No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany

An interview on PCGamesN has word that Dead Island: Riptide will not be available in Germany when the RPG sequel is released next year, in spite of being partly developed in that country. Creative producer Sebastian Reichert explains that Techland is not creating a censored version of the game to comply with Germany's strict laws about depicting violence against human figures and "mutilation of corpses." In defending the game's content, he gladly throws GoW3 under the bus: "At the moment I'm really confused that you can buy Gears of War 3 in stores in Germany, but not Dead Island. Because where's the difference? I mean, [the enemies in Gears of War] are human-like, and they things you do to them... ah, they really have nice finishers! That flamethrower finisher, he rams the flamethrower into the body, pulls the trigger and the flames come out of every body part. That's in stores." Thanks VG247.
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33.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 2, 2012, 03:06
33.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 2, 2012, 03:06
Dec 2, 2012, 03:06
 
Golwar wrote on Dec 1, 2012, 19:21:
You don't always need the government, sometimes the industry and a part of the customers are enough to cannibalize products. Don't tell me you missed the outrage after certain sex scenes in Mass Effect 2 (or 3).

It is quite simple, US Americans love their weapons and they fear naked tits. This results in self-restriction of the industy, that simply doesn't produce games with erotic or sexual content. It occasionally happens that we in Europe get to see some naked impression that get denied from the USA, as in Witcher for example.

But you simply can't produce a game story that would heavily rely on sexual events, as it would be impossible to sell it on the biggest market. Thus I say that the USA, in their bigotry, prevent erotica in games. One of the most elemental parts of any form of culture is not existent in games. Did you never wonder why?

I know all that.

Your language made it sound like there were real restrictions or processes in effect that made it so. I was just clarifying. I have talked to tons of people from Europe and elsewhere who are oblivious to the fact our ratings systems are voluntary.

Anyway, on a cultural level you are right (though it's slowly getting better). It's still all voluntary and driven by publisher/store paranoia though. I mean why does Valve avoid AO games entirely? It's not to stop porn from coming to Steam because they approve every release anyway. They just have a paranoia that once they host an AO game the press will crucify them.
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32.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 20:20
Prez
 
32.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 20:20
Dec 1, 2012, 20:20
 Prez
 
For as long as I can remember the US has always had curious views on sex and violence in media. Basically blood and guts is okay; titties are BAD. Never made any sense, never will.

I have a theory that it has to do with the Judaeo-Christian heritage of the US and its early founders and citizenry. In the Bible violence is one of the most common themes, maybe THE most common one, especially in the Old Testament. The New Testament tells the graphic story of the systematic torture and execution of the religion's greatest prophet - and they teach it in detail to children starting from a very young age. Yet the same book makes inferences to sex as being taboo - Noah's son Ham was cursed for merely gazing on his father's naked body, and Oman was killed by the Lord for "spilling his seed upon the ground" inferring that the one and only purpose for sex is maintenance of the species through procreation. Then there's the story of Christ's birth, in which the Bible makes it very clear that Mary conceived while still being a virgin, which seems to give the message that sex (even with her husband Joseph) would have somehow "soiled" her, making her an unfit vessel for the annointed Christ. Granted, there are fewer Christians and more agnostics/atheists than ever before, but our elected leaders and lawmakers still remain keenly aware that a huge swathe of their constituency are Christian. It seems many in government today are Christian (or at least religious) themselves.

I could be completely off base, but I can't come up with any other explanation as to why we are so backwards in the U.S.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
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31.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 19:21
31.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 19:21
Dec 1, 2012, 19:21
 
Brumbek wrote on Dec 1, 2012, 18:44:

"Fascism is a form of radical authoritarian nationalism. Fascists seek to unify their nation based upon suprapersonal connections of ancestry and culture through a totalitarian state that seeks the mass mobilization of the national community through discipline, indoctrination, and physical training."

The German government seeks to shape the thinking of their nation by censoring violent games and other media. That's getting dangerously close to fascism in my opinion.

lolz. You quote what facism is and still think that it would be smart to claim that enforcing that overly brutal games aren't sold to anyone under 18 would be a sign for facism?

Sorry buddy, but in that case you seriously should beg someone to play your "thought police", you certainly need another instance to filter your crap.

StingingVelvet wrote on Dec 1, 2012, 08:05:
Golwar wrote on Dec 1, 2012, 06:25:
And as long as the USA prevent even slightly sexual content in games for everyone on the world, I'd remain silent about how stupid countries are.

How do we do this exactly? Our ratings system is entirely voluntary and there is no government involvement, regulation or censorship what-so-ever.

