Crytek threatens to leave Germany over violent game laws
by Kyle Orland 
{ Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:40PM }
Lines are beginning to be drawn in Germany's developing war on game violence. In a translated interview with Welt Online Far Cry and Crysis developer Crytek said they might leave the country if proposed anti-game-violence laws come into effect.In May, Germany's interior ministers unanimously approved a measure that would ban the production and distribution of violent games in the country. A less drastic version, currently working its way through Germany's Ministry of Family Affairs, would merely limit the advertising of such games and their sale to children.
If the full ban was passed, Crytek founder Avni Yerli said the company would probably relocate rather than change their focus to less violent games. Yerli mentioned the company's branch office in Budapest as a possible new location, and said the company has entreaties from economic ministers in England, Scotland, Austria and Singapore.
As the only internationally competitive game company in Germany, Crytek's departure would be a major blow to the country's burgeoning game industry. With the Leipzig Games Convention bringing in 200,000 industry luminaries, the German government might want to consider the economic impact of any planned legislation before moving forward.
[Via Develop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JL @ Aug 22nd 2007 2:44PM
This is really sad that it has come to this.
Ignatius @ Aug 22nd 2007 3:03PM
Economic collapse threatening via blackmail. Wonderful, why can't people just understand that morons and psychos are going to still do what they do regardless of outside influences?
I don't remember there being video games when Hitler was around... yet, he still was responsible for the murders of millions of people. What about Stalin? Or perhaps the Cambodia Killing Fields? No video games to really justify that now is there?
The Boo @ Aug 22nd 2007 3:22PM
UNRECHT!!!
Bluebrake @ Aug 22nd 2007 2:54PM
It's comforting to know that however crazy your government is, Germany is just a little bit crazier.
Abscissa @ Aug 22nd 2007 3:28PM
Best post ever :) I laughed my ass off.
dsub @ Aug 22nd 2007 2:55PM
Two thumbs up to Crytek for having the balls to stand up and fight. This is what game developers/publishers should be doing in America. Instead, we the consumers are the ones fighting the fight. Maybe the old ESA head guy was right when he blasted the industry for not fighting for it's own products in government. We need big companies like EA and Take-Two that profit off this stuff to stand up and say "listen, we provide hundreds of thousands of jobs to the American people, and we are the leaders of a multi-billion dollar industry, these attempts at violating our and our customers freedom of speech and expression must stop, or we will consider relocating our offices to places outside of the United States."
However...that will never happen. The big game companies try to dodge any issues involving government anyway they can. Maybe that will change when they lose millions of dollars in development costs (I'm pointing at you Take Two) because they just decided to put down their weapons and submit defeat when the government decided to ban violent video games.
Why ARE we the ones fighting this fight? It should be the companies that make the games all along. Afterall, the current government seems to be paying more attention to corporate interests rather than those of it's citizens anyways. It'd probably work.
Jerk Face @ Aug 22nd 2007 3:00PM
Here here!
T3H WICKERMAN @ Aug 22nd 2007 3:54PM
I would say they are running as opposed to standing and fighting. More power to them though, they can take their business elswhere and offer new jobs for another country. (once a facist always a facist eh? jk)
GoonieGooGoo @ Aug 22nd 2007 2:55PM
Anyone else find it ironic that one of the largest videogame exhibitions is held in the country that despises them the most ??
hvnlysoldr @ Aug 22nd 2007 3:02PM
It wasn't the largest until last year when E3'06 killed the big show. Looking for more big showy venues TGS and Leipzig jumped at the chance. So it's not irony. It's not a coincidence. It's not mean. It's the literal definition of words having the opposite of intended effect which is irony. Which is ironic in that ...
Publishers have too much money in their wallets over skimping E3 and this is the biggest convention outside of Tokyo.
borland502 @ Aug 22nd 2007 3:03PM
Never confuse the politics with the people. But when you combine the world-wide debate on entertainment and violence with a collective 62+ year guilt trip...bad things can happen in political circles.
Chris @ Aug 22nd 2007 3:02PM
Im starting to doubt whether the people who live in a country controle it or the government does. who would want to ban games with violence in? heck lets ban dvds and movies at it to ! lets even get rid of fake guns and swords. Goodbye violent tv programmes your getting replaced with love dramas and comedys.
who is really going to obey this possible soon-to-be law? nobody.
Abscissa @ Aug 22nd 2007 3:25PM
People who spent too much time in the 50's.
Brian @ Aug 22nd 2007 3:30PM
Germany, you aren't gonna turn into Nazi's if you play a violent game. Get over it. Punch was served!
Ganrob @ Aug 22nd 2007 3:44PM
unfortunately the politicians here in germany seem to have no connection to the medium. Although the major media outlets cover the school shootings quite fairly, the politicians refuse to put games on the same level as film etc.
even if a company like crytek moves, it's a lose/lose situation. it sucks for the employees...
mr nimblewick @ Aug 22nd 2007 3:58PM
That's what the people get for putting the "Christian conservative" party in power.
mandor @ Aug 22nd 2007 8:02PM
Well the Social Democrat party isn't to keen on the violent games either.
It's the three smaller parties (Liberal Democrats, Greens, Socialists) that have stated no interest in legeslating tougher violent games laws.
Dan @ Aug 22nd 2007 4:18PM
In other news, a real-estate agent who asked to remain anonymous said that a Mr J.Thompson has been inquiring about the property market in Eindhoven.
bm @ Aug 22nd 2007 4:33PM
Don't you ever dare to imply a Dutch city is located in Germany ever again.
Dan @ Aug 22nd 2007 4:54PM
Sorry, my geography is awful... thats one of the only places I've heard of that sounds german lol
Davinche @ Aug 22nd 2007 5:12PM
In my best Kanye West voice
"Germany doesnt care about video games"
blooh @ Aug 22nd 2007 6:06PM
people have been going to wars and committing violence for thousands of years. videogames aren't the cause
Word of the street. @ Aug 22nd 2007 11:50PM
Germany's developing war on game violence.
The irony of that phrase is simply delicious.
Well with gamers like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8pR1rZZHEs I guess Germany dont need violent videogames
Adam @ Aug 23rd 2007 5:13PM
If they do leave Germany, then I hope they come to the UK. If they move over here.... I'm asking them for a job! :D
AlexZ @ Aug 23rd 2007 5:37PM
I live in US and many in the gov't would love to do the same. Pretty soon it might become illegal to own a violent game!
I'm all for limiting advertising and sale of violent games and movies to children under 18, or 16. I'm a new father and would not like it if my 8 year old can get a violent/obsene game at my local store.
If the game stores and publishers would self regulate themselves in advertising and selling, it could be the best defense against gov't intervention. Much like the ESRB has become an industry created regulating body versus gov't requirement.
But in NO WAY would I advocate gov't prohibition of development or sale of movies or games based on any criteria they decide. I hope enough voices are heard in Germany to squash the full ban, and even the restrictions. Let have the industry not advertise violent games during hours kids watch tv and have the sales clerk say NO to an 8 year old who wants to buy Doom 3.
EvilXian @ Aug 24th 2007 4:10AM
No wonder if you put a bunch of idiots in your government - not ONE of those back row guys have any idea of computer games - but combined with a extremely stupid media (Frontal21 putting 10 years before a computer playing doom 3 ... you CAN'T buy doom 3 if not 18 in germany) and an aggressivly strong-conservative yellow press (BILD) you have enough reason as a dumbass politician to show the people, that you "care about the youth" and "forbid that filthy stuff". ****heads.