Kotaku: Germany

Dead Space Gets Internationally Banned

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:40:08 MDT

Germany, you probably knew this was coming, given Dead Space's focus on blowing humanoid heads into fuck-all, but you won't be getting your hands on the EA LA developed sci-fi horror game. And you won't either, certain Asian territories. That's according to the title's community manager Ben Swanson, who writes on the game's official blog "we’ve recently found out that Dead Space will be banned in Germany, China and Japan."

And by "banned" we can assume that, at least in Germany's case, Dead Space was refused classification by the Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle, as many graphically violent games have been before it.

In Japan's case, we're not quite sure if Dead Space was "banned" or given a dreaded sales-killing Z-rating by the CERO ratings board, making it essentially a money losing venture to release it in that country.

And China? No idea.

In Germany, when not outright refused, as in the case of Gears of War, Army of Two and Crackdown, some titles have their content noticeably sanitized — see The Darkness. Based on our experiences with Dead Space, cleaning up the game would take some serious effort.

You know what else is sanitized in Germany? The public restrooms. The Germans know how to keep a toilet clean, people.

Good News Bad News [Dead Space via GameSpot]

These Days, Exclusives Are A "Little Less Important"

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 06:40:00 MDT

Germany's Xbox 360 product manager Boris Schneider-Johne slightly mehs exclusives. They are so not important. While exclusives were more important in the 1980s and 1990s, he says, they are not anymore. Explains Schneider-Johne:

What we see today is that the influence of exclusive titles on the sales curves becomes ever smaller... In addition, we are in a situation where there is a head-to-head race on several consoles and nobody is super clear in leadership — especially in matters of the PlayStation 3 against Xbox 360... Given the production costs of the games, it is hardly possible for developers to commit themselves exclusively to someone...

Now Sony makes its own games for the [PS3] console, we make our own games for the [Xbox 360] console. The titles are exclusive, as they are also attempts [to] turn out the best of the console, but someone like Electronic Arts or Activision can have a business model of rarely developing for a console exclusively. Therefore, the exclusive title is a little less important.

These days it's all about the timed exclusives — well, mostly. Are you willing to wait. Well, are you?

Interview mit Boris Schneider-Johne [Golem via GameRush via Games Industry]

Leipzig GC Sets New Attendance Record

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:30:00 MDT

While the food was certainly better than E3's, there's one other thing about Leipzig that trumps LA's resident trade show: it's open to the public. And the public, they come in droves. Indeed, this year's Games Convention set a new record for attendance, 203,000 people passing through the Leipziger Messe's doors over the course of the show. That's a lot of people. More than TGS, even.

It's Not Games Convention Until The Stripper-Mobile Arrives

Mike Fahey — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:40:00 MDT

So I was sitting outside this afternoon, enjoying a cart-bought sausage in a bun between Games Convention appointments, when this car / boat thing comes pulling round the bend, filled with hooting, whistling, scantily clad women. It was like the world's most tawdry ice cream truck, only they gave out coupons for a local strip club instead of ice cream, and as you can see in the photo above, the kids don't seem all that interested. The expression on the blue-shirt guy's face is just priceless. He cares not for your booty, shaken, stirred, or otherwise. Not that most of the pics I snapped were from the back, because I simply refuse to be the guy running through the parking lot chasing a boat full of half-dressed females - mainly because it involves running. At least it wasn't as personal as last year.

Games Convention As Interpretive Dance

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:20:36 MDT

The Leipzig Games Convention is a show slathered in spectacle, with big booths, booming sound systems, and lovely female companions to distract from each game's graphical shortcomings. What you might think it would be lacking in are interpretive dance routines. You'd be wrong, as the Germans have come through in a major way, capturing the essence of the show in a four minute dance number that will inspire you to... possibly never come to Germany. Writhing and high kicking to the sounds of Video Games Live! and choreographed by Irina Pauls, this bedazzled, spandex-packed celebration is one reason we love coming here.

Germany - Ich Leibe Es!

Mike Fahey — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:00:00 MDT

Behold my first attempt to get in touch with my German heritage. Aside from the whole Games Convention 2008 thing, I think the most exciting thing for me about being in Germany was the chance to try new food. Upon arriving at the Frankfurt airport this morning I eagerly sought out German culinary delights. This is all I could come up with. Note that a McCroissant is polygonal ham and bad cheese on hard bread. Yum.

