More censorship.....just don't mention the war

If you read Greek Tragedy and Seal of Censorship then you might be feeling a bit sorry for yourself and disappointed by the game censorship in this country. So, to brighten your evening, this might be necessary if you’re a Spurs fan because Gatafe have equalised and Gardener just injured himself....again, lets have a look at a few other countries and their censorship issues starting with Germany. Here the authorities don’t worry about Aliens being killed but if a game has bleeding humans in it then censors are ready with their scissors. They don’t like the mention of WWI & WWII in games either. Not for political reasons, but because they lost them both. They don’t much like to see the Swastika either. I can’t think why. But, while the Germans may flap about seeing a bit of tomato sauce in games, something that most other Europeans and Americans accept without thinking, they quite like a bit of beastiality, which every other country baulks at. It’s true. Stick a dog in a game having sex and it’s on the shelf faster than you can say Eine kliene Nachtmusik. Or something.

American censors frown upon references to smoking, to pills or any drug abuse while the Aussies don’t mind if their game characters get pissed. No surprise there really. American censors do like to see any game showing US military might. This hits the patriotic mark perfectly. Indeed the military might thing is actively encouraged. Just look at MOH Rising Sun. The Japanese censors on the other hand won’t allow any game to market that delves into their murky past and potential misdemeanours.

The Chinese don’t allow any non-state religious symbols while it seems in Britain that any religious symbols at all are a bone of contention. NES Duck Tales didn’t escape the beady eye of one censor who spotted crosses on some coffins. The developer was instructed to remove them so that the Jews didn’t get pissed off. The final game had RIP instead crosses on the coffins.

Feeling sorry yet? Cry on GAMEOV3R’S broad shoulders on the FORUM You can talk about censorship and war too if you like.