New Swiss Law Bans Violent Video Games

[The Straight Story]

New Swiss Law Bans Violent Video Games
March 21st, 2010 Posted in World by Eric

Swiss Flag Whilst the rest of the world seemingly stands around not wanting to poke the issue of violent video games with a 10-foot pole, it would appear as if the Swiss have passed legislation making game titles such as Grand Theft Auto, and God of War not welcome in the politically neutral country, or any games with a PEGI 16+ or PEGI 18+ rating certificate.

Specifically, the new law outlines that any game that “requires cruel acts of violence against humans and humanlike creatures for in-game success” must not be sold — thought it would appear as if the exact outline for the new law is still being worked upon by Swiss lawmakers.

Certainly, it’s a blow to the industry, but we wouldn’t exactly call it significant. Not yet, anyway. Of course, it’s when neighboring countries begin to follow suit that we begin to see quite some concerns.

http://erictric.com/2010/03/21/new-swiss-law-bans-violent-video-games/

[Arkana]

1. Um...this is really, really stupid.

We can only hope that surrounding countries realize just how stupid it is.

[Initech]

3. It's as dumb as New York banning sale of homebaked goods at bake sales.

[The Straight Story]

4. And soon to ban salt from chefs in restaurants (nt)

[liberal_at_heart]

2. I've heard people say they were uncomfortable committing certian violent acts in a game

but they had to do it in order to advance in the game. The fact that they do it anyway so they can keep playing the game says alot I think. Kind of like that French experiment where contestants in a game show actually agreed to torture a complete stranger.

[lazarus]

5. I've played some ultraviolent video games

Including all three God of War games (just finished the third one), and I've never felt uncomfortable doing anything in the game. Mostly because, you know, it's a game. Not reality. If my character in the game has sex, it doesn't mean I've cheated on my wife. If I kill an innocent bystander, it doesn't make me a bad person. It's a game.

I don't understand why anyone would feel uncomfortable with something in a game.

[Ohio Joe]

7. I've been gaming since the late 70's and never heard of that

Not one single time.

[liberal_at_heart]

8. Well you're not me are you?

I've overheard classmates of mine in school say they were uncomfortable committing some of the violent things that are required in a game in order to advance in the game. Just because you haven't heard of it happening doesn't mean it hasn't.

[Ohio Joe]

10. No, I am not

Classmates... uncomfortable committing some of the violent things that are required in a game in order to advance in the game... um yeah ok... and what games were these? Also, what were they uncomfortable doing?

[liberal_at_heart]

11. murdering innocents is what they were uncomfortable with

I haven't even stated whether I was for or against this ban in Sweden. I don't know why you are so skeptical that maybe some people are uncomfortable doing some of the violent things that are in the games. Obviously they were not uncomfortable enough to stop playing the game. Others I'm sure who are uncomfortable probably stop playing it and just play another game instead. I am careful about what games and cartoons I let my 11 yr old son play and watch. One day he was mad at his dad and wished he was one of the villians in one of his games becuase that villian always solves his problems with punching someone and he wished he could solve his problems by punching someone. Well right then and there we started limiting what he could watch and play. I think you'd be surprised where I stand on adult entertainment though. I think we have to keep it away from our children but I am for adults having the freedom to listen to whatever music they want to, play whatever games they want to. I don't always agree witht the content especially when it is violent or sexist but do believe in freedom from censorship for adults.

[Ohio Joe]

13. "Murdering innocents" ... oh please

There are perhaps a handful of games (out of the tens of thousands) that require "murdering innocents" to proceed and ALL of them have plenty of press that let people know before they buy that the content is there, not to mention the rating on the box. I'm sorry but you don't just pick up a game and get surprised by the content unless you are a moron, ratings are clear, prominent and explicit. I guess it is good that you have finally stopped your 11 year old from playing them, though your placing the blame on the game instead of your inability to read the rating on the box is misplaced.

[Arkana]

9. Only time I EVER felt that

was in Modern Warfare 2. You know, the level where you're a terrorist in an airport full of civilians and you have to mercilessly kill all of them.

Other than that, never. God of War I-III was amazing, all the Grand Theft Auto games, Devil May Cry, Dante's Inferno...never.

[Edweird]

6. That's dumb. Banning video games won't change human nature.

[proteus_lives]

12. Banning things never does.

But it doesn't stop them from trying for some reason.