I've managed to sample a few European exclusives in the first half of my 9-hour layover, including some coffee that has forever ruined American coffee for me and a Coke product I've never seen before that sublimely combines cola and orange - two of my favorite flavors - into a product that has me weighing my clothes to see what I have to leave behind in order to fill my suitcase with it. I suppose I could just visit the Coca-Cola Museum in my hometown to get my fix, but that would mean going outside, and outside is big and scary.

This is my view as I write up this post. It's a dreary, rainy day in Frankfurt, and I would have probably been disappointed if it were anything but. In the "cool" Germany I see in the movies it's always raining, and every other person looks like they got their hairstyle directly from Second Life. Spikes, splashes of pinks, blues, purples...I see it around the U.S. as well, but here it just feels a bit more real.

I'd write more, but the airport internet is 8 euros for 60 minutes - roughly $12 - and I think we can all agree that me rambling on about the airport in Frankfurt isn't worth $24, especially with so many other neat things to spend my colorful fake money on. The newsstand across from me has a German-language Hello Kitty magazine in it. I must have it.

I've rested enough anyway. Time for me to get up and wander, trying my best to look meekly apologetic anytime anyone speaks to me in ~~Klingon~~ German.

Games Convention 2008 - The Adventure Begins

Mike Fahey — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:40:00 MDT

I've never been to Germany, but my father says it was nice.

Well, he said it was nice - he hasn't said much since the cremation, but I suppose that sort of thing would leave anyone speechless. The fact that he spoke at all after being born in Germany immediately following a rather nasty war is a comforting fact. If an infant can survive post World War II Germany relatively unscathed, I should have no problem surviving really really-post WWII Germany, what with my being a completely grown man perfectly capable of taking an infant in unarmed combat.

As you read this I am nervously sitting in an airport, preparing to take my first steps outside of the continental United States in order to aid Kotaku's Mike collective (McWhertor and I) in covering Games Convention 2008 in Leipzig. Soon my 6'6" frame will be crammed into a tiny seat in a metal tube shooting across the Atlantic towards my father's birth country, and while a great deal of this trip is for you people, I'm saving just a tiny bit of it for myself.

See you all in Germany!

LittleBigBlockOfFlats

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:30:00 MDT

There are many, many ways you could tart up a dreary, Communist-designed block of old flats in Eastern Germany. You could knock them down, for starters. Or, if that's a little drastic, you could always give them a new coat of paint. Or you could overboard and cover the entire side of the building in a LittleBigPlanet motif ahead of the Leipzig Games Conference, which kicks off next week. Up to you.

Leipzig is ready for GC [GC Blog]

Savage Moon Is A New Game For The PS3

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:20:00 MDT

And that's all we know! Because all we know is that a rating for the game has turned up on the website of the Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (ie the USK, ie Germany's classification board), it's got a 12 rating, it's only for the PS3, and it is, apparently, a military strategy game. Seeing as we've never heard of this before, odds are good that it's a PSN title. Odds are equally good that we'll be seeing it at some stage during Sony's lone ranger press conference at Leipzig next week.

Savage Moon [USK, thanks everyone who sent this in!]

Capcom Knows Importance of Foreign Business, Opens New French Subsidiary

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:00:00 MDT

Europe, Capcom's looking at you. That's right, you. The company announced that it established a new local French subsidiary called "Capcom Entertainment France, S.A.S." and has funded it 100 percent through it's continental subsidiary company CE Europe, Ltd. Established with €37,000 in capital, the focus of this new subsidiary is improving local marketing and direct game software sales. Besides France, Capcom also has subsidiaries in England and Germany. According to Capcom: "From now, the foreign home console market is anticipated to expand, and to accomplish future business growth, it's extremely important to strengthen our overseas sales network." With all the cold shoulders and looks of indifference Europe gets from most Japanese companies, sure nice to see someone is serious about the European (and international) market.

フランスにおける子会社設立に関するお知らせ" [Capcom]

Leipzig Not Moving, We Are Very Confused

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:00:00 MDT

We. Are. Confused. 2008 was supposed to be the last year the Games Convention was held in Leipzig. Starting next year, we were meant to get a bigger, badder European show in the more travel-friendly city of Cologne. We were happy with this news, we'd accepted it, were reading up on Cologne seeing who does the best fry-up breakfast. But now the organisers of Leipzig have announced that they'll be staying on, and will be holding another Games Convention in 2009. Which, if we're not mistaken, will give us two tradeshows in Germany next year. And we all know that, in the interests of good business, there can (and shold) be only one.

