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Once again Germany needs the worlds help photo

If you've been following my intrepid coverage of the situation in Germany (I've appointed myself Destructoid's German correspondent on weekends) then you know that the German government is attempting to ban the sale and production of violent videogames in Germany. The law would put a major damper on Crytek's ability to produce games, not to mention it hampering that pesky thing called free speech. If you haven't been following my coverage then catch up, Germany and I will wait.

Now that you're all up to speed it's time to do something about it. A few intrepid Germans have started a petition and we are informed if 50,000 people sign it then the German governement has to at least look at it and consider it. You don't have to be German to sign either, which sounds a little sketchy to me, but we'll roll with it. If you can read German and want to participate just head here. If you can't read German you'll have to download this handy little .pdf file (written by this man) that explains exactly what to do when you head to the link above in English words and pretty pictures. Once you're done you can sit back, relax and know you made the world a better place.

(Thanks, Simon T.)


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30 comments | showing # 1 to 30

Chronic Logic's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 09:39
Chronic Logic
World War 3 needs to happen so that developers will stop making games in the WW2 setting and move on to the WW3 setting.
n1k0l4's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 09:41
n1k0l4
Chesus Christ (I hope I spelled that ryte)
I joined Dtoid about three weeks ago, and I wasn't up-to-date with this Germany thing. Unbeliveable, blows the mind. I'll sign that petition, but how does that work, not only Germans can sign it? The government is just going to dismiss it. Anyhow, this thing definetley affects human rights.
Controllersaurus's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 09:42
Controllersaurus
So basically we need somebody to make a list to help oppressed Germans out of a tiff. Does anybody know a Bloke called Oskar or own a red cardigan?
phantomile's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 09:45
phantomile
I signed it; thanks for the link.

Looks like it's getting close to 50,000 already, which is awesome.
Professor Pew's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 10:00
Professor Pew
Germans deserve this for stealing our bikes in WW2. And then driving like dicks and digging holes in our beaches as if it was still 1941. RIGHT TAKESHI?
Overcrowd's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 10:06
Overcrowd
Crazy Germans are crazy.

Also, signed.
n1k0l4's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 10:10
n1k0l4
I signed the petition, German's confusing, but I followed that .pdf. I was number 44108 I think, so their pretty close. And now we see if it works.
In the pdf, in the beginning it says the government wants to ban production and distribution (sale) of action videogames. So what, that's Pac-Man? Certanly Crysis.
Part of me thinks f'em, but
Today Germany, tomorrow the World!
They just need another angry painter, and their f'ed indeed.
Batthink's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 10:39
Batthink
I've put my signature down, its about 44800 now.

If Germany continues this crackdown on the media in general (not just videogames, but internet and others), then we'll have a lot of discontented young people who might be taken advantage of by political parties who might be less than suitable for ruling a country in the free world...
dgschrei's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 10:47
dgschrei
I'd hate to stop you in your friendly effort. But I am German and have already signed the petition. And no you have to be a German citizen to sign it. While it's nice that you try to help us, you may actually be doing us a disservice.
Those petitions only have to be heard in the Bundestag (our equivalent to the American Congress). They have no real effect on the decisions made by the Bundestag. So if our politicians hear that a lot of people that weren't even german citizens signed the petition, they my just dismiss it and do whatever they want.

For it to have any effect this petition has to reach it's goal and surpass it by far in a fair and totally legitimate way. That's the only way we might actually change the minds of our stubborn politicans.

So if you're a Destructoid reader are German and have not signed the petition yet. Get your ass on the petition's site and sign it.
LsTr Of SmG's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 10:56
LsTr Of SmG
I put my signature down - just before you posted unfortunately dgschrei and at last check it was around 44947, with the vast majority being German nationals. I reckon you'll break the target 50000 by quite a way at this rate - with or without help from internationals.
BeniBluemchen's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 11:05
BeniBluemchen
@dgschrei

I'm sorry, but you are wrong. Actually everybody can take part as long as his or her information typed in at the petition is correct. For further information look at https://epetitionen.bundestag.de/index.php?topic=1564.0 on pag 3.
AGAIN EVERYBODY CAN TAKE PART! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE GERMAN!
LsTr Of SmG's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 11:14
LsTr Of SmG
@ BeniBluemchen

Ah,that makes me feel better - especially since the petition technically only needs 5000 more signatures now. Everyone get crackin'!
Flexo's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 11:14
Flexo
I'm also german and I just signed it. But you don't have to be german to sign it, what dgschrei says is wrong. I looked it up on the Bundestag site.
Here, dgschrei, you can look it up, if you don't believe me:
https://epetitionen.bundestag.de/index.php?topic=1564.0
It's in the fifth post.
So, if you're not german and don't live in Germany, but want to help, please do so, every vote counts. Thanks.
Takeshi's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 11:15
Takeshi
Damn right PEW.



Damn right.
Flexo's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 11:17
Flexo
Ah, BeniBluemchen beat me to it.
smerff's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 11:24
smerff
Signed, current count, 44588.
n0brein's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 11:42
n0brein
A huge thank you to everyone who signs this petition! We're quite fucked over here and this might help a lot

I'll get everyone an ice-cream as soon as we meet :)
kefkaesque's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 11:44
kefkaesque
I signed and posted a link to the petition and the walkthrough on my forum.
array's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 12:16
array
Oh.. yeah, that's nice!

I'm living in Germany and can only say that we really need your help. Please forget the past for a minute and subscribe this petition... :S
HiddenAHB's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 12:40
HiddenAHB
Germany wants to stop videogames because they're always losing in them(there are thousands of WW2 games and you know how that turned out).
Mirax's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 12:43
Mirax
Signed.
NihonTiger90's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 12:48
NihonTiger90
Good luck, though I doubt the government will care. Governments really tend not to give a shit about their people.
Sir playedallot's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 13:38
Sir playedallot
I signed it days ago and iam thanking everyone who followed!
I think its a good thing when our politicians see what other countrys think of them and their stupid laws(its the only thing they care since ww2, puplic relations with other countrys imo). So if the countrys from abroad would bash the german government like every one did with japan because of rapeley they maybe would come to their senses again.
The sad thing about that whole petition is that we german gamers are not able get that 50k signs by our own. But again, thanks to everyone!
ghets's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 14:26
ghets
Is there anywhere else to get directions on where i sign? Looks like ive got a firewall blocking me from reading the handy english pdf.
theredpepperofdoom's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 15:19
theredpepperofdoom
I would sign, but there is too much work involved. I am lazy.
fishbone walker's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 15:49
fishbone walker
A: online petition
B: signed by non-constituents

No one's going to look twice at this.

Besides, approaching this on free speech grounds is a losing proposition. Germany's approach to free speech is basically "you can speak your mind unless it hurts someone's feelings or we don't like what you said."
Professor Pew's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2009 18:20
Professor Pew
Hahahhaha Takeshi! <3
IV Backstab MC's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/13/2009 12:26
IV Backstab MC
Why does germany of all countries is so against violence they pretty much started the two largest wars ever fought and theyre offended by a little virtual blood. Uber face palm
Shillypop's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/18/2009 06:40
Shillypop
This is to Professor Pew, you suck. they may have stolen bikes in WWII but that doesn't make a difference. Everyone has a right to play video games and for all super serious German gamers, to take away games is like taking away their life. I salute the German gamers for standing up to the Man.
huluvu's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/07/2009 04:04
huluvu
@ IV Backstab MC

hey screw you!
we austrians started those wars! xD
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