You don't always need the government, sometimes the industry and a part of the customers are enough to cannibalize products. Don't tell me you missed the outrage after certain sex scenes in Mass Effect 2 (or 3).

It is quite simple, US Americans love their weapons and they fear naked tits. This results in self-restriction of the industy, that simply doesn't produce games with erotic or sexual content. It occasionally happens that we in Europe get to see some naked impression that get denied from the USA, as in Witcher for example.

But you simply can't produce a game story that would heavily rely on sexual events, as it would be impossible to sell it on the biggest market. Thus I say that the USA, in their bigotry, prevent erotica in games. One of the most elemental parts of any form of culture is not existent in games. Did you never wonder why?
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30.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 18:44
30.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 18:44
Dec 1, 2012, 18:44
 
Buckermann wrote on Dec 1, 2012, 13:52:
You probably should educate yourself about what "censorship" and "fascism" really means before using such difficult concepts in a public discussion.

I'll let Wikipedia explain the terms:

"Censorship is the suppression of speech or other public communication which may be considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or inconvenient as determined by a government, media outlet, or other controlling body."

"Fascism is a form of radical authoritarian nationalism. Fascists seek to unify their nation based upon suprapersonal connections of ancestry and culture through a totalitarian state that seeks the mass mobilization of the national community through discipline, indoctrination, and physical training."

The German government seeks to shape the thinking of their nation by censoring violent games and other media. That's getting dangerously close to fascism in my opinion. But you are welcome to embrace the loving arms of German thought police if you like.
29.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 16:49
Jivaro
 
29.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 16:49
Dec 1, 2012, 16:49
 Jivaro
 
RPG?
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28.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 13:58
28.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 13:58
Dec 1, 2012, 13:58
 
PHJF wrote on Dec 1, 2012, 08:39:
This is in stark contrast to Gearbox who claimed Borderlands 2 was uncut, but in fact they removed head decaps and other effects in order to comply with German (and other) law.

Actually they fucked up across the board and Borderlands 2 was censored in America. Even with the "full gore" option ticked, there are no decapitations, no elemental death effects, no flying body parts. But oh look we have horrible-looking PhysX blood everywhere...
This is the worst. When censorship from a few countries spills over into all countries. Borderlands 2, Fallout 3... I am sure there are a few others where this has happened.

I really can not see a publisher/developer losing shit tons of money by not bowing to their stupid censorship laws.
27.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 13:52
27.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 13:52
Dec 1, 2012, 13:52
 
Cutter wrote on Nov 30, 2012, 21:15:
"Protection from what, Tommy? Zee Germans?"
Best movie ever.
26.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 13:52
26.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 13:52
Dec 1, 2012, 13:52
 
Brumbek wrote on Dec 1, 2012, 13:22:
I recommend you NOT try to defend censorship. It is evil in all forms.
You probably should educate yourself about what "censorship" and "fascism" really means before using such difficult concepts in a public discussion.

A little help:
allowing pornographic and violent media only to 18+ people is neither.
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25.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 13:51
25.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 13:51
Dec 1, 2012, 13:51
 
PHJF wrote on Dec 1, 2012, 08:39:
This is in stark contrast to Gearbox who claimed Borderlands 2 was uncut, but in fact they removed head decaps and other effects in order to comply with German (and other) law.

Actually they fucked up across the board and Borderlands 2 was censored in America. Even with the "full gore" option ticked, there are no decapitations, no elemental death effects, no flying body parts. But oh look we have horrible-looking PhysX blood everywhere...

Ehhh... what? I see heads flying and people burning or dissolving in acid all over BL2? (well, I'm dubious about decapitations. I've been seeing a lot of them in a recent game I've been playing, but I'm not sure if it's BL2, actually. But I see the elemental effects all the time.)

Creston
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24.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 13:22
24.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 13:22
Dec 1, 2012, 13:22
 
Buckermann wrote on Dec 1, 2012, 05:10:
Just to make things clear:

Nobody forces a developer/publisher to censor their games to get a under 18 release in Germany.

You sound like a German politician. German law gives two options basically: censor your game and it can be sold in public or don't censor it and you have to go through crazy hoops to sell the game.

So yes, the German government is forcing behavior through economic power, which is censorship. Why do you think BL2 was censored? Because not doing so would mean virtually no sales in Germany.

I recommend you NOT try to defend censorship. It is evil in all forms.
23.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 12:32
23.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 12:32
Dec 1, 2012, 12:32
 
Man, Germany is so lucky. They'll never see this garbage sequel to a garbage game exist. I've never wanted 50 bucks back so much in my life.
-C22
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22.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 12:30
22.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 12:30
Dec 1, 2012, 12:30
 
Cutter wrote on Dec 1, 2012, 11:30:
StingingVelvet wrote on Dec 1, 2012, 08:05:
Golwar wrote on Dec 1, 2012, 06:25:
And as long as the USA prevent even slightly sexual content in games for everyone on the world, I'd remain silent about how stupid countries are.

