Bethesda removes region lock for uncensored PC copies of Wolfenstein: The New Order in Austria and S - Polidicks

No articles on this yet, but after alot of people contacted european consumer protection Bethesda has lifted the region lock for Wolfenstein in Austria and Switzerland. [url]http://steamdb.info/app/201810/history/[/url] thread is entirely in german though [url]http://steamcommunity.com/app/288570/discussions/0/522728000911579219/[/url] [Quote]Good morning! I do understand that there is no such law in Austria and that a censored game makes the experience very limiting. However, the problem of geo-locks should have been solved. Therefore, you can easily buy the game from a store who sells uncensored versions and buy a copy to experience the uncensored fun. Thank you for your understanding. Best Regards, Joel Bethesda Softworks Customer Support Team[/Quote] Now remove the region lock in Germany aswell and I am happy.

Why did they lock the uncensored version in those countries in the first place if they don't have the same laws about as the Germans do? Nice to see them correct their mistake, i'm just wondering what prompted them to make it in the first place.

[IMG]http://purelynumismatics.com/images/smile/salute_smiley.gif[/IMG]

[QUOTE=Sgt Doom;44878529]Why did they lock the uncensored version in those countries in the first place if they don't have the same laws about as the Germans do?[/QUOTE] preemptive obedience and misinformation. There isn't even a law for such things in Germany.

[QUOTE=Niklas;44878523] Now remove the region lock in Germany aswell and I am happy.[/QUOTE] Never going to happen.[I] Never[/I]. Sad but trueeee~"

[QUOTE=Niklas;44878537]preemptive obedience and misinformation. There isn't even a law for such things in Germany.[/QUOTE] I heard there was a law forbidding the display of swastikas outside a historical context. I suppose if that wasn't true there would be bitching anyway, but who knows.

I doubt Germany will allow a game about neo-nazis being burtally murdered have the region-lock taken off. Sad, I know.

Why censor a game where you are KILLING NAZI'S. Like isn't that good if you are a german who wants to kill NAZI'S. I really dont get it?

[QUOTE=Jojje;44878555]I heard there was a law forbidding the display of swastikas outside a historical context. I suppose if that wasn't true there would be bitching anyway, but who knows.[/QUOTE] There is no law requiring a region lock, or atleast it is a legal grey area. Owning a game banned after §86a is not illegal.

[QUOTE=Valiantttt;44878576]Why censor a game where you are KILLING NAZI'S. Like isn't that good if you are a german who wants to kill NAZI'S. I really dont get it?[/QUOTE] Clearly, the German government is worried that Hitler is still brainwashing German people, and the mere sight of the swastika or other Nazi paraphernalia will send a strong Aryan sleeper agent into a frothing, anti-Semitic rage.

[QUOTE=Dub!;44878570]I doubt Germany will allow a game about neo-nazis being burtally murdered have the region-lock taken off. Sad, I know.[/QUOTE] It's not forbidden because it shows the killing of Nazis (And it's not even Neonazis in the game) The german government of today does not take kindly to nationalism, so it's not defending it as you make it seem But it's not reasonably handling it either, as you can see with this censored edition [QUOTE=Protocol7;44878612]Clearly, the German government is worried that Hitler is still brainwashing German people, and the mere sight of the swastika or other Nazi paraphernalia will send a strong Aryan sleeper agent into a frothing, anti-Semitic rage.[/QUOTE] Holy shit, guys. I would think Germany still has these stupid laws because of the Potsdam Agreement set up by the Allies, which included the measurement of "denazification". It caused the ban of nationalistic references in a variety of branches and I would say this is a remnant of the agreement. What view have you on Germany, really..

It's because the German government considers video games add toys and they don't want swastikas on toys which imho is completely understandable.

[QUOTE=Valiantttt;44878576]Why censor a game where you are KILLING NAZI'S. Like isn't that good if you are a german who wants to kill NAZI'S. I really dont get it?[/QUOTE] This is something I always wondered. The Nazis' fall was arguably a victory for Germans just as much as for most Europeans.

[QUOTE=RaptorJGW;44878622] Holy shit, guys. I would think Germany still has these stupid laws because of the Potsdam Agreement set up by the Allies, which included the measurement of "denazification". It caused the ban of nationalistic references in a variety of branches and I would say this is a remnant of the agreement. What view have you on Germany, really..[/QUOTE] I should hope you'd pick up on my sarcasm. I in no way believe that the German government is worried about Hitler brainwashing people.

Removing the lock in switzerland and austria but not in germany ? FUCK YOU Bathesda

Nice job using the EU concept to do this. While Germany still has a very heavy legislation on this, I'm pretty sure we haven't had anything actually blocking nazi symbolism in games other than preemptiveness in forever. [editline]22nd May 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=cNova;44878779]Removing the lock in switzerland and austria but not in germany ? FUCK YOU Bathesda[/QUOTE] You guys actually have standing legislation against it. It's even in the OP. The definition of games as art is still to happen.

I dream of a world without region locks.

[QUOTE=SEKCobra;44878792] You guys actually have standing legislation against it. It's even in the OP. The definition of games as art is still to happen.[/QUOTE] Does not make the Region-lock any less unnecessary. §86a in the german criminal code states that importing product with swastikas is ONLY illegal if it is used openly, owning and using such a piece of media is not illegal in private. [Quote](1) Mit Freiheitsstrafe bis zu drei Jahren oder mit Geldstrafe wird bestraft, wer 1. im Inland Kennzeichen einer der in § 86 Abs. 1 Nr. 1, 2 und 4 bezeichneten Parteien oder Vereinigungen verbreitet oder öffentlich, in einer Versammlung oder in von ihm verbreiteten Schriften (§ 11 Abs. 3) verwendet oder 2. Gegenstände, die derartige Kennzeichen darstellen oder enthalten, zur Verbreitung oder Verwendung im Inland oder Ausland in der in Nummer 1 bezeichneten Art und Weise herstellt, vorrätig hält, einführt oder ausführt. [/Quote] [editline]22nd May 2014[/editline] [Quote](1) Whosoever 1. domestically distributes or publicly uses, in a meeting or in writtenmaterials (section 11(3)) disseminated by him, symbols of one of the parties or organisations indicated in section 86(1) Nos 1, 2 and 4; or 2. produces, stocks, imports or exports objects which depict or contain such symbols for distribution or use in Germany or abroad in a manner indicated in No 1, shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding three years or a fine.

[QUOTE=Protocol7;44878754]I should hope you'd pick up on my sarcasm. I in no way believe that the German government is worried about Hitler brainwashing people.[/QUOTE] I got your joke, but I've seen topics like this come up several times and every time a majority in threads like this take on this line of thinking, it's just worrying Germany basically acts like a kid doing everything to make Mommy and Daddy like it again after being an intolerable problem child The parents in this case would be the rest of the world and Germany pretty much feels condemned, because of its past. But we actually share the same opinion. We are handling nationalism overly sensitive

[QUOTE=Niklas;44878839]Does not make the Region-lock any less unnecessary. §86a in the german criminal code states that importing product with swastikas is ONLY illegal if it is used openly, owning and using such a piece of media is not illegal in private. Yeah I guess that's true. Once again preemptive ass covering. [editline]22nd May 2014[/editline] [Quote](1) Whosoever 1. domestically distributes or publicly uses, in a meeting or in writtenmaterials (section 11(3)) disseminated by him, symbols of one of the parties or organisations indicated in section 86(1) Nos 1, 2 and 4; or 2. produces, stocks, imports or exports objects which depict or contain such symbols for distribution or use in Germany or abroad in a manner indicated in No 1, shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding three years or a fine.[/QUOTE]