No Gears of War in Germany

By Tom Bramwell Published 19 October, 2006

Same deal as Dead Rising.

Gears of War will not be released in Germany after USK, the German ratings board, declined to rate the game.

It's the same thing that happened to Dead Rising earlier this year, you may remember, and means that German gamers are now bang out of luck when it comes to two of Xbox 360's biggest titles of the year.

The platform holder, for its part, told our sister site Eurogamer.de that it accepted the USK's decision and would not publish the game in the region.

That's because it feels that the changes it would need to make to satisfy the requirements for a rating would rob the game of a lot of important features, and make it difficult to guarantee compatibility with other international versions on Xbox Live.

Gears of War is due out over here on 17th November.

Update: Microsoft UK has issued the following statement clarifying the situation regarding Gears of War's status in Germany, where the USK has declined to rate the title.

"I can confirm that 'Gears of War' (MGS) will not be published in Germany, or be available for German retail to order. Microsoft Deutschland GmbH is committed to working with the German regulatory body for games software, the USK (Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle), to ensure its games receive the appropriate rating and are enjoyed by the right age group in Germany. Gears of War was not given an age rating by the USK and therefore will not be published.

"At Microsoft, providing a safer, more secure environment and age-appropriate content for all consumers has been a part of the Xbox story from the very beginning. We have led the effort to create and build-in safety measures that enable parents and caregivers to choose the right play and viewing settings for their family. As an industry leader, we are committed to helping create a safer environment in which all users can enjoy the full benefits of interactive entertainment. We actively support creativity, freedom of expression and personal choice within the industry."

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000. Follow him on Twitter.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (54) Latest comment 6 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • numptyboymatt #1 6 years ago

    Given the recent saga with "Bully" can only be a matter of time before things start going the same way in the UK.....

  • symmetry #2 6 years ago

    When this happens, do Germans just buy them in Austria or what?

  • Artemis_Matsas #3 6 years ago

    Hmmm... it's starting to happen...

  • Rambaldi #4 6 years ago

    WTF?

  • numptyboymatt #5 6 years ago

    Maybe we should just ban everything and spend the rest of our lives in little cotton-wool covered rooms devoid of any form of anything resembling entertainment.

  • AFX #6 6 years ago

    Can German users of Xbox Live still download the demos of these games off Marketplace?

  • captainrentboy #7 6 years ago

    I don't see why any games should be banned in the U.K,we have a perfectly good age restriction act running on all software,at the end of the day if a parent wants to let their 7 yr old play ultra violent games,that's up to them,and on their heads be it should the game in any way negatively effect their child.(I'm not saying that happens,but we all know how the media love to leap on stories like this and strangely blame software developers as opposed to the irresponsible parents)
    So don't other countries have age restrictions on games,I know the U.S doesn't.

  • melw #8 6 years ago

    One thing I don't get is why couldn't they just release it as a K-15/K-18 title if the content is too violent for German authorities. Full sensorship never brings anything good, on the contrary this will encourage piracy and swell other unwanted behaviour.

    Then again I'm more a fan of German's policy of sensoring violence than even more ridiculous USA policy of sensoring everything that has a glimpse of breasts in it. Take Germany as an example and see the collection of "erotic games" they have all around - it's surely less harmful for teenagers to see pair of tits than blood splatters? At least I can agree with that. :)

  • spongebob #9 6 years ago

    This is going to become a trend when game graphics get more realistic. I think developers should make it possible to change the carnage level in games. And in extreme cases they should make different versions for countries with stricter legislation on on-screen violence. It happens with movies.

  • DanMW #10 6 years ago

    What's the point in this, they will import the games, so I don't understand this move...

  • MadMirko #11 6 years ago

    @Captaintheroy

    We have a perfectly fine rating system for software in Germany as well. To clear up the confusion, our rating board (the USK, whose name literally translates to entertainment software self monitoring, which is a voluntarily industry created rating board, not a government thing) declined to rate the game. That means, they won't even say it's ok for adults.

    That in itself would only hamper a publishers ability to advertise the game, or sell it to minors.

    What can keep you from selling altogether (even having your game confiscated) is the BPjS, which is a governmental organisation that's designed to keep minors safe from hate speech and violence in the media. They have the power to put a game on "the index", which effectively bans the game.

    That did not yet happen, but MS seems to think that will / would happen. So they decided to not publish the game. As of yet, no one forced them to do so.

  • Celdrahil #12 6 years ago

    Well, only core gamers will import a game, the majority won't buy it if it isn't on a shelf of their electronics store.

