Dead Rising 3 removed from Xbox One launch after rating denial in Germany

Dead Rising 3 will not be available at launch for the Xbox One console in Germany because the game has been refused an age-rating in the country.

The Bundepr�fstelle f�r Jugendgef�hrende Medien (BPJM) refused an age-rating to the game but did not clarify the reasoning. The likely reason is for the violent content of Dead Rising 3, as the BPJM can be very strict on age ratings for games depicting acts of violence.

"Dead Rising 3 will not be released in Germany as part of the Xbox One launch line-up on November 22, having been unable to attain an age-rating upon review by BPJM (Bundepr�fstelle f�r Jugendgef�hrende Medien), the country's entertainment software self-regulation body," a Microsoft representative said.

"While Microsoft is disappointed with this decision, we respect the views of the review panel and have withdrawn Dead Rising 3 from Germany's Xbox One launch line-up."

The news was reported by Games Welt (German).

(via: GI.biz)

Written by: James Delahunty @ 12 Oct 2013 17:46

stardata

I see the nanny-state of Germany is still alive and vibrant. It's only a game for gods sake, put an 18 certificate on it and be done with it.

It's getting the same in all EU countries now, it's like your nanny or grandma telling you that you cannot do anything unless nanny says so, were all being wrapped up in cotton wool, and were suffocating.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xkDNvuIvSQ

13.10.2013 07:42 #1

Dela

Originally posted by stardata: I see the nanny-state of Germany is still alive and vibrant. It's only a game for gods sake, put an 18 certificate on it and be done with it.

It's getting the same in all EU countries now, it's like your nanny or grandma telling you that you cannot do anything unless nanny says so, were all being wrapped up in cotton wool, and were suffocating.
Actually this is more of a Germany thing due to its history. Ratings agencies seem to be more harsh on violence, than on sex for example. If you look up certain videos about WWII or Nazis on YouTube's German site, you'll probably find that they aren't available in the country either. So Germany is particularly harsh in cases like this.

I think what you said applies to every first world country at the moment though, rather than being confined to the EU. There seems to be a surge of political correctness philosophy that is spilling over into politics, and that's how you get bizarre anti-blasphemy laws or blocklists for porn and so on. Some things deserve control.. such as the recent ban on revenge porn in some U.S. states.. I support that because it is somebody being victimized in a disgusting public way, yet then you also have a story from the weekend where Amazon removed self-published ebooks on topics like incest, or bestiality or rape or whatever.... as disgusting as that content is, the victims are FICTIONAL, and therefore I can't support a "book ban". After all, you can buy Mein Kampf on Amazon and I think you should be perfectly entitled to.

Everywhere you go you will find people who seek to use the law as a means of social control, whether it be Christians, Muslims, Feminists etc. or any group motivated by a belief in a philosophy. Just watch almost ANY political debate over any issue and you'll find this back and forth about what way we should restrict people in society.. when you think about it, almost all lawmaking is a limitation of personal liberty at some level. At the end of the day it's about striking the right balance between the rights of the individual and the rights of the collective. Social order must be maintained but not at the cost of a police state, for example....

I've gone on too long ;-)

13.10.2013 09:48 #2

s_c47

The Bundepr�fstelle f�r Jugendgef�hrende Medien?

Someone told me once that theres a right and wrong, and that punishment would come to those
who dare to cross the line.
But it must not be true for jerk-offs like you.
Maybe it takes longer to catch a total asshole.

30.10.2013 18:26 #3

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