Leipzig Games Convention Not Moving [Next-Gen]

Europeans Find Good Use For Wii Fit Board: Controlling WoW

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:00:00 MDT

Anyone still using their Wii Fit Balance Board? Matthieu and Simon, students at German Research Centre For Artificial Intelligence, are! They've got the board hooked up to a PC via Bluetooth and are using the Nintendo peripheral as a World of Warcraft movement controller. Nice to see some folks ~~still using the Balance Boards~~ innovating.

Oh, and the music used in this video is FRIGGIN' AWESOME.

WoW Fit [Rock, Paper, Shotgun]

Wii Remote Graf Mod Looks Truly Exciting

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 21:30:00 MDT

And no, not because it raises the prospect of a Wii port of Mark Ecko's Getting up. It's because, when I look at this excellent, home-made modification - crafted by German uni student Martin Lihs - that sees a can of spray paint turned into a fully-functioning Wii Remote, I think of a Wii version of Jet Set Radio (with 1:1 tagging), then I get a little giddy, then I get a little dizzy, then I need to go sit down for a bit.

Wiispray turns Wii Remote into virtual graffiti spray can [Engadget]

Conan Conquers GTA In Europe

Mike Fahey — Fri, 30 May 2008 08:40:00 MDT

Now to be honest, the latest game sales charts out of Europe show Funcom's PC MMO Age of Conan beating out Grand Theft Auto IV in only two of three countries charted, the odd country out is Spain, which - no offense to our Spanish readers - is the European country I forget exists nine times out of ten. Face it, you guys are quiet over there. You and Portugal, just kicking back on the beach, playing Wii Play and Mario Kart.

Meanwhile, in Germany and Sweden, Conan is laying waste to the sales charts, soundly trashing GTA IV on both consoles. Seems like a clear win, but you also have to take into account that many people buying GTA have already bought it, and this is Germany and Sweden we are talking about, where Conan isn't just a book...it's a way of life. If you close your eyes you can almost hear the melodic death metal ringing across those icy hilltops as players in both countries talk about frame rates in OOC chat for hours and hours.

GTA IV Surrenders to Conan in European Charts [Next Generation]

Nintendo Not Attending Leipzig This Year

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 23 May 2008 05:30:00 MDT

We just got a press release from Nintendo of Europe, announcing that Nintendo will not be attending the Games Convention in Leipzig later this year. Seems that recent events like local shows and roadshows (for both the public and media) have "led to many positive experiences", so after E3 they'll be sticking to more of those, and ditching their presence at Europe's largest gaming expo. Strange move, what with Leipzig attracting around 185,000 people last year and all, but whatever. While they stress the decision isn't a criticism of Leipzig, it's important to note that at the conclusion of the presser, Nintendo Germany's Dr. Bernd Fakesch iterates that this decision applies only to GC 2008, the last year it'll be held in Leipzig. As for next year's bigger, better, badder Games Con in Köln, they say they'll "evaluate" the decision next year. Right. Poor Leipzig. What'd it ever do to you, Nintendo?

Nintendo 2008 nicht auf Games Convention
Im August 2008 wird Nintendo Deutschland nicht mit einem eigenen Stand auf der Games Convention in Leipzig vertreten sein.

Mit kleineren lokalen Events und nationalen Promotiontouren, auf denen die zum Teil völlig neuartigen Spielkonzepte für den tragbaren Nintendo DS und die Heimkonsole Wii vorgestellt wurden, hat das Unternehmen in den vergangenen Monaten viele positive Erfahrungen gesammelt.

Auch im zweiten Halbjahr des Jahres 2008 setzt Nintendo daher statt auf eine zentrale Messe auf deutschlandweite Event-Präsenz: In den unterschiedlichsten Lebensumfeldern werden seine Videospiele so bei vielerlei Gelegenheiten direkt erlebbar.

„Um auch Medien und Handelspartner so früh wie möglich über die neuesten Spiele zu informieren, wird Nintendo im Anschluss an die Spielemesse E3 2008 eine bundesweite Roadshow starten", ergänzt Dr. Bernd Fakesch, General Manager Nintendo Deutschland.