  • MadMirko #13 6 years ago

    @DanMW

    The BPjS could have the game confiscated, which would also apply to imported copies. Customs would confiscate the game upon importing, like they would do with swastikas and other nazi related stuff.

  • Frogger #14 6 years ago

    It's not something new in Germany. I think I remember that Carmaggedon developpers had to make green blood for pedestrians to allow the release of the game.

  • Sorb #15 6 years ago

    Thatīs what happens when you put gory chainsaws in your game I guess. I see no other reason it would be banned?

  • #16 6 years ago

    FFS the bad guys are the spawn of Satan, who gives a damn if they bleed red blood.

    At least most of the Germans gat just import a copy easily. But this is really getting ridiculous.

    Do they also ban every film that has blood and guts and violence in it?

  • itamae #17 6 years ago

    Do they also ban every film that has blood and guts and violence in it?

    Read MadMirko's post. Gears of War isn't banned, Microsoft simply decided not to publish the game in Germany because they aren't allowed to sell it to minors and could face advertising restrictions. And let's face it, minors are a big part of the game's target audience.
    Edited by itamae at 19/10/06 @ 09:17

  • Kuma #18 6 years ago

    @MadMirko
    Thanks for the insider info, what are you personal thoughts on the over zealous nature (in my mind anyways) of the German ratings board? Is the import market going underground in Germany and are games like this sold at a premium?
    Sorry for all the questions but I am inquisitive before I get a decent dose of caffeine in me :-)

  • Baz_Dude #19 6 years ago

    The Germans have always been strict on gore in games and Gears of War without blood would be very different and as they said it'd be hard to make it work on Xbox live

  • fizzer25 #20 6 years ago

    Surely these people don't forget what happened last time someone tried to stop them doing something?

  • t8yman #21 6 years ago

    I think this is terrible in 2006. Christ I thought the UK was a nanny state, I pity our German cousins. Genuinely, I think its just wrong. Surely they can import without too many problems? Imagine getting your door smashed down by the thought police and then one of them smashes you in the face with the butt of his assault rifle, leans over, presses "eject" and then leaves.

  • kzmk #22 6 years ago

    I wonder: Which are the "lot of important features" they would have to rob from the game?

  • NOSAVIOUR #23 6 years ago

    What the fuck?! What about violent movies, graphic novels, literature... where do you stop?!! What happened to freedom of choice. Its fuckin stupid and only a matter of time before we all suffer.

    The problem is ignorant pricks still see video games as something kids. Someone needs to wake the fuck up.

    So guess its ok to have porn on rtl at stupid times of the day but you cant shoot friggin aliens.

  • itamae #24 6 years ago

    Spot the 16-year old without a credit card...

  • UncleLou #25 6 years ago

    Read MadMirko's post. Gears of War isn't banned, Microsoft simply decided not to publish the game in Germany because they aren't allowed to sell it to minors and could face advertising restrictions. And let's face it, minors are a big part of the game's target audience.

    Exactly. Not publishing it is a political decision by Microsoft - it would be perfectly legal to distribute it in Germany with certain restrictions, just like it will be perfectly legal now to buy an import version from even a German shop if the shop makes sure you're 18.

  • UncleLou #26 6 years ago

    What can keep you from selling altogether (even having your game confiscated) is the BPjS, which is a governmental organisation that's designed to keep minors safe from hate speech and violence in the media. They have the power to put a game on "the index", which effectively bans the game.

    That did not yet happen, but MS seems to think that will / would happen. So they decided to not publish the game. As of yet, no one forced them to do so.

    Sorry, MadMirko, that's not quite correct - even if it's on the index, it can still be sold to adults - unless it's Nazi propaganda or somesuch.

  • WickedDeeJ #27 6 years ago

    Aww, well that's unfortunate for our German fellow gamers. Well, at least you can import a copy from the UK or Holland :)

  • TheBard #28 6 years ago

    Please, Eurogamer, please just don't write this bullfrack anymore. This is wrong. Here's now it is:

    Like Dead Rising, Gears of War didn't receive a rating. This in itself is no problem, nothing was banned of confiscated or whatnot. This just means you may only sell the game to ADULTS. It may eventually be put under some sort of advertising regulation, which means they aren't allowed to put it out openly (this only applies to some excessively violent games, which GoW doubtlessly is).

    NOTHING MORE!

    What happened is that MICROSOFT says that they have a policy of not releasing unrated games in Germany, because of the functionality of the youth protection system built in the Xbox 360.

