Germany Lifts Sales Ban on Doom After 17 Years

[Kreij]

A German ban on selling Doom to older teenagers has been lifted after 17 years.

The classic video game was put on an index of controlled titles in 1994 as it was deemed likely to harm youth.

Like pornography, sales of the violent shoot 'em up were restricted to adult-only stores.

The rules have been relaxed because officials believe that Doom is now only of artistic and scientific interest and will not appeal to youngsters.

However, one version of the game remains on the index because it features Nazi symbols on some levels.

More at the Source

 

[Peter1986C]

After the decision was made, the people @ Bethesda must have been in a good mood.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I could understand the ban on Wolfenstein but banning Doom is nothing short of oppressive. I mean, seriously, it was a bunch of sprites effectively no different than a animated-flip book drawn in realtime. Stupid governments do stupid things.

 

[TheMailMan78]

Germany is a funny place when it comes to "morals" and such. Music bands can run around with a prosthetic penis on stage yet a red pixel that represents blood is banned. Different culture is different.

 

[Peter1986C]

After the decision was made, the people @ Bethesda must have been in a good mooD.

^^

Germany is a funny place when it comes to "morals" and such. Music bands can run around with a prosthetic penis on stage yet a red pixel that represents blood is banned. Different culture is different.

If you are referring to Rammstein and their act during their song "Bück dich" (= "bend over"), well everyone knows that one will not take small children to their concerts. While videogames are thought to be played as a family (governments follow certain stereotypes when it comes to gaming).

 

[RejZoR]

Too bad it's just 15 years too late...

 

[micropage7]

I could understand the ban on Wolfenstein but banning Doom is nothing short of oppressive. I mean, seriously, it was a bunch of sprites effectively no different than a animated-flip book drawn in realtime. Stupid governments do stupid things.

yeah i guess the game out not the right time

 

[H82LUZ73]

I could understand the ban on Wolfenstein but banning Doom is nothing short of oppressive. I mean, seriously, it was a bunch of sprites effectively no different than a animated-flip book drawn in realtime. Stupid governments do stupid things.

I see why they did ban DOOM one of the maps had the swastika cleverly in-bedded in the map design.Along with witchcraft symbol`s.Last thing they needed back then was for younger generation to ask what are those,They have been tiring to forget like the rest of the world....

 

[1Kurgan1]

So if they had the original Doom banned, did they ban Doom 3?

 

[Wrigleyvillain]

Germany is a funny place when it comes to "morals" and such. Music bands can run around with a prosthetic penis on stage yet a red pixel that represents blood is banned. Different culture is different.

Just another piece of the awesome legacy of Adolf Hitler. Though our country is kind of ridiculous in being the opposite--blood and violence is so much more generally "tolerable" than nudity and sex. Especially when it comes to children's exposure to such. I mean one has it's basis in love and life (though granted most porn twists that around and some is violent itself) and the other in hate and death yet we consider the latter to be less "taboo".