Nintendo legt Wert auf die Feststellung, dass es mit seiner Entscheidung keine Kritik an der Games Convention verbindet. „Wir sind immer gerne nach Leipzig gekommen und haben uns hier sehr wohl gefühlt. Wir möchten uns an dieser Stelle noch einmal herzlich für die vielen Jahre der guten Zusammenarbeit bedanken", so Dr. Fakesch. Er betont außerdem, dass die Entscheidung keinesfalls eine Vorentscheidung für die GAMESCom in Köln 2009 darstelle. Nintendo werde das Messekonzept bewerten und dann auf Basis seiner bis dahin gewonnenen Erfahrungen neu entscheiden.

Thanks Daniel!

Germans Make The Worst Halo Jokes

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:20:00 MDT

Comics are terribly unfunny by default. Germans too. But this recent Halo-themed cartoon by German artist Marunde in the magazine "Hörzu" is so godawful, so bereft of comedy, we're thinking that whomever is responsible for issuing the world's humor licenses should revoke Germany's. Reader Max, who was nice enough to send in this black hole of laughter, translates for us.

Woman: "...Our new neighbor supposedly works at a company that develops videogames."
Man: "He definitely has a cool SUV/off-road vehicle."

What.

If any of our readers who sprechen some Deutsch can help us figure out why this was deemed remotely funny by anyone, we'd definitely appreciate it. And if you can rewrite this particular comic, coming up with something that makes us laugh, we'll see if we can make it worth your while.

Army Of Two Refused Classification In...Yes, Germany

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:30:00 MST

Last time I ever give the USK (Germany's classification board) any credit. German gaming site areagames is reporting that the Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle have refused EA's Army of Two classification, effectively banning the title from retail sale in the country. A quick search of the USK's website seems to confirm this, as the title doesn't turn up in classification searches (nor do other "banned" titles like Dead Rising). Anyone able to point out what makes this so different from the 1,943 "men with guns" games they've seen fit to OK over the past twelve months?
Army of Two nicht in Deutschland!? [areagames]

Leipzig Might (Might) Still Go Ahead in 2009

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:30:00 MST

Well, somebody doesn't know when they're beat. Despite the announcement of a new major international games show in 2009, which is backed by the German industry and will be held in the city of Cologne, the organisers of the Leipzig Games Convention just don't know how to quit. A Leipzig spokesperson has told Eurogamer.de:

steht die Games Convention 2009 weiterhin im Kalender (For now, the 2009 Games Convention is still on the calendar).

Defiant! Though to be fair, they say they'll be taking a longer look at the show's survival prospects after speaking with publishers at this year's show, where they'll no doubt be told thanks, really, it's been a great seven years.
Leipziger Messe: Games Convention 2009 vorerst noch weiter eingeplant [Eurogamer.de]

GTA IV Cleared For German Release

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 04:00:00 MST

Germany, it's OK. Despite the USK banning games like they were going out of style throughout 2007, they've managed to see fit to OK Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV for release. Sure, it's got itself a retail-unfriendly 18+ rating, but a release is a release. With Australia and now Germany - the West's two toughest nations when it comes to classification - having signed off on the game, Rockstar must be breathing one deep, raspy sigh of relief.
GTA IV given an 18 rating in Germany [VG247]

Leipzig Officially Moving To Köln

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:30:00 MST

Those German insiders were right on the money: the Leipzig Games Convention is moving, and in the process getting a new name: Games Con. From 2009 the show - renamed because it lets them use the popular "GC" acronym even though the Leipzig team refused to relinquish the name "Games Convention" - will be held in the western city of Köln, which will not only increase the number of public visitors but also make it easier for industry types to get to the show. Which is all well and good, but "Leipzig" had a warm ring to it that the cold, teutonic "Köln Games Con" just can't match.
Spielemesse heißt künftig „Games Con" [FAZ.net]

Leipzig Looking More And More Likely To Move

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:30:00 MST

The show, that is. Not the city. Rumours have been all over the place lately surrounding the future of the Leipzig Games Convention, fuelled by this piece from a German financial paper that reckons the show will be moving to Köln in 2009. It's not the first time the show's been rumoured to be on the move, but it's definitely the most convincing, and is helped along today by further news that a "senior German industry source" has told videogaming247 he's "99% sure" the show will be moving, citing the need for better air links and accommodation options as the show grows in size and importance.
Games Convention zieht es nach Köln [Welt Online, via videogaming247]

German Hardware Sales Show 360 Isn't Their Cup Of Tea

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:30:00 MST

Courtesy of GfK, some sales numbers are in for one of Europe's most important gaming markets: Germany. Covering the holiday sales period (Nov-Dec), they show that while some consoles (like the Wii) performed as expected, others did not. Just look at those 360 numbers, for example. Dire.