    The game isn't banned, the game isn't about to be banned, and noone told MS they aren't allowed to publish the game. Because they are. No problem with that.

    But this doesn't really matter to the people who want to play it. We can just import it from Switzerland, Austria or the Netherlands. And in most cases, this even costs less.

  • itamae #29 6 years ago

    What? The article is correct, it's just some of the comments that make me roll my eyes.

  • Glitch #30 6 years ago

    Germans lost the war. Its their punishment.

  • Nippledoctor #31 6 years ago

    They still have the beer fest in Munich though, so all isn't bad!

  • Artemis_Matsas #32 6 years ago

    Heh... i just remembered that Barbarian on the C64 was banned in Germany too

    Oh my god, i AM an old fart.

  • NOSAVIOUR #33 6 years ago

    @itamae
    Spot the 16-year old without a credit card..

    add another 12 fool

  • peterfll #34 6 years ago

    But do the German people find this system of control a problem? So far, none of the Germans on the thread seem to have said that......

    Is it a problem? If it is - what can be done about it?

  • UncleLou #35 6 years ago

    It's not a problem whatsoever if you're 18 or older. Which is the point, isn't it? :)

  • Inflatable #36 6 years ago

    @TheBard, thxs for the explanation.. But what I still don't understand is why the game is not rated in Germany? What's the problem with giving it a 18+ rating?

  • viperfoxbat #37 6 years ago

    Usually when people are oppressed they lash out in worse ways(violence). Let's hope people in Germany are not oppressed.

  • TheBard #38 6 years ago

    @Inflatable
    >>"@TheBard, thxs for the explanation.. But what I still don't understand is why the game is not rated in Germany? What's the problem with giving it a 18+ rating?"

    If they give the game an 18+ rating, the BPjM (translates *very* roughly to Federal testing agency of youth endangering media) cannot put the game on the infamous Index. Yeah, it's weird. But this is because games are tested by several groups here. The USK is a board from the game industry itself. The BPjM is federal.

    And do I like this system? Yeah, I do. Of course there are some bad sides to it. And it could use a little tweaking, especially the weirdness mentioned above. But it works well.

    You can buy most games nearly everywhere, especially at your local electronics discounters like Media Markt or Saturn. And it rarely happens that kids can buy games which aren't allowed for their age.

    And as an adult gamer, you have no problems getting the games you want. I order my games online at http://www.spielegrotte.de for example. They import the games from Austria where they are uncut, and even localized for people who need it. In most cases, this is even cheaper than buying a cut version in a brick and mortar shop.

    But it's difficult for kids getting their hands on such stuff without their parents at least knowing about it. I think it's a good solution. You can never regulate stupid parents who buy everything for their kids, though.

  • Skeletor #39 6 years ago

    @peterfll
    It is a problem. The problem is not the German ratings board but the result at the end of the day. Games like Dead Rising are avaible in most of the video games shops but not in the large electronic stores which means non-hardcoregamers are very likely to miss them. MS could easily sell Gears in adult-sections of video stores but they don't want to because it would shift their games into the distribution channels of hardcore pornography. Pornography is automaticaly "indexed" (no advertisement possible outside of adult-sections). But the whole problem lies deeper than just "OMFG, they refused an 18 rating again!" - refusing ratings on Dead Rising and Gears is the way for German ratings board and authorities like BPJM to tell publishers that games like these are not welcome in Germany. What most people don't understand though is that even if something is banned/"indexed" you can easily import it from other European countries. The only title that is completely banned, even for adults, is Manhunt. The difference to Australia though is that the possesion of Manhunt is legal and the risk of cofiscation when ordering the game from another European country like Austria for example is practically zero. That's why most German gamers hate the system but don't really care.

  • Skeletor #40 6 years ago

    >>"@TheBard, thxs for the explanation.. But what I still don't understand is why the game is not rated in Germany? What's the problem with giving it a 18+ rating?"

    Explanation: because there is not only one 18+ in Germany but FOUR.
    1. USK18 means 18+ but considered dangerous to youths on a minimal level, mainstream 18+, can be advertised and sold everywhere to people 18 and older, just like alcohol
    2. refused rating/unrated, not indexed - doesn't happen very often any more, mostly temporarily, good example: Rockstars The Warriors, can be advertised and sold everywhere, most electronic stores don't want to sell though
    3. no rating/refused rating and INDEXED - considered dangerous to youths on high level, no advertisement or selling outside of "adult-sections", just like pornography
    4. BANNED by law - no ads, no selling, possession LEGAL, best excuse for pirating you will ever get letting all the kids know what game they should really get ;-)
    Yes, this system is complicated but you learn to live with it. Hope that clarified a bit.
    Edited by Skeletor at 19/10/06 @ 13:09

  • itamae #41 6 years ago

    @ itamae
    Spot the 16-year old without a credit card..

    add another 12 fool


    So... why the vitriol then? Who or what stops you or other adults from buying the bloody (hoho) game then?