How do we do this exactly? Our ratings system is entirely voluntary and there is no government involvement, regulation or censorship what-so-ever.

Guess you've never heard of the FCC then.

The FCC has nothing at all to do with video games.
21.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 11:40
21.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 11:40
Dec 1, 2012, 11:40
 
Buckermann wrote on Dec 1, 2012, 05:10:
Just to make things clear:

The sale of such games is not verboten in Germany; they just can't be sold to somebody under 18. And you can't advertise for such publications in media that is available to minors.

Only very few games are actually banned in Germany; I think the number is 13.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_banned_video_games#Germany

Nobody forces a developer/publisher to censor their games to get a under 18 release in Germany.

Online sales, where it's difficult to determine the buyers age, are tricky though...

Some just dont sell that game if your IP is from Germany. If you order it online, you will need to provide a copy of your identification and the postman will only deliver the package to the person who ordered it (also checked by identification, unless he/she knows you already).

Yeah, we still have a little Nazi in us. Lately though, I think he got bigger and bigger.
I have given up on waiting for BIS to come back to their senses and do a real ArmA 2 successor.
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20.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 11:30
20.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 11:30
Dec 1, 2012, 11:30
 
StingingVelvet wrote on Dec 1, 2012, 08:05:
Golwar wrote on Dec 1, 2012, 06:25:
And as long as the USA prevent even slightly sexual content in games for everyone on the world, I'd remain silent about how stupid countries are.

How do we do this exactly? Our ratings system is entirely voluntary and there is no government involvement, regulation or censorship what-so-ever.

Guess you've never heard of the FCC then.
"The horse I bet on was so slow, the jockey kept a diary of the trip." - Henny Youngman
19.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 11:05
19.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 11:05
Dec 1, 2012, 11:05
 
I wouldn't call that throwing GoW3 under the bus. Anyways... stupid German censorship.
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18.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 10:11
18.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 10:11
Dec 1, 2012, 10:11
 
Prez wrote on Nov 30, 2012, 21:11:
Glad I don't live in Germany; I loved Dead Island and can't wait for Riptide.
Not being able to buy a game doesn't automaticly mean not being able to play a game
17.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 08:39
PHJF
 
17.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 08:39
Dec 1, 2012, 08:39
 PHJF
 
This is in stark contrast to Gearbox who claimed Borderlands 2 was uncut, but in fact they removed head decaps and other effects in order to comply with German (and other) law.

Actually they fucked up across the board and Borderlands 2 was censored in America. Even with the "full gore" option ticked, there are no decapitations, no elemental death effects, no flying body parts. But oh look we have horrible-looking PhysX blood everywhere...
Steam + PSN: PHJF
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16.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 08:05
16.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 08:05
Dec 1, 2012, 08:05
 
Golwar wrote on Dec 1, 2012, 06:25:
And as long as the USA prevent even slightly sexual content in games for everyone on the world, I'd remain silent about how stupid countries are.

How do we do this exactly? Our ratings system is entirely voluntary and there is no government involvement, regulation or censorship what-so-ever.
Avatar 54622
15.
 
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany
Dec 1, 2012, 06:58
Slick
 
15.
Re: No Dead Island: Riptide in Germany Dec 1, 2012, 06:58
Dec 1, 2012, 06:58
 Slick
 
Brumbek wrote on Nov 30, 2012, 21:35:
I respect them for not censoring their game just to comply with Fascist laws.

you understand the irony with your statement right? just figured i'd point it out... it wasn't the German videogame laws that were fascist... to curb violent media in their country today. that's their play, and i respect it. even though i think it is actually more damaging than anything. what happens when you can't "feed the aligators" in our psyche's sewer as Stephen King coined? that's when things get messy, when you suppress all outlets to the baser self, then you get higher incidents of real violence.

so in that respect, i also respect Techland for choosing to send a message, that their laws, while ineffective and backwards, are still at their worst trying to make Germany separate from the rest of the world. If it's guilt, i get it, but it's time to move on and get with the program. also fuck GoW, they deserve to be under the bus, that game is awful.
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14.
 
Left for Dead 2 in Australia
Dec 1, 2012, 06:56
14.
Left for Dead 2 in Australia Dec 1, 2012, 06:56
Dec 1, 2012, 06:56
 
Very heavily modified. Now we have an 18+ classification has it been un-dudded? I think not.
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