Note: for some reason, no PSP numbers were provided.

1) DS - 653,000
2) Wii - 339,000
3) PS2 - 184,000
4) PS3 - 136,000
5) 360 - 56,000

Nintendo hängt Konkurrenz ab [Euro am Sonntag, thanks MDawg!] [Pic]

New Mario Kart Wii Info "Speculation" And "Rumor"

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:00:59 MST

According to a recent issue of German gaming mag NMag, upcoming Wii racer Mario Kart Wii will have at least 32 tracks, will feature Baby Peach and Boo as drivers, will use snaking and have controls that are reminiscent of Excite Truck's. Not so! Well, maybe. Nintendo points out:

Nintendo has not announced any further information on Mario Kart. We've spoken to the magazine and it's just pure rumor and speculation on their part.

So this magazine feature is the result of talking to Nintendo and making stuff up? That seems kinda odd.
Nintendo Dismisses Mario Kart Article [Eurogamer via Game Guru]

Germans Make Pun Of PS3 For Wii Ghost Squad Ad

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:20:00 MST

How do you know when you've made it? When the Germans, famous for their rapier wit and brooding lifestyle photography send you up in a magazine ad for Sega's Wii shooter Ghost Squad. Obviously, Ghost Squad doesn't take itself too seriously, but who knew the boys and girls in the marketing department were so quick with the PlayStation 3 puns? They don't stop there, apparently, as it seems no game franchise is spared the hilarious Sega of Germany treatment. You guys! I'm going to start wagging my finger in mock disapproval if you don't stop!

Please, no Wii Date Rape jokes in the comments. It's beneath you.

Ghost Squad: neue Printanzeige [WiiGamer via UK:R]

Fantasy Metal Meets Sacred 2

Mike Fahey — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:20:24 MST

Blind Guardian is a German symphonic fantasy metal band that's been around for over twenty years, who find inspiration in the works of Tolkien, Stephen King, and Michael Moorcock. Having lived in fantasy worlds since its inception, the members of the band now get to appear in one, as a special partnership between the band and Ascaron Entertainment has been announced. Xbox 360 and PC title Sacred 2 will feature both cameo appearances by Blind Guardian and an all-new track recorded especially for the game.

"We are very proud of the cooperation with 'Blind Guardian' and look forward to providing the band with a virtual stage in our game. For many years I've been a big fan of the band, and I'm sure the new SACRED 2 - Fallen Angel-themed single will be a hit with fans too", says Holger Flöttmann of ASCARON.

Sounds like a bunch of kids making each other's dreams come true, doesn't it? Sweet. Hit the jump for more details on this match made somewhere in the Misty Mountains.

SACRED 2 - Fallen Angel: Musical support by "Blind Guardian" Basingstoke, 5th November 2007 - Soon "Blind Guardian" fans can admire their heroes as computer game characters! As part of a unique cooperation with ASCARON Entertainment, one of the leading German developers of entertainment software, the fantasy metal rockers will have a guest appearance in the long-awaited PC and Xbox 360 title SACRED 2 - Fallen Angel. To provide a fitting soundtrack for this virtual event, "Blind Guardian" will record a special song for the game, which will be released as a separate single next year. In addition, the video clip to be produced for the new song will feature sequences taken straight from SACRED 2 - Fallen Angel.
And the Sacred world of Ancaria will also tremble with the band's rocking tunes. By solving a quest in the game, players can unlock a bonus event, in which the motion-captured Blind Guardians perform their new song "live".

SACRED 2 - Fallen Angel is the long-awaited sequel to the internationally most successful German action RPG of all time. Game fans can look forward to an all-new epic game with many new features and expansions of the popular concept. In SACRED 2 - Fallen Angel players discover and explore a vast, highly detailed world with breathtaking graphics - for the first time in full 3D. SACRED 2 - Fallen Angel captivates players with its gripping story, which they can experience in two entirely different ways (light and shadow campaign).

For more than 20 years, "Blind Guardian" have been a force to be reckoned with in the German rock scene. Many fans consider the critically acclaimed new album "A twist in the Myth" the Krefeld-based band's best to date.

"We are very proud of the cooperation with 'Blind Guardian' and look forward to providing the band with a virtual stage in our game. For many years I've been a big fan of the band, and I'm sure the new SACRED 2 - Fallen Angel-themed single will be a hit with fans too", says Holger Flöttmann of ASCARON.