  • NOSAVIOUR #42 6 years ago

    @itamae

    The fact that a pathetic rule is enforced on everyone no matter age, gender or background. What happened to choice?

    But, do I really give a shit... HELL NO I will be ordering my uk copy soon!

  • elbutzo #43 6 years ago

    I can't believe this. They even banned "Doom" from the xbox Live Marketplace in Germany. Can you imagine? Doom!

    If they censor Half Life Episode 2 for 360 as well I'll move to England.

  • itamae #44 6 years ago

    The fact that a pathetic rule is enforced on everyone no matter age, gender or background. What happened to choice?

    You mean the "pathetic rule" that violent games like Gears of War shouldn't be sold to minors? Your "choice" was taken away by Microsoft who decided not to release the game in Germany. Otherwise you could have gone into pretty much any games store, rating or no rating, and bought the game.

    But, do I really give a shit... HELL NO I will be ordering my uk copy soon!

    Result!

  • Rash' #45 6 years ago

    Did that statement say Microsoft is an industry leader??!!

  • Skeletor #46 6 years ago

    @elbutzo
    Why should they censor HL2? Pc version is uncut and USK18.
    If you want XBLA-Doom just create an Austrian account and transfer your Points to it.

  • NOSAVIOUR #47 6 years ago

    we are committed to helping create a safer environment in which all users can enjoy the full benefits of interactive entertainment. We actively support creativity, freedom of expression and personal choice within the industry.

    Says it all, just a shame the German board declined to rate the game. soft Pr:"Ks

  • #48 6 years ago

    Well I stand corrected, but basically, it's not all that far removed from "banned".

    But I do think games ratings should be enforced more strictly in the UK. I also think there's a huge difference in games that try to re-create reality and let you commit violence (GTA games etc) and games like GoW and DR that are so far removed from reality (apart from setting).

  • The-Bodybuilder #49 6 years ago

    It's good that the germans aren't exposed to such violence.

    /goes to watch a native german film.

  • NegativeZero #50 6 years ago

    Great, so I guess we can expect them to follow suit in Australia too. :(

  • Inflatable #51 6 years ago

    Thxs TheBard and Skeletor, that explains it.. Overhere in the Netherlands it's a lot simpler, we just use the PEGI rating system.. http://www.pegi.info

  • SomaticSense #52 6 years ago

    Love that last quote from MS: "We actively support creativity, freedom of expression and personal choice within the industry."

    Pretends to be supporting Germany's stance, but what that quote actually means - especially when mentioning they support creativity - is "Fuck you Germany". Funnier than any of Sony's comments by far!!

  • Edward_Gamer #53 6 years ago

    Like the article says, the Microsoft Xbox 360 is the industry leader in next-generation videogame entertainment with high-definition graphics, true 5.1 sound, online gaming, and downloadable games and demos.

    Dead Rising was not released in Germany because it had graphics that included dead-zombies and lots of blood and gore. This didn't stop Dead Rising from being very popular in Germany, because all gamers needed to do was order the game through an Internet catalog or a telephone catalog.

    When a European country like Germany decides to not carry a gory game like Dead Rising or Gears of War, all you need to do is drive to another nearby country that does carry it, make the purchase, and then come back home. That is almost like someone in the United States driving to another state to make a purchase; it isn't a big deal at all.

    The fact that Gears of War was voted the Best Game of 2006 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo caused people to look forward to playing it a LOT. German citizens can easily import Gears of War and play it on their Xbox 360. I wish the German Xbox 360 owners the best.

    Xbox 360 already is the next-generation videogame industry leader, and it will stay that way for a very long time, especially in Europe. With awesome games like Dead Rising and Gears of War, you can be 100% certain of that, even if a country like German doesn't allow the game to be released in that one spot. The bottom line is that it is WAY too easy for German citizens to purchase games like Dead Rising and Gears of War in other ways and other places, using the Internet, the phone, mail order, or just taking a trip to a nearby country.
    Edited by Edward_Gamer at 20/10/06 @ 22:21

  • GitSomE_UK #54 6 years ago

    @elbutzo

    Nah don't move to England, we may be able to buy 18+ video games everything else is proper fucked!