games  anime  |  toys
Destructoid is gaming news, community, videos, and sometimes love. Take the tour or jump in with Facebook:

 


German group hosts modern book burning for 'killer games' photo

This is simply depressing. The pathetic treatment of videogames in Germany has already jumped the shark several times, with the German authorities aping their intolerant forefathers and banning anything they don't like in the name of social justice. Now things have somehow managed to get worse, with one German group instigating what could only be described as a modern-day book burning for what Germany calls "Killer Games."

Aktionsbündnis Amoklauf Winnenden, or Action Alliance has set up a "Killer Game Drive" that will take place outside the Stuttgart State Opera on October 17. The mission? To encourage people to bring their violent videogames and toss them in the garbage. There's a chance to win a signed jersey from the German national soccer team, and it's assumed that the "Killer Games" will be destroyed after they've been tossed, thus saving Germany from violence FOREVER! Because, y'know, getting rid of videogames will mean that nobody shall ever commit a murder again.

As well as linking videogames to one of Germany's school shootings and using scaremongering logos like the one seen above, Action Alliance is also using some rather disturbing imagery to promote its event. One of the promotional images for the campaign shows a person throwing away a Swastika instead of a videogame, essentially implying that games are the modern day equivalent to Nazis. 

Quite ironic, considering it was the Nazis themselves who were fans of destroying art that they didn't agree with.


Continue: More Utterly pathetic stories





prev
next 50 comments

59 comments | showing # 1 to 50

Cahuatijo's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 09:21
Cahuatijo
That sign looks a bit violent already, isn't it? They should burn it, too.
Shadowiii's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 09:21
Shadowiii
Maybe they should toss their games in a box and mail them to me instead. You know, kill two birds with one stone.
Cahuatijo's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 09:23
Cahuatijo
What about my digital downloads? Is there a chance they have nailguns so that I can drive a pneumatic-powered bit of hardened steel into the guts of a hard drive?
Necro BABS's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 09:24
Necro BABS
I thought "Ze Germans" wanted nothing to do with their Nazi upbringing? Then why partake in one of Hitler's grand old bonfires?
SilversunFrenzy's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 09:26
SilversunFrenzy
They're really never gonna live down that whole "extermination of the impure races" thing, huh.
bodybreak's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 09:29
bodybreak
i'm so glad i live in Canada.
Naktu's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 09:33
Naktu
Since this is Germany, would invoking Hitler by saying "You know who else burned media he didn't disagree with?" still constitute an argument invalidation via Godwin's Law?
TopKatt's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 09:35
TopKatt
They might have a point I suppose. I doubt that Hitler would have invaded Poland if he hadn't spent all those hours playing deathmatch Doom.
socialnorms's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 09:35
socialnorms
When my sister saw Memento in Britain, people were walking out. I mean, really? I couldn't even think of which scenes were that intense. But many Europeans have a different view of violence. While we've had one civil war and some wars with Native Americans, Europe has had centuries of warriordom and violence. It's just a sort of pendulum shift that now they should be so loath to have anything to do with it.

Germany is no exception to this mindset. It may only have been 70 years ago, but you can imagine that they don't want that shit coming back. Not every German was a Nazi.
bagalot's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 09:36
bagalot
Why does it seem like Germany has something to prove by this assault on violent media? Are they really still trying to compensate for WWII?
Balaamsafe's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 09:40
Balaamsafe
I am so stealing that trash can once it's full.
Subenu's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 09:42
Subenu
Great, this makes my last Blog-Post useless...

@socialnorms
You can't explain these actions just by quoting the wars that have happened in Europe. Most people living in Europe nowadays have no war experience outside of TV War coverage. This is just a very typical "Let's search for a scapegoat for something we can't explain". That's how religions start.
Subenu's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 09:48
Subenu
Also, the translation is a bit loose. Aktionsbündnis Amoklauf Winnenden would rather translate as Activist Alliance of Winnendens School Shooting (or Amok Run).
solariz's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 09:53
solariz
I`m a native German and believe me not every german in thinking this way. Only a small part, this action was announced by a parental organisation of the school in "Winnenden" where the last rampage took place. So for this peopl it is clearly proved that computergames increasing the pop. violence level.

In Germany we have one of the hardest rating and controlling in the whole EU but for some ppl this isn`t enough they want to ban every violent game.


so sad ;(
Jesus H Christ's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 09:54
Jesus H Christ
That's depressing. I'm glad I don't live in Germany. Here's hoping that this attitude towards games and other media doesn't spread.
KrazyKraut's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 09:56
KrazyKraut
Guns and social circumstances kill ppl...not games, but i think our gov will never understand that. like my folk solariz said, the hardest game rating system isnt enough. all parents that will support this books, just wont see the truth about all this.
PJMan's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 09:56
PJMan
AAAannnnnd these people are idiots. It's up to parents to control what their kids play, NOT to ban everyone else from playing it
Nicojay2's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 10:00
Nicojay2
@socialnorms
People were walking out of memento because they couldn't follow the story. I loved it but saw the next showing a couple of hours later just so I could get a full handle on what had happened.

