Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It
September 6, 2008
Yesterday we mentioned a Destructoid report which said that EA's upcoming space-horror-survival title Dead Space had been banned in Germany, Japan and China. Destructoid sourced the info to Dead Space community manager Andrew Green.
Right away, the story didn't pass our smell test:
- Germany, perhaps. They've been tough on game violence of late. But Japan? The home of Resident Evil?
- Does EA even distribute console games in China (due to piracy concerns)?
- No announcements from the individual censorship bodies of the three nations?
- All three bans come in simultaneously?
- Also of note, Australia's notoriously censorious OFLC cleared Dead Space with MA15+
- And the BBFC, which banned Manhunt 2 in the U.K., cleared Dead Space with 18
- No official press release from EA on the alleged bans?
GP immediately contacted EA, with distinctly unsatisfactory results. The top PR dog didn't respond to our e-mail. Later in the day we tracked down the EA guy who is handling Dead Space PR, and put the question to him in two e-mails and a live phone call. Never got an answer one way or the other. EA doesn't know if one of their high profile titles managed to get banned in three countries? Sorry, not buying that. Or, they know but aren't saying? Unacceptable.
GamePolitics reader Afirejar posted a comment to yesterday's story which argued that the supposed German ban was bogus:
I can confirm for a fact that Dead Space has not been banned in Germany. Under German law it's not possible to ban products before they are actually available. The game isn't out yet, so it can't be banned, it's that simple. It's just not possible under German law.
This seems to be nothing more than a marketing stunt, German gaming paper GameStar even has official word from EA, that it's a hoax. The USK ratings process isn't even finished yet. (Sorry, German only)
Later, Videogaming247 cited a German language story by Eurogamer.de, which negates the report of a Dead Space ban in Germany:
Eurogamer.de’s scotched a report that said Dead Space had already been banned in Germany. Basically, it hasn’t.
The site’s spoken to EA Germany, and the game is still with the USK [ratings body], apparently, so no one knows yet if there are going to be any restrictions on the horror’s launch.
GP: It's time for EA to put an end to this nonsense. If there is a multi-country ban, gamers deserve to know about it. If there's not, gamers deserve to stop having their chains yanked...
UPDATE: Hey, I want to point out that I'm not faulting Destructoid here. They were not the only outlet reporting this, just the first. If the info is wrong, it seems that it somehow originated with the community managers of Dead Space.
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Posted 07/03/09 at 06:51pm
Rodrigo Ybáñez García: He gets offended with a bunch of flowers.
Rodrigo Ybáñez García: He gets offended with a bunch of flowers.
Posted 07/03/09 at 06:49pm
GoodRobotUs: LOL He takes offence at the fact he might have *chosen* to be crazy?
GoodRobotUs: LOL He takes offence at the fact he might have *chosen* to be crazy?
Posted 07/03/09 at 06:47pm
Rodrigo Ybáñez García: He warned me to get a lawyer after I called him "crazy by his own choice"... that´s libel for him
Rodrigo Ybáñez García: He warned me to get a lawyer after I called him "crazy by his own choice"... that´s libel for him
Posted 07/03/09 at 06:45pm
HilaryDuffGta: "libel" what did he threaten now?
HilaryDuffGta: "libel" what did he threaten now?
Posted 07/03/09 at 06:44pm
Rodrigo Ybáñez García: Was fun to be threatened for "libel" again.
Rodrigo Ybáñez García: Was fun to be threatened for "libel" again.
Posted 07/03/09 at 06:26pm
HilaryDuffGta: hey so what did i miss??? the usual spam of "crap"
HilaryDuffGta: hey so what did i miss??? the usual spam of "crap"
Posted 07/03/09 at 06:15pm
FlakAttack: Jack ruined his chance to have civil debates with us here. Glad you banned him (again).
FlakAttack: Jack ruined his chance to have civil debates with us here. Glad you banned him (again).
Posted 07/03/09 at 04:04pm
Krono: Unexpected is probably the best word to describe it. Particularly as no decent reason is given.
Krono: Unexpected is probably the best word to describe it. Particularly as no decent reason is given.
Posted 07/03/09 at 03:59pm
GoodRobotUs: Just heard about that myself... kinda unexpected
GoodRobotUs: Just heard about that myself... kinda unexpected
Posted 07/03/09 at 03:58pm
Krono: Huh, apparently Sarah Palin is resigning.