"To us, SACRED 2 - Fallen Angel is a dream come true, because, like all the other fantasy computer game maniacs, we had to wait a very long time for the sequel to the legendary SACRED. Thanks to its complex fantasy world and detailed characters, SACRED has become one of our absolute favorites, and we also loved both its storyboard and the tie-in novels. It's just awesome to become part of that SACRED world now. Music, story and images will merge to a perfect whole", adds "Blind Guardian" singer Hansi Kürsch.

Nuclear Blast's York Eysel also enthuses about "this one of a kind cooperation between our band "Blind Guardian", symphonic fantasy metal's biggest band, and the extraordinary action RPG SACRED 2 - Fallen Angel. We can't think of a better way to combine the worlds of music and computer games."

This cooperation marks another important step towards joining two worlds, which without a doubt belong together!

More infos on the game, the band and Nuclear Blast:
www.sacred2.com
www.blind-guardian.com
www.nuclearblast.de

German UT3 Lacks Corpse Desecration

Mike Fahey — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 09:20:28 MST

With Germany keeping a close eye on violent video games, Midway Germany had to make a few small modifications to the country's version of Unreal Tournament 3 to obtain a 16+ rating and avoid the mighty Deutschland banhammer. While the majority of the game remains intact, a few choice changes involving dead people had to be made.

We had to make some minor changes to the game to get an age rating at all. [...] The biggest change is that you can't shoot already dead people (and they won't explode into thousand parts) and that ragdoll is disabled for dead people as well.

So no mashing corpses into a fine paste or bouncing them around the map with shock waves after they're dead. Could have sworn the actual killing people was what Germany had a problem with. Go figure.

UT3 German Edition Lacks Ragdolls, Gibs [Planet Unreal]

Wonder Why Germany Bans Games?

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 06:40:05 MDT

Sure, Germans love banning games. But, why? German fella 3r0t1c n3rd over at game blog Destructoid does a great job explaining the situation. Let's dive right on in:

The reasons for banning media can range from violence to illegal content. For example, every book about producing drugs or growing weed is illegal in germany.
So what if a game is banned? Well the game goes on the Index, which is basically a list of media which is banned. Media on the index is not allowed for sale to persons below the age of 18. Also any advertising, in media that is accessible to persons below the age of 18 for it is illegal. Same goes for import and export, for persons under the age of 18. And it's legal to sell them under the counter in stores, but (you guessed it) only to persons over the age of 18.

Games that have been banned recently include: Crackdown for unnecesary violence against innocents, Gears of War for graphic violence, Command & Conquer: Generals (US version) for suicide attackers, Dead Rising for graphic violence, Condemned for graphic violence and on and on. German bureaucrats sure don't like graphic violence. Swing by Dtoid and find out why and more!
Why Germany Loves Banning [Destructoid]

The Cars Of Games Convention

Michael McWhertor — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 17:00:40 MDT

You might think that video game marketing is easy, but it's not. It's hard. Sisyphean sometimes. At this stage in the advertising game, marketeers really only have three tactics—scantily clad ladies, alternate reality games, and cars decorated with game logos. German marketing teams who didn't want to pull a creativity muscle clearly opted for the easiest two of the three, sometimes combining them for maximum impact.

With short shorts and body paint in full force, cars may look like they're underrepresented at the Leipzig Messe. Wrong! They're everywhere. And there are a lot of Volkswagens.

We are Here (in Germany) w/Photo Proof!

Mark Wilson — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:55:42 MDT

See this picture? That's not from Google Images. Oh no, my friends. That was taken on a REAL STREET in the VERY REAL Leipzig. In Germany (Europe).

Stay tuned for more very large beers and a modicum of coverage from GCDC/GC. Beers (from Germany) after the jump.

Pilsners. Good.

Games That Haven't Been Played

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:44 MDT

Some people like retro games. Others like retro games sealed. That way, and only that way, can one guarantee that it doesn't have cooties. And no cooties means higher retro game prices! Game site Insert Credit points to English/German forum Sealed Game Heaven, which exactly that: A sealed game heaven. The site is for people who collect unopened games and is packed with useful info like different kinds of seals PlayStation games use. Fascinating stuff — even if you prefer actually playing games over looking at packaging.
Sealed Game Heaven [Official Site via Insert Credit]

Leipzig Comes to Life

Brian Crecente — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 10:00:07 MDT

With just a week to go before Kotaku invades Leipzig, the Games Convention is starting to take shape. The convention's official blog posted a slew of set-up pictures today showing off how the event center is starting to come together. Images from the Sony booth shows lots of space taken up for Eye of Judgment, Time Crisis 4, Ratchet, Uncharted and Lair. EA's booth looks a bit like the Sydney Opera House, while Blizzard appears to have space for WoW and Star Craft II.Lucas Arts look like they will be showing Star Wars Force Unleashed, judging by their signage.