As for germany, their unwillingness to investigate, or accept what is happening is as Subenu wrote 'scapegoating'. I would like to see games publishers stop releasing games there (Sorry german gamers) just to see what they put the blame on next. Hopefully not an ethnicity (gulp).
KrazyKraut's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 10:01
KrazyKraut
@Jim please dont be stupid and associate our the last and the new generation with nazis, this is racism.

"...the banhammer only requires common sense:spamming,trolling,racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!"
Sexualchocolate's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 10:01
Sexualchocolate
Shit. Fucking Nazi's.
TheToiletDuck's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 10:04
TheToiletDuck
@KrazyKraut: Although i agree with you, isn't Kraut a derogatory term?
Cowboy TTop's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 10:06
Cowboy TTop
I wonder if this will include tvs too? Tv has been a hub of violent content over decades, and video games are played through tvs, which makes then guilty by association.

And what about all that real news footage of soldiers in combat in Iraq etc.

These fanatics are crazy. Ignore them.
SetoChaos's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 10:17
SetoChaos
Perhaps there should be another "I won't kill people because I play violent videogames" march that day too. These people are idiots, I hope no one actually decides to throw away their games.
CaptainBus's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 10:19
CaptainBus
A glance at the GamePolitics Article shows that this Action Alliance group consists partially of the parents of children slain earlier this year at the school shooting incident in Winnenden, Germany, which claimed 16 lives. The shooter was reported to be a fan of Counter-Strike.

This means that a significant portion of the members of this group, clearly non-gamers, are associating such games with sociopathic, violent behaviour. This is clearly irrational, but losing a loved one would make someone irrational.

I certainly don't condone the actions of the group, being as much a fan of violent videogames as anyone, and also believing myself to be a fine, upstanding member of society. I just thought it might be prudent to give this story some perspective, and explain how this group may well consist of people who are simply scared of what they don't know.

My question is; why are Germany's videogame governing bodies, such as the USK, not stepping forward to try and educate the public and explain that videogames are not morally destructive? Active communication, and pulling down the veil of videogame violence as a societal danger, is the only solution in trying to prevent groups like this from gaining noteriety, support, and a belief that they're doing the right thing.
bodybreak's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 10:24
bodybreak
Jim isn't being racist, Kraut. he's just noting the irony that while the German people try to distance themselves (as you note) from their Nazi past, this group is actively participating in one of the Nazis' favourite past-times.

ps. Germans are not a race of people, unless you really do believe in that Aryan crap. so, technically if you're hung up on races -- Jim is just like you, white.
Zantetsuken's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 10:32
Zantetsuken
@KrazyKraut
You do know that Kraut is a derogatory name for Nazis popularised by the British armed forces during the 1940's don't you?

Also, lighten up bro.
GoldenGamerXero's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 10:37
GoldenGamerXero
I don't really blame them. Like the situation in austrailia this isn't the general public speaking but those who are older and they'll be out of a position of power soon enough.
IV Backstab MC's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 10:46
IV Backstab MC
On xbox live I ran tintp a german dude on call of duty 4 and he is pissed at his government said hell throw down the fourth reich before they take away his games
HiddenAHB's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 10:48
HiddenAHB
You know what this means to Germans?
Free games to those that get there before the fire starts!!
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 11:01
Holyetheline
"Quite ironic, considering it was the Nazis themselves who were fans of destroying art that they didn't agree with."

You are fucking brilliant!
smudo's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 11:24
smudo
Oh, Germany. You so crazy.
Cheesus's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 11:42
Cheesus
I really need to leave this country.
I want to be able to look at Germany and laugh about it with everyone else, not facepalm the back of my head off all the time.
Everyday Legend's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 11:42
Everyday Legend
It's a case of the pot calling the kettle schwartze.
MkShiranui's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 11:44
MkShiranui
I hope this turns into a German version of Disco Demolition Night. Anyone remember that?
Xzyliac's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 11:58
Xzyliac
@balaamsafe
HAHA!!

@KrazyKraut
But...kraut is a racist term.

