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Wolfenstein Being Recalled In Germany

Posted by Soulskill on from the ach-mein-leben dept.

D1gital_Prob3 tips news that Activision's recently-released shooter, Wolfenstein, is being recalled in Germany due to the appearance of swastikas in the game. Such symbols are banned in Germany, and the German version of the game went through heavy editing to remove them. Apparently, they missed some. Activision said, "Although it is not a conspicuous element in the normal game ... we have decided to take this game immediately from the German market." Reader eldavojohn points out a review that has screenshot comparisons between the two versions of the game.

6 of 625 comments (clear)

  1. Differences between versions by sopssa · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here's a huge list of screenshots of differences between uncensored and german version

    Some of the changes I found a little fun too, like the hand.

    It's also interesting that the game is 18+ and germans are still not allowed to see any blood.

    Here's the texture they apparently forgot to modify.

    Seeing how many changes to the game and to the textures they've had to do, I'm not that surprised something that small slipped in.

    The interesting thing now is if they're gonna remove that texture, remaster, repackage and send the new ones to all stores again, even more so because the game is over an month old now and the best sales are already gone.

    1. Re:Differences between versions by Dayze!Confused · · Score: 5, Informative

      Umm, I live in Taiwan and I can let you know that they still use a reversed swastika. I see it on every Buddhist temple (which is quite a lot) and on some of the more traditional residences. It's only a religious symbol to them here, most people don't even know that the Nazi party used it.
          Of course, these are the same people that think the word playboy means rabbit and have no idea of the brand's link to the porn industry. Gotta love Asian culture.

      --
      "All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." [Thomas Jefferson]
  2. Re:so long ago by Shakrai · · Score: 5, Informative

    Your reasons for denying the existence of history are over now.

    German denial of history has nothing on the Japanese. Bataan death march, what? Rape of Nanking, what? Death railway, what? Those weren't in my history books......

    --
    I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
    We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
  3. Re:censorship by DarkDust · · Score: 4, Informative

    The law was done by the Allied Control Council and was then taken over into our "Grundgesetz" (constitution). So you can blame your politicians for our censorship, in a sense ;-) Still, most of us Germans regard the law to be a non-issue. It's meant to keep right-winged people from glorifying the Nazis. Normally, it's only an issue if you're right-winged or a game maker placing your game in WWII.

  4. Re:The paradox is evident... by psyeye · · Score: 5, Informative

    It clearly shows that you have absolutely no clue of what you're talking about.

    Being from Germany I can assure you that Nazi symbols are not banned from any history book or documentation or whatever. But presenting Nazi symbols in another context than education (or similar) is not allowed.

    This ban helps keeping Nazis under control - you have a simple thing in your hands to kick their butts with this law and others. Additionally, regarding the well known history of Germany there is NO REASON to show, wear or use Nazi symbols other than for a) education (allowed) or b) propaganda for forces against the German democracy (disallowed).

  5. Re:censorship by dunkelfalke · · Score: 4, Informative

    It doesn't even go that far. Nazi symbols are only forbidden when they aren't shown in a historical context.

    --
    "It's such a fine line between stupid and clever" -- David St. Hubbins, Spinal Tap