Wolfenstein PC Recalled in Germany
Activision Germany pulled Wolfenstein PC from German shelves.
Planet Wolfenstein is reporting that Activision Blizzard has recalled the German version of the just-released Wolfenstein PC game. According to the site, German retailers must yank the game from store shelves, as apparently verboten (forbidden) content--possibly swastika images or other Nazi-related material--has somehow slipped into the German version.
The news echoes the controversy surrounding the original 1994 classic Wolfenstein 3-D in which Germany banned the shooter because of Nazi-related content. However, in this case, there's no official word on why the company pulled the game, however Activision Blizzard is expected to release an official statement within the next few days.
But as Planet Wolfenstein points out, the PC version received an average score and landed somewhat lackluster sales upon its initial release. Once the game hit the streets, the teams from both Endrant and Raven were laid off, so getting a corrected version suitable for German scrutiny may be somewhat difficult.
Recently developer Crytek has threatened to move its facility out of Germany due to the country's proposed anti-games law that would ban the production and distribution of violent video games where "the main part is to realistically play the killing of people or other cruel or un-human acts of violence against humans or manlike characters." Activision Blizzard's recent recall of Wolfenstein could be related to the proposed banning, however current speculation points to the Nazi-related issue instead.
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People criticise China for Green Dam and other censorship but they have some good company. Does that mean that no game featuring Germany as the Enemy is released in Germany? There is no point them ignoring their history - films like Hellboy touch on aspects that were rumoured to be happening during the Nazi era - this is why it is such a rich seam for the developers / film makers to mine. In a way Germany should be proud of its history: Obviously the ideals of Hitler and the Nazi movment were completely wrong, but the technology that they developed along the way and their engineering knowledge are things to be praised. German build quality is heralded for a reason... Anyway slightly off topic but there we are...
Germany just want to head the United States of Europe (EU) and are attacking peoples rights keep up with the EU.
If Germans were offended by Nazi images, they wouldn't buy the game.
I think the issue is deeper than individual Germans being offended. I think the legislative bodies in Germany take these knee-jerk over-the-top stances because they want to do everything in their power to remind the world that theyre dedicated to quashing any possible return to the extreme sentiments which were allowed in power back in the day.
I can't say I completely agree with the German censorship, but I will say I would prefer it over the twisted censorship of the MPAA in North America. Those sociopaths say it's alright for our children to play intensely violent video games, but lord help a game developer if they want to show a female breast in a video game. I guess it's ok to show our kids how to disembowel other humans, but to appreciate the beauty of the human form? Never!
It's always been made clear the Nazi's are the bad guys..
Oh, and as for this..
How hypocritical some of these global, corporate entities are. That includes their political allies. One wonders whether or not this is but a pretext to something more sinister..and that it won't stop with laws being proposed in Germany.
Power is corruptible, and doesn't need to wear a swastika or emanate from a particular European country..I bet these folks behind this move would LOVE you to think that way; I bet they'd love you to fear a clearly identifiable 'visible' threat in order that they may jump on the bandwagon and act like they actually care. These pillars of the community have ties that are just as effective. I'll shut up now.