"There's a chance to win a signed jersey from the German national soccer team..."
For some reason I thought that was somethingyou would see on South Park and lul'd.
Klarden's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 12:15
Klarden
history repeating
who knows, maybe soon they will have an ultra-non-violent pure democratic party "cleaning" country of violent people. seriously, what's wrong with their politicians...
pl0x kthanxbai's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 12:17
pl0x kthanxbai
phew


germans do love to burn stuff eh?

books, video game, JEWS
Zodiac Eclipse's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 13:06
Zodiac Eclipse
Do they have a list of acceptable "violent games"? I mean, Super Mario has you stomping turtles to death, maybe nothing is safe anymore.
Qraze's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 13:13
Qraze
they'll start by burning books and games, and end by burning men.

fuck you germany.
Qraze's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 13:15
Qraze
and.....

those who can't remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
Cyber Altair's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 13:18
Cyber Altair
I love the German team but I'd never give let games get burned. Germany is doomed.
unknown user's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 13:21
unknown user
@CaptainBus:
>>My question is; why are Germany's videogame governing bodies, such as the
>>USK, not stepping forward to try and educate the public and explain that >>videogames are not morally destructive?
The USK organization does this - with little success. I think there is no money for that. Many politicians are against violent videogames so it is hard for the USK to defend such games. And game companies do many things to market their games as brutal, dangerous and "for bad boys only"...
Br0th3rGr1mm's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 13:27
Br0th3rGr1mm
Shouldn't all this start with a Star of David label or something? Straight to the ovens seems a bit fast tracked.
AfroWalrus's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 13:33
AfroWalrus
Games don't kill people. People kill people.
kefkaesque's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 14:01
kefkaesque
@ KrazyKraut

I wasn't aware comparing one generation to the last had absolutely anything to do with what race you are. If I was an asshole I'd make a joke about the whole pure race thing, but I guess I'll just imply it instead.
The-Excel's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 14:24
The-Excel
It's a start.
fenek's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 14:27
fenek
I think this knee jerk Nazi stuff is so fucking boring. Its not clever and its boring. Just about every country in the western world has burned some piece of art it finds 'offensive'. But when Germany does it, everyone who lives in the country suddenly becomes a Nazi. Its small minded and boring.
JynxShot's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 14:44
JynxShot
If I were German and a fan of Soccer and I REALLY wanted that jersey, I'd go to whatever game store they have over there in crazy auschland and buy like 10-15 copies of the cheapest shit games I can find rated T+ and chuck them in.

That way I might get said jersey without actually losing games I like.
Br0th3rGr1mm's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 14:46
Br0th3rGr1mm
I agree it's narrow minded and offensive, but it's NOT boring. Boring is NOT having someone do something totally stupid that you can make fun of. That's pretty much the opposite of this.
fenek's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2009 14:48
fenek
good point
prev next 50 comments

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!

 
New on Destructoid.TV play all videos

Loading
Loading Destructoid Videos


    Win this!
    Dive in! meetup+play for a chance to win a PC

    Dtoid Twitter    Got news?   tips@destructoid.com

    Reviews & Previews
    Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles review
    Left 4 Dead 2 review
    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Reflex review
    Arkedo Series - 02 SWAP! review
    EyePet review
    more reviews
    Chugging along with Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks
    Online Lessons 101 Monster Slaying in Monster Hunter Tri
    Hooking onto, under and above Just Cause 2
    PS3's 256-player MAG
    Rooms The Main Building
    more previews


    - The Dtoid Army is 50652 strong -

    Showing Cblogs with 3+ faps   show all

    Call for entries: do the wrong thing

    New to Dtoid? Read the survival guide




     Originals
    Chad Concelmo: The Memory Card .76: Brotherly love





















    More Destructoid Originals




     Popular now more






















    Team Destructoid   tips@destructoid.com
    Nick Chester
    Editor-in-Chief
    Niero
    Founder, publisher
    Jim Sterling
    Reviews Editor
    Hamza Aziz
    Community Manager
    Dale North
    News Editor
    Rey Gutierrez
    Video editor & director
    Anthony Burch
    Features Editor
    Colette Bennett
    Tom Fronczak Brad Nicholson
    Ashley Davis Ben Perlee
    Conrad
    Zimmerman
    Chad Concelmo
    Jonathan Holmes Jonathan Ross
    Brad Rice Jordan Devore
    Will Maddock Matthew Razak
    Dyson Joseph Leray
    Topher Cantler Samit Sarkar
         
      Dexter
    Adam Dork
    Daniel Lingen
    Hollie Bennett
    Joe Burling
    Mikey
    Stella Wong

    Josh Tolentino




     

     
      get involved

    register or login
    post a blog
    post a forum
    enter a contest
    contribute a news tip
    suggest a feature
    be a guest editor
    support

    new member's guide
    login assistance
    tech support
    report abuse
    email our editors
    read our dev blog
    nuclear crisis?
    keep in touch

    RSS feed
    Twitter
    Facebook
    Myspace
    Flickr
    Game nights
    Meetup+play online
    seriously

    about Destructoid
    advertising
    terms of use
    privacy policy
    jobs at MM
    buy our crap
    our network

    Tomopop
    Japanator
    Despingation?




    Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
    living the dream since March 16, 2006