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.)
Matthew Razak is Destructoid's Associate editor and co-founder of film site
Flixist. He began as community member "cowzilla" and was since sequestered to write brainy features material. He lives in Los Angeles with his beautiful wife.
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Contest:
9:30 AM on 07.12.2009
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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.
Looks like it's getting close to 50,000 already, which is awesome.
Also, signed.
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.
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...
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.
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!
Ah,that makes me feel better - especially since the petition technically only needs 5000 more signatures now. Everyone get crackin'!
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.
Damn right.
I'll get everyone an ice-cream as soon as we meet :)
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
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!
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."
hey screw you!
we austrians started those wars! xD