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Germany’s stance on violent games has been becoming more aggressive over the past months. In response to the government’s plans to ban production and distribution of violent games, over 50,000 gamers signed an official petition, forcing the issue to be discussed in the German Parliament. Now, president and co-founder of Crytek, Cevat Yerli, has issued the following threat:
A ban on action games in Germany is concerning us because it is essentially like banning the German artists that create them. If the German creative community can’t effectively participate in one of the most important cultural mediums of our future, we will be forced to relocate to other countries.
The current political discussion will deprive German talent of its place on the global game development stage, and deprive German consumers of entertainment that is considered safe and fun around the world.
It looks like some people in Germany really do have it in for gaming. As I’m sure you already know the sale of violent games is banned over there, however a recent proposal by 16 Interior Ministers could see that the law be expanded to also cover the production and distribution of violent video games. This would result in studios such as Germany based Crytek having to either outsource development (of their violent games) to other countries or even move the entire studio abroad.
It isn’t just the idea itself that seems idiotic to me, once again these politicians are attempting to link violent video games with various school shootings, most prominently the shooting occurring on March 11th in Winnenden. Hmm, wouldn’t that be the shooting involving “true gun fanatic” Tim Kretschmer that seemingly learned how to use guns via games rather than the massive stockpile of weaponry around his home.
I wonder if this little debacle could have anything to do with the fast approaching elections this September. What better a way to appeal to the idiotic masses than place blame on something that is easily controllable (video games) than something that isn’t fully understood (the human psyche). I hope that eventually people realise that they don’t need a scapegoat to blame tragedies on, or to utilise to push your political agenda. Try the more novel approach and find out the facts and tell the truth, you might just feel better about yourself.
Via GamesPolitics
IGN has a video showcasing some of the things that the latest iteration of the engine that brought us Crysis is capable of. Watch it. Ok, now pick your jaw up off the ground and calm down a touch. This is an engine that can only truly be appreciated on monster PCs and it’s going to be a while yet before the likes of you and I will be able to afford such things. That said, it’s nice to see Crytek working on the technology of the future, today.
CryENGINE 3 will be on display this week during GDC. Unfortunately, since the Atlantic ocean is between us; thus I shall not be there to drool over every voluptuous pixel and provocative polygon.
God damn, that’s sexy.
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