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Jericho Won't Be Edited For Germany
Despite the loss they'll be taking in German game sales, Codemasters has made the decision not to make substantial changes to their title Jericho after the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions were banned from commercial release in Germany. "'Following a review by the USK ratings board, which declined to give an official rating, Codemasters has decided not to change the artistic vision of the renowned author and film-maker Clive Barker though cuts and extensive changes,' said the company in a statement sent to GamesIndustry.biz." For a sense of what the fuss is about Rock, Paper, Shotgun has an analysis of the demo.
From either of the linked articles, I have no idea what the objectionable content is. It sounds violent, but what FPS isn't? Can anyone provide more info?
So you've get to avoid the effort (and cost) of making up new textures, possibly changing the geometry in places, localizing in German, and just as possibly avoid having to alter whatever there is in the way of storyline. The casual German gamer gets shafted, but the rest probably do a bit of illicit footwork, heading out into other EU countries to get copies there. The publisher still makes some sales, avoids shelling out for otherwise unnecessary work, and German retailers get pissed off at the government for making them lose out on sales. Sounds like a financially responsible plan to me, on the part of the publisher and developer.
Refusing a rating is the USK-equivalent of an AO rating, it's probably the console manufacturer deciding they don't want that "rating" on their system which is why the PC version is unaffected.
Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
Game Publisher: This is a sophisticated game with mature content intended for an older audience. We're not marketing this game to children.
Ratings Boards: Games are only played by children. This game has sophisticated, mature content that is inappropriate for children. We ban this game and swear vendetta against your families.
Game Publisher: What if we make the "blood" green . . .?
Ratings Board: You're right, this game isn't for children. Consequently you aren't allowed to sell it to them.
Console Manufacturer: Releasing an adults-only game on our platform is against our family-friendly policies!
Yes, Sony actually refused to sell God of War at first because it got the same rating, citing their "family friendly" policies.
Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
If I recall, Germany has (or used to have) specific rules about the depiction of blood. You can release a game which kills thousands without remorse, but you can't release a game that has one guy who loses a finger in a bloody mess.
I had heard rumors that there were some arcade games which had a "blood" switch for this reason, as well as general public appetites. I haven't seen any concrete examples of this, though.
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FROM_GERMANY
Changing games is vandalism. Don't treat adults like children. Greetings from Germany!
Actually, I find it a rather bold step to take. Politicians in germany have been lobbying for a ban on 'violence' in games for quite some time now.to date, publishers have 2 possibilities here, censor the content(what most do) or don't publish(localy).
In the future it may be made illegal to 'produce/publish/sell 'violent games entirely, (games made by adults for adults -> illegal!)
so to try and say 'not with us'(because games are are, or should be considered, a form of art) I regard as a step in the right direction.
It just means: the game must not be sold and advertised to minors. You can buy it, you can play it if you're an adult. At least the PC version. Some console manufactures have their own policies that forbid selling non rated titles, but this is not law it's just their policy.
On second thought, let's not go to Camelot. It is a silly place.
From what i know GTA 4 has an adult only rating... and it is coming to the 360 and theres no stopping it, Jericho will be out on the 360, and will be the way it was intended to be and you can bet on it, otherwise M$ would be removing the video (which itself is pretty freakin gory) and any gamer pics/themes along with it, which they havent done so that means its still coming.
Most people in America don't understand this. There is no reason for a game maker to bend over for European countries. Europe is the size of a large shopping mall. If one country bans something, or has objectionable laws, all the gamers have to do is walk, or swim, to the other end.
Write your own Choose Your Own Adventure. http://www.freegameengines.org/gamebook-engine/