Doom, the acclaimed first person shooter from id Software, known to be one of the milestones in PC gaming, has finally been cleared by the German government after 17 long years of confinement to a select few shops, out of reach of teenagers. The game was included in a list of controlled titles in 1994 on a scale similar to pornography, stating that it harms the youth. The restrictions have now been relaxed as it is considered that Doom is now only for artistic and scientific interest, and no longer of any appeal to the younger generation. Nevertheless, a version of the game featuring Nazi symbols continues to be on the list.
Restrictions on Doom and Doom II have been eased because the current crop of games available even for mobile phones, sport far better and realistic graphics with gory detail. In an email to the BBC, Germany's Federal Department of Media Harmful to Young Persons (Bundesprufstelle) has stated that they try to find if a game contains "drastic portrayals of violence directed against humans or human-like beings". They added, "If the game then does not contain any real alternative scenes which might on the whole 'neutralise' the violent parts, then the game is likely to be found to have a harmful effect on minors". It said that the restrictions were relaxed mainly because this game was now "mainly of historical interest" and was less likely to be played by children.
While Doom may go on sale in Germany, it will still be available only to those aged 16 and above. Doom II - Hell on Earth will also be available in a similar manner, but the panel has decided to continue restrictions on the American version of this game because it includes two levels from Wolfenstein 3D, which is known for its abundance of Nazi symbols.
Gamers or the general population in India will find it difficult to understand the reason for this ban and may even consider it as a measure of extreme paranoia. However, it remains a fact that the events of World War II are still fresh in the minds of the German population, and games related to Nazi symbolism are treated with extreme caution. Nevertheless, if the Bundesprufstelle would have treated all games in a similar manner, we don't think that any of the FPS would have passed its criteria because it is rare to find any without its share of gory violent details.
We leave you with a five-minute gameplay showing the first two levels of Doom
Restrictions on Doom and Doom II have been eased because the current crop of games available even for mobile phones, sport far better and realistic graphics with gory detail. In an email to the BBC, Germany's Federal Department of Media Harmful to Young Persons (Bundesprufstelle) has stated that they try to find if a game contains "drastic portrayals of violence directed against humans or human-like beings". They added, "If the game then does not contain any real alternative scenes which might on the whole 'neutralise' the violent parts, then the game is likely to be found to have a harmful effect on minors". It said that the restrictions were relaxed mainly because this game was now "mainly of historical interest" and was less likely to be played by children.
While Doom may go on sale in Germany, it will still be available only to those aged 16 and above. Doom II - Hell on Earth will also be available in a similar manner, but the panel has decided to continue restrictions on the American version of this game because it includes two levels from Wolfenstein 3D, which is known for its abundance of Nazi symbols.
Gamers or the general population in India will find it difficult to understand the reason for this ban and may even consider it as a measure of extreme paranoia. However, it remains a fact that the events of World War II are still fresh in the minds of the German population, and games related to Nazi symbolism are treated with extreme caution. Nevertheless, if the Bundesprufstelle would have treated all games in a similar manner, we don't think that any of the FPS would have passed its criteria because it is rare to find any without its share of gory violent details.
We leave you with a five-minute gameplay showing the first two levels of Doom
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