Doom to teenagers has been lifted after 17 years."

so its just been reclassified, from 'over 18s' to 'over 16s'?

Varik

robinph wrote: »

Doesn't blood have to be purple as well?

red blood in a medical sim is ok but large fountains of blood from enemies are seen to glorify killing as this impressive thing happens when they die.

Auvers

bloody hell 17 years, I feel very old right now

d'Oracle

Funny how these things happen.

I was only watching Machinimas "All your history" series on ID software the other day.

Gunmonkey

robinph wrote: »

Doesn't blood have to be purple as well?

Also heard that in the original German version of Half-Life, all the soldiers are replaced by robots. Never managed to confirm it

Cool_CM

Sticky_Fingers wrote: »

Varik wrote: »

Violence and nazis are fine in games in Germany as long as it does not glorify either.

Pro tip: Never ever watch Schindler's List or a similar movie with a German, it is painfully awkward

We watched the original producers film
as part of a lecture in Germany in a room full of Germans and pissed ourselves laughing the whole way through it.
Now that was awkward !

Doctor DooM

Grand, I've always wanted to go to Germany.

Sisko

I always find it amusing how Germany is so 'nazi like' at banning anything with a swastika/games with 'violence'.


They had to mod the middle eastern faction in C&C generals into an army of future robots so they could sell it in Germany.

Germany still has a long way to go it would seem.

Monotype

I wonder if I have skulltag still installed...

What about UT99? The original is still banned while the sequels aren't.

LighterGuy

that is mental! :eek:

For a laugh I checked the movie release dates of Doom and that was released in Germany along with the rest of the world. Was doom 3 banned in germany too?

ríomhaire

Gunmonkey wrote: »

Also heard that in the original German version of Half-Life, all the soldiers are replaced by robots. Never managed to confirm it

Oh it's worse than that. Consider yourself confirmed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alIBAUO_CUM

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

jesus christ, that's incredible

Somnus

I now want to replay Half Life