While this list of amazing games has me pretty jazzed, the thing that's most psyching me up for the event is the fact that the Sony booth has a hot tub and that the hosts appear to be building a "Games Convention Beach." Did I mention this show still has booth babes?

Seven Days Left [GC]

Japan's Take on The Angry German Kid

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 06:40:06 MDT

If you've been near a computer in the last two years or so, you've probably seen this. It's a clip of some German kid flipping out while trying to play Unreal Tournament. Some say it was faked, some say it's real. We really don't care about that! What we do care about is this wonderful parody some Japanese dude did of that meme. It's great.

Also, if you understand Japanese, the remixed version is a hoot as well.

The Darkness Changed For Germany

Mike Fahey — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:32:40 MDT

Looks like gamers in Germany are going to have to wait a little longer to play The Darkness on their Xbox 360s, and the version the end up with will different quite a bit from what we're playing now in the state and UK. Probably the most major change needed before the game is released is the removal of Nazi symbolism, which of course hearkens back to a period of history that Germany isn't too proud of.

Other changes to the German 360 version include removal of four of the Darkling kill methods, and the ripping out heart animation being replaced with sucking out souls via a green mist. Weak. German players could always trade or import the uncut version the rest of Europe is getting, but I wouldn't recommend it, since possessing a copy of it in Germany can carry a sentence of up to three years in jail. The Darkness expurgated version should hit Germany as soon as changes are completed.

The Darkness: Uncut-Version in Deutschland verboten [AreaGames.de - Thanks Platinum!]

Manhunt 2 Banned In UK

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 06:00:56 MDT

Today, the British Board of Film Classification, the UK's independent regulator of film, video and gaming, announced that it has rejected both the PS2 and Wii version of Manhunt 2. Manhunt 2 was developed by Rockstar Games and is the sequel to Manhunt, a game that was banned in several different countries and linked to the murder of a 14 year-old boy. With this announced ruling, Manhunt 2 cannot legally be sold anywhere in the United Kingdom. This is the first game to be rejected since Carmageddon in 1997. We just got off the phone with BBFC's Sue Clark, who said, "We took a lot of time in examining Manhunt 2. Banning is not something we take lightly." She added that the regulatory board examines video games closer than its counterparts aboard.

Her remarks echo BBFC Director David Cooke, who stated, "Rejecting a work is a very serious action and one which we do not take lightly. Where possible we try to consider cuts or, in the case of games, modifications which remove the material which contravenes the Board's published Guidelines. In the case of Manhunt 2 this has not been possible. Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game."

According to BBFC's Sue Clark, five or six examiners played through "several hours of the game." Using cheat codes, they were able to play the "tops of each level." The BBFC was also furnished with a copy of the game's script. These same examiners then produced a report on their findings. The decision to ban Manhunt 2 was then made by a BBFC panel which consisted of Director and the Presidential Team of Sir Quentin Thomas, Lord Taylor of Warwick and Janet Lewis-Jones. Under the terms of the Video Recordings Act the game's distributors have the right to appeal the Board's decision.

This ruling will certainly set a precedent, and Manhunt 2 is unlikely to clear censorship in Germany and Australia. Hit the jump to read Director David Cooke's full statement. Brian Ashcraft

"Rejecting a work is a very serious action and one which we do not take lightly. Where possible we try to consider cuts or, in the case of games, modifications which remove the material which contravenes the Board's published Guidelines. In the case of Manhunt 2 this has not been possible. Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game.
"Although the difference should not be exaggerated the fact of the game's unrelenting focus on stalking and brutal slaying and the sheer lack of alternative pleasures on offer to the gamer, together with the different overall narrative context, contribute towards differentiating this submission from the original Manhunt game. That work was classified '18' in 2003, before the BBFC's recent games research had been undertaken, but was already at the very top end of what the Board judged to be acceptable at that category."

