bit-tech.net

Germany denies classification for Jericho

Published on 26th September 2007 by Joe Martin

Clive Barker's Jericho has been denied classification in Germany, limiting availability of the game. Guess why.

The German rating body, the Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle, is a very well-oiled and strict machine which strives everyday to stop violent media from entering the country. Gears of War, Crackdown and Dead Rising (plus Manhunt 2, obviously) have all already fallen to the German banhammer and today there is another game added to the list.

Clive Barker's Jericho, a bloody squad-based FPS game written by the prolific horror and fantasy writer has also denied classification by the USK due to excessive amounts of gore.

The fact that Jericho has been denied classification is hardly surprising as previews of the game have revealed it is typical of Barker's style, mixing elements of the arcane with explicit sexual themes and an extremely gory presentation. It's part of what attracts western audiences to the game.

Barker, a well known author, screenwriter and painter, worked on films such as Hellraiser and games like Clive Barker's Undying, a game which was a critical success but a commercial failure. Barker has also spoken out in support of games as a legitimate artform, something which bit-tech also believes.

The German USK has always been strict with violent games and monitors them closely. While Jericho has not explicitly been banned, it has been denied classification by the board. This means it cannot be advertised or sold to under 18s in Germany, something which deters many stores from selling unclassified games as they cannot advertise properly. The game will still be legal to own for adult German gamers though, should they be determined to track down a copy.

The constant pressure against violent games in Germany is thought to be one of the reasons why adventure games are so popular in Germany compared to the rest of the world.

Does Germany have the right idea about monitoring games or should developers be given free rein? Answers in the forums, if you please.

14 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

steveo_mcg 26th September 2007, 14:01

And people consider a EU wide licensing board a good idea, eek.

Darkedge 26th September 2007, 14:12

not news as it was obvious.

antiHero 26th September 2007, 14:15

Its no problem IMHO that the game is 18+. If its to much gore then its good that minors cant get hold of the game and adult gamers have there places where to get the game anyway. All pro gamer shops have a large stock of 18+ games as they know that the big chains dont stock it.

Delphium 26th September 2007, 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveo_mcg
And people consider a EU wide licensing board a good idea, eek.

My sentiments exactly :/
Think my internet will be busyer when/if they end up implementing such, hopefully no time soon!!

But then again this is why we have the 18+ rating pfft

Duste 26th September 2007, 15:44

Too much blood and gore can ruin a game, I think. :/

Delphium 26th September 2007, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duste
Too much blood and gore can ruin a game, I think. :/

NEVAR!!! :D

yakyb 26th September 2007, 15:55

i wasnt interested in this until i heard it was banned now i am interested my thoughts are that sales will increase because of it

oh and a side note what kind of country would ban Manhunt and this yet allow pornographic adverts on TV

PumpAction 26th September 2007, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by yakyb
i wasnt interested in this until i heard it was banned now i am interested my thoughts are that sales will increase because of it

oh and a side note what kind of country would ban Manhunt and this yet allow pornographic adverts on TV

The logic is pretty simple :P With masturbation you risk pleasing yourself, with slaughtering other people you risk...

Kurayamino 26th September 2007, 21:55

Dumbing down, catering for the mentals amongst us is going to happen more and more. It's because those idiots make the news and we civilized people don't! The Few ruin it for the many once again!

Tyinsar 27th September 2007, 00:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by antiHero
Its no problem IMHO that the game is 18+. If its to much gore then its good that minors cant get hold of the game and adult gamers have there places where to get the game anyway. All pro gamer shops have a large stock of 18+ games as they know that the big chains dont stock it.

Quoted For Truth, nothing to see here, move along

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duste
Too much blood and gore can ruin a game, I think. :/

;) I can understand it's use in horror films (though I am in no way a fan) but I don't see why it's needed in a game either.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PumpAction
The logic is pretty simple :P With masturbation you risk pleasing yourself, with slaughtering other people you risk...

So which does your name refer to? :D /me runs for cover

naokaji 27th September 2007, 07:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by yakyb
i wasnt interested in this until i heard it was banned now i am interested my thoughts are that sales will increase because of it

oh and a side note what kind of country would ban Manhunt and this yet allow pornographic adverts on TV

its just the difference between europe and usa..

in the usa everything that even mentions sex gets censored or banned, but violence is ok.
in europe its violence that leads to censoring and bans, but sex is ok.

BadIronTree 27th September 2007, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by naokaji
Quote:
Originally Posted by yakyb
i wasnt interested in this until i heard it was banned now i am interested my thoughts are that sales will increase because of it

oh and a side note what kind of country would ban Manhunt and this yet allow pornographic adverts on TV

its just the difference between europe and usa..

in the usa everything that even mentions sex gets censored or banned, but violence is ok.
in europe its violence that leads to censoring and bans, but sex is ok.

Well SEX is GOOD
Violence is BAD

ps: little violence in sex is better :PPPP

naokaji 27th September 2007, 14:42

playing a good bloody game and then cuddle up with your gf would be perfection:D

Stuey 27th September 2007, 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by PumpAction
The logic is pretty simple :P With masturbation you risk pleasing yourself, with slaughtering other people you risk...

LOL, interesting words coming from someone whose alias is PumpAction!