It's been approximately eight seconds since a politician said something stupid about videogames, so let's return to Germany, where people are still screaming and vomiting and crying over the scary games and their dangerous effects on young people. Bavarian Minister Joachim Herrmann has potentially taken the trophy for "dumbest thing ever said about games" by likening them to illegal drugs and child pornography.
"In regards to their harmful effects, [violent video games] are on the same level as child pornography and illegal drugs," he claims, "the ban on which is rightly unquestioned."
Among other nuggets of juicy stupidity in Hermann's statements is the obvious belief that school shootings are caused by games and kids get "lost to our society" because their being "mired" in gaming leaves them no time to find a job or go to school.
Hermann's offensive statements come on the same day Munich held the very first German Videogame Awards ceremony. By way of retaliation, Hermann has been taken to task by the country's game associations and an apology has been demanded. Quite right too. Such casual comparisons to child porn are at best irresponsible and at worst, thoroughly sick.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
10:40 AM on 04.03.2009
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BTW, that picture goes beyond awesome!
You're just not trying hard enough.
See I can outlandish claims too.
But I do think idiots who call out specific games ought to occasionally be taken to court for their stupidity.
A pedophile that kills people.
This is really just his way of admitting to being a drug using pedophile.
(get it? Dark Tower reference)
This is just over-reacting to a problem. In the end it will be forgotten. These people aren't Nazi's nor do they have similar beliefs.
They are fightfully aware of their past and do not want to repeat it.
I suppose when there's such a high proportion of games where the objective is to KILL GERMANS - they have a bit of a shit outlook on games.
I mean, i know the difference between an on-screen Nazi and a random twat in the street, but Germans, the enemies on screen shout harsh pointed german phrases at you, and the random twat on the street / at work / at school / parents / teachers - hell EVERYONE you know loundly throws pointed German phrases at you.
Which one is teh game?!
Best just shoot them all up eh.
Great one dude
anyways yea germany is going to experience a revolution if they dont shut there mouths. i mean what the hell, shut the hell up you old fucks talkin bout shit you dont understand. i know this because i recently got in an arguement recently(and remarkably randomly)with some old fart who said games were evil. really, so when i'm playing halo 3 with my 10 year old lil bro he's sercretly plotting to make some pipe bombs and grab a gun and go to his grammar school screaming DIE COVENANT! man fuck this im gone