"Against this background, the Board's carefully considered view is that to issue a certificate to Manhunt 2, on either platform, would involve a range of unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors, within the terms of the Video Recordings Act, and accordingly that its availability, even if statutorily confined to adults, would be unacceptable to the public."

It's Like Lumines, But Not

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 21:00:30 MDT

Don't you wish game designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi would've brought PSP game Lumines to the DS, instead? He doesn't have to. Germans are doing it for him! Well, not exactly. Germany's bhv Software is releasing Luminator DS third quarter 2007 in Europe. This DS title has only fifteen skins and 15 "CD quality" songs. I'm no lawyer, but it seems as though we've moved beyond flattery into the gray area of copyright infringement. Brian Ashcraft

Luminator DS [Siliconera]

Germans Know Siren 2 Advertising

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 17:20:38 MDT

At the 2006 Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany, Sony shilled its in-house horror title Forbidden Siren 2 by handing out disposable cameras. These weren't simply PS2 branded junkers, you see. They were special. Convention attendees who had their shots developed were (probably) horrified they'd been snapped with all manner of spooky spectres and presented with a macabre message advertising the game's release.

Here's the pitch:

Snap shot cameras were developed for the Games Convention and distributed by hostesses. From the outside the camera was only branded with the PlayStation logo, but the film inside the camera made this promotion an action to remember. On every picture taken, ghosts and frightening faces appeared on the pre-expose film. The last picture revealed the mystery with the line: "The Horror is closer than you think." Forbidden Siren II. Out now for PlayStation 2.

This promotional campaign, like the fantastic "PSP - Also Available In White" ads, were done by the German offices of TBWA. More details at the link below. Michael McWhertor

Sony PlayStation - Forbidden Siren II [I Believe In Adv]

Leipzig Games Con Expanded

Brian Crecente — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 12:00:50 MDT

This year's Leipzig Games Convention, set to go live this August in Germany, is going to be a tad bigger this year around, Gamasutra reports.

Last year's show had 368 exhibitors spread over about 90,000 square meters. This year's show will have 390 exhibitors spread over 115,000 square meters. That extra space will be taken up by a Family Entertainment exhibit with information on "Children/Family Games", "Learning and Knowledge", "Media Literacy", and new "Multimedia Education", "Art and Culture" and "Training and Careers" sections, Gama reports.

Better still, this year around the convention will include a 90 minute performance of live game music featuring conductor Andy Brick and the FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague, this time covering musical pieces from StarCraft, Final Fantasy IX, Ragnorak 2, Stranglehold, Metal Gear Solid 2: Snake Eater, Secret of Mana, The Abbey, Turrican 2, and other popular classics in a Commodore 64 and Commodore Amiga medley.

I think I might be heading to this, this year around. Anyone else planning on attending? Brian Crecente

Leipzig Games Convention Announces Expansion, Concert Details [Gamasutra]

Germans Know PSP Advertising

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 16:20:17 MDT

The Germans may love David Hasselhoff, but mein Gott, do they know their way around a PSP advertising campaign. Global advertising agency TBWA recently won a coveted German Lead Award for their 2006 print campaign marketing Sony's white PSP. With the tagline "Jetzt auch in weiss" (or "Now also in white") the three ads feature an all-white Death, tarantula, and dominatrix.

While you'd maybe expect homoerotic attempts at humor fine-tuned for the urophiliac crowd to be Germany's answer to PSP commercials, that's more for us.

It's really great stuff. You have to ask yourself, when looking at these ads, how much more white could they get? And the answer is none. None more white. Michael McWhertor

PSP White [TBWA, danke Andy!]

Now Germany Gets the "Nintendo Xbox 360"

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 06:00:14 MDT

Those clever Germans! Boy, do they know how to move products. Just slap "Nintendo" on it, confusing the customer. If it works for the PSP, hey! Writes Kotakuite Stefan:

i was quite amused seeing the "hertie" warehouse (formerly Karstadt) in a small town called datteln sell nintendo x boxes. quite astonishing.

What's more, it's been marked down! Japanese retailers, take note. Brian Ashcraft

Germany Gets the "Sony Nintendo DS"

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 06:00:03 MDT

And only €149! So cheap!! Reader Tobi writes:

Two days ago I spotted the brand new Sony DS, yes it's right —THE SONY DS. As you can see in the attachment, there is a photo of a flyer from the local shop here near Kassel in the center of Germany... There is no website of this shop, but the company has other shops in other cities.

But do they have Sony Nintendo DSes, too? Brian Ashcraft