The lights are on
If you're looking forward to Sega's upcoming Aliens vs Predator game and you happen to live in Germany, you'd better find something else to look forward to. Sega Europe has announced that it won't be releasing the game in that country, citing difficulties in getting the game rated without cutting content it deems necessary. Here's the official word from Sega:
"SEGA Europe Ltd. is the publisher for the upcoming first person shooter Aliens vs. Predator which is set for release in Q1 2010 for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. "Aliens vs. Predator will not be released in Germany as it has not been awarded an age rating for the German market. SEGA Europe Ltd. has taken the decision that the game could not be released in Germany without significant cuts that would harm the gameplay experience.""Aliens vs. Predator has been developed to be consistent with the existing content in the Aliens and Predator universes. The gameplay and graphical and narrative style befit the mature themes and content of the Aliens and Predator franchises. The content of Aliens vs. Predator will be comparable to other entertainment products such as films, DVDs and television shows which have been intended for a mature audience and are rated accordingly.""Outside of Germany, Aliens vs. Predator is expected to be awarded an 18 rating, and as such will only be legally sold to people who are 18 or older. SEGA Europe Ltd. takes its responsibility as an interactive entertainment publisher very seriously and works closely with age-rating bodies around the world to ensure that the content it releases is accurately age-rated and appropriately marketed to its intended audience."
It's no secret that many developers have had to make concessions to accommodate Germany's game restrictions, from turning characters into robots, removing ragdoll effects, and even replacing gore and gibs with random objects. It's interesting that Sega has decided that it would rather miss out on sales than bother with creating a truncated version of the game for a single market. What do you think? Is Sega's refusal to compromise something that should encourage developers to take stronger stands against censorship? Does it ultimately matter?
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One word: Rammstein.
Awesome!
::Applause for Sega::
Hopefully, other companies will start taking the lead on this and just simply stop trying to market their product in the country. Not that it would make a difference anyhow since you can still order the game online from practically anywhere.
I don't think it should be looked to as an event to rally behind. It was simply a professional decision by both sides.
But I do agree is does matter because the decision by either sides drives opinions of whether a system has too many freedoms or too many restrictions. In the end though, the gamer should be in the mind of both sides.
Unless Germany has some un-seen evidence proving that violent video games have been proven to promote violent acts in real life, they should really get over their issues with violent video games. It only encourages companies to avoid releases of certain games in Germany which only ends up hurting the industry and people of Germany.
That being said, I'm glad that Sega (even if it was for another reason) decided to stick to its guns and keep the content as intended. If video games want to be fully considered as works of art, they need to retain their integrity and avoid submitting to censorship.
If you want to play violent video games as they're meant to be played, then first of all you should probably be under watch in an asylum, but after that you should get out of Germany. Simple as that.
Good show, Sega.
Seeing as how I don't live in Germany, my views don't really mean anything. However, I think Sega is making the right choice from a business standpoint. If anything should be taken from this, it's that only the gamers suffer.
ALIEN content has always been very explicit. Graphic violence is a staple of the franchise. You don't have to be German to understand that an ALIEN game without acid blood or a Space Marine getting a full frontal lobotomy from the inner jaw of a Xenmorph is not an ALIEN game, as far as most of the fan-base is concerned.
This is obviously going to lead to piracy, although a lot of people will manage to get a copy from overseas I'm sure.
I commend Sega for standing their ground and staying committed to releasing a product that stays true to its origins.
I wonder what content they need to cut to release it in Germany.
go for it sega, gut punch germany into saying yes
i don't think they should have to change there game to sell it in germany,it's just like left 4 dead 2 in australa why change a game you spent 3 or more years of your life making just to sell a few more?
Once again if all the content in this game was in a movie, (IDK say AVP) Germany would have no problem giving this an R rating and moving on. Its just the newness of the medium.
Good for Sega. Unreasonable censorship needs to be fought on all fronts in order to ensure true freedom.
@Jose
Considering all of the 'trophy-kills' that each species is capable of doing in this game (including the Predator's ability to remove most of a Marine's spinal column) I would say a ridiculous amount content.
I personally think they made an ok decision. They are being aware of the video game audience and who this game is maostly geared towards. Other companies should follow their lead.
I smell WW3...
If altering the game hinders the overall gameplay experience, then it's not worth doing. Kudos to Sega for once... sorry Germany.
Well, look on the bright side Germany, PS3 games are region free so you can still import the game... it just won't be in German.
*In response to Sabtos: YES!!!
Anyway, maybe this will open Germany's eyes. I'm starting to get tired of my home country censoring so much that people can get somewhere else anyway. Hopefully more companies will do this and Germany will be forced to stop being so strict with their games. I guess there is one advantage to not living there anymore.
way 2 go SEGA!
Way to smack Germany in the face. Kudos to you Sega.