Crytek threatens to leave Germany over violent game laws

This is really sad that it has come to this.

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?

It's comforting to know that however crazy your government is, Germany is just a little bit crazier.

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.

Anyone else find it ironic that one of the largest videogame exhibitions is held in the country that despises them the most ??

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.

Germany, you aren't gonna turn into Nazi's if you play a violent game. Get over it. Punch was served!

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...

That's what the people get for putting the "Christian conservative" party in power.

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.

In my best Kanye West voice

"Germany doesnt care about video games"

people have been going to wars and committing violence for thousands of years. videogames aren't the cause

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

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

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.

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.