DOOM and DOOM 2 now acceptable in Germany, Berlin renamed E1M1

Landmark titles DOOM and DOOM 2 received a USK 16+ rating in Germany today. Both titles were previously indexed by the Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons (BPjM), which placed the games in the same commercially restrictive category as porn.

"We are obviously very pleased with their decision," Bethesda Softworks VP of PR and Marketing Pete Hines told us this morning. "Can't give you details yet on when they will be available in Germany. We'll let everyone know as soon as we know."

Hines explained that an appeal of the indexing is allowed after 10 years, with DOOM and DOOM 2 having been released in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Publisher Bethesda Softworks, whose parent company acquired original developer id Software in 2009, figured it would take the shot.

This is the latest classification surprise from Germany, which recently rated Gears of War 3, after both the previous installments were indexed. Microsoft is currently looking into getting the first two games available in the country.

[Thanks, Timo.]