Dead Space banning rumors come under fire
We imagine that video game developers and publishers aren't pleased when their blockbuster titles receive the banhammer's blow before their release dates -- which is why we're so perplexed by the recent drama surrounding Electronic Arts' upcoming "tactical dismemberment" shooter, Dead Space. Destructoid reported Thursday that the game's community manager, Andrew Green, recently broke the regrettable news that the title had been banned in Germany, Japan and China -- however, GamePolitics has more than a few qualms with this announcement.
Not only is it peculiar that all three bans happen to emerge at the same time, but GP points out that none of the ratings boards of the three nations mentioned have made any announcements on the matter -- even more notably, neither has EA. Also, as one eagle-eyed GP reader pointed out, it's impossible under German law to ban a product before its release. Further negating the German ban, Videogaming247 reports that the title is apparently still going through the ratings gauntlet of Germany's censorship board, the USK.
Regardless of whether this is a misguided publicity stunt, an unfortunate miscommunication, or proof that Andrew Green has mysterious psychic abilities, we certainly hope EA clears up the confusion with a quickness.
Not only is it peculiar that all three bans happen to emerge at the same time, but GP points out that none of the ratings boards of the three nations mentioned have made any announcements on the matter -- even more notably, neither has EA. Also, as one eagle-eyed GP reader pointed out, it's impossible under German law to ban a product before its release. Further negating the German ban, Videogaming247 reports that the title is apparently still going through the ratings gauntlet of Germany's censorship board, the USK.
Regardless of whether this is a misguided publicity stunt, an unfortunate miscommunication, or proof that Andrew Green has mysterious psychic abilities, we certainly hope EA clears up the confusion with a quickness.






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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Red Leader @ Sep 6th 2008 5:03PM
I'll admit I don't know a whole lot about this game, but I have watched multiple videos demonstrating the game, and I gotta say it's nothing we haven't seen before. I can understand games like Manhunt or whatever being banned, but this looks pretty run of the mill to me.
philmcphail @ Sep 7th 2008 8:30PM
Yeah, I've looked into the game a bit and its actually surprising that the game does not stress on shooting people generally in the head or decapitation as most other games put emphasis on. (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35752.html) Its not as violent as you think when all you are doing is shooting off alien claws and such.
Slayer @ Sep 6th 2008 5:15PM
That's pretty fucked up to work hard on creating a game only to find out it's already been banned. I swear, everyone is so goddamn sensitive over nothing.
Massmass @ Sep 6th 2008 9:05PM
lol, and your overzealous reply is a perfect example of said sensitivity.
Slayer @ Sep 6th 2008 9:09PM
No, not really...
fred @ Sep 6th 2008 11:04PM
"lol, and your overzealous reply is a perfect example of said sensitivity."
um... what?
Massmass @ Sep 7th 2008 3:30AM
Slayer is being far too sensitive about this rumor. Thus, his very own statement is what some people like to call, "ironic" among other things.
Slayer @ Sep 7th 2008 3:48AM
Again, not really. I'm calling it like it is. When you work hard on something that could possibly be rejected before it is out seems pretty fucked up. I'm anything but sensitive.
Phranctoast @ Sep 7th 2008 8:15AM
Why bother ever having an opinion on anything right? Slayer isn't being over sensitive. your post was stupid. admit it and walk away.
back on topic.. I guess RE5 will also be banned in Japan.
Massmass @ Sep 7th 2008 7:01PM
This is a rumor. One that doesn't make much sense and has been more disproven than proven. If this was fact then in no way would Slayer be overreacting in his statement. But to get your panties in such a bundle over a RUMOR and complain about others getting their panties in a bundle over affronts to their sensibilities is calling the kettle black. Simple.
FSK405K @ Sep 6th 2008 5:53PM
I know nothing about the game but now I'm interested.
MasterInsan0 @ Sep 6th 2008 6:36PM
And that's why they might have lied about the game being banned in those countries: banning a game gives it a ton more publicity than it might otherwise receive.
In other words, by saying, "whoops our game is so violent it got banned in 3 countries," even if it wasn't, people suddenly take interest.
guidedbyvoip @ Sep 6th 2008 7:48PM
exactly. someone at Destructoid said: "Just the fact that all those places banned it might be a good enough reason for me to now take interest in this game!"
which is exactly why they claim bannage. it's just hype.
Wah-hah-ha! @ Sep 6th 2008 5:55PM
I agree with Red Leader. In a world after Gears, Manhunt, and No More Heroes, Dead Space is nothing too shocking
Not on this scale, at any rate
Wah-hah-ha! @ Sep 6th 2008 6:01PM
Also: In a world after MadWorld, we'll be so collectively jaded that they'll have to re-invent the concept of violence to shock us anymore
Foetoid @ Sep 6th 2008 9:28PM
QFT. I've been telling everyone i know and putting it on every forum i can think of to check out the Mad World trailers. Even my CSS screen name is now 'Watch the Mad World Trailers!' just to get it buried into peoples heads a little more. Just doing my part to hype one of the goriest games i've ever seen, and its gonna be so much fun!
Ranus Studios @ Sep 6th 2008 5:55PM
A new scandal appears!
waynski1457 @ Sep 6th 2008 6:02PM
Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle, I choose you!
Megadanxzero @ Sep 6th 2008 5:58PM
What a fucking weird thing to lie about... Seems completely random, especially since there haven't even been rumours going around anywhere else, or in fact any MENTION of anything like this until now...
Personally I don't see how this hasn't been done already... The game's supposed to be coming out in about a month now and I'd assumed things like this would be done in advance.
Either way, considering the recent moving FORWARD of this game's release date (Twice...) I'm gonna go ahead and guess this is bullshit. If it was getting banned in three countries they'd probably delay it to work on editing bits out for the countries it's been banned in
Wiinterfang @ Sep 6th 2008 6:10PM
I guess they are going to ban Resident evil 5 because you are shooting african.
Capcom: WOOOOIH I can't way to shoot some Sambos.
BANNED!!!!!
RobLink (Alex Kidd incarnate) @ Sep 6th 2008 7:22PM
Sambos?!?!
Uh oh...
mr bean @ Sep 6th 2008 11:24PM
Well there's a spoiler for ya-everytime you huck a grenade at em, the monsters are gonna yell: "GRENADA!!" lol.
Solid Chief @ Sep 7th 2008 5:17AM
I call bullshit. The only reason is because it hasn't been banned in Australia; which enjoys swinging the game banhammer all too much...
So either they're making stuff up, or the game manages to piss off those countries in ways it can't do here (eg Nazi's dying after permanently killing every Chinese person while Japan is slingshot into the sun)
Got @ Sep 7th 2008 10:02AM
True or not, are we surprised that this type of game would be banned in these three countries???? NO!
But yea, America wants to become the same politically as these countries so you're gonna see articles like these within the next two years saying the same thing but with America in the article too. For all those naa-sayers....I'll be checking in to say I told you so in 2009.
Gauntex @ Sep 7th 2008 7:36PM
Well, its definitely not a misunderstanding, my site was also contacted and told us the same thing. While I would like to think that EA had enough confidence in this title that it wouldn't need to pull a publicity stunt like this. Dead Space is going to be the underdog title of the year and doesn't need any controversy bringing it down.