Krono: Huh, apparently Sarah Palin is resigning.
Posted 07/03/09 at 03:34pm
GoodRobotUs: Sounds like he's been mainlining the Angel Dust again
GoodRobotUs: Sounds like he's been mainlining the Angel Dust again
Posted 07/03/09 at 01:50pm
ezbiker555: I'm back. Just in time too, my Jack Thompson sense were going wild
ezbiker555: I'm back. Just in time too, my Jack Thompson sense were going wild
Posted 07/03/09 at 01:47pm
DarkSaber: You mean "playing with himself"? :-P
DarkSaber: You mean "playing with himself"? :-P
Posted 07/03/09 at 01:16pm
Matthew: Oh, Jack's back? I guess he got bored of playing single-player.
Matthew: Oh, Jack's back? I guess he got bored of playing single-player.
Posted 07/03/09 at 01:05pm
Andrew Eisen: I'm leaving most of his comments up but he'll be banned again shortly.
Andrew Eisen: I'm leaving most of his comments up but he'll be banned again shortly.
Posted 07/03/09 at 01:03pm
PHX Corp: So the jackhole finally got through to attack us again
PHX Corp: So the jackhole finally got through to attack us again
Posted 07/03/09 at 01:03pm
Andrew Eisen: I deleted all of JT's off topic stuff.
Andrew Eisen: I deleted all of JT's off topic stuff.
Posted 07/03/09 at 01:00pm
PHX Corp: He also has more BS Law suits agains the florida bar
PHX Corp: He also has more BS Law suits agains the florida bar
Posted 07/03/09 at 12:47pm
DarkSaber: Yep, for once it's a GENUINE Jack Attack.
DarkSaber: Yep, for once it's a GENUINE Jack Attack.
Posted 07/03/09 at 12:29pm
Kincyr: hey Dennis, Jack's comment on the LBP article is redundant to a comment in the Eagle Forum articleand a comment in the SGC09 article. Shouldn't duplicate spam be removed?
Kincyr: hey Dennis, Jack's comment on the LBP article is redundant to a comment in the Eagle Forum articleand a comment in the SGC09 article. Shouldn't duplicate spam be removed?
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Comments
What do you expect of Destructoid? They're a bunch of reckless jerks. Jack Thompson
EZK: When You comment gets flagged as spam, don't just keep posting it hoping to get one through. We will clear it as long as it is not spam. This one is not spam and Ilet it through.
Are you still holding a grudge because they had the nerve to cover you during the Bully case? Because it really wasn't their fault you came out looking like a jackass.
I'll love to know which gaming news sites you view as respectable.
Likely just the PTC's website.
Or the LaRouche website.
So you see yourself when you look at them?
Likely just the PTC's website sohbet etmek icin sohbet thanks you
________
Saç Ekimi
Oh, here's an update, Mr. Thompson.
Yeah, looks like you were 'right' about Ike since now it's getting more attention.
BUT. (and this is a big but) That's only because meteorologists KNOW WHERE ITS GOING NOW. When a system is JUST formed, it takes them a while to figure out what the crap it's going to do. Just because a system APPEARS around the Phillipenes, doesn't mean that 100% of them make a beeline for the Florida panhandle.
Hurricanes are unpredictable. Lawyers aren't supposed to know that. Which is something you SHOULD have been the past 30-someodd years.
Color me confused. But the Philippines is in the PACIFIC Ocean, not the Atlantic. It's closer to Hong Kong than the Florida panhandle.
CRAP. I mixed up the islands in my head...
ROFL Smooth one, Dave!
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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.
Hey Thompson, calling them reckless jerks? Wow...ummm yeah. Can we say: "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." or better yet: "Pot calling kettle, pot calling kettle...I think yer black, mate."
Has Destructoid been brought up on charges of harassment and lying? No, wait, that is you!
I for one think that this Jack Thompson impersonator should be banned (IP address). I for one am fed up with it.The real Jack Thompson wouldn't bother with something like this. Jack is a troll but this one is even more annoying.
And Dennis, you know Jack is going to accuse you of "harbouring identity theft". I think an IP ban would be a win/win, for you, us readers and laugh at Jack when he actually does post. The only loser would be an annoying troll who should expect to get a ban.
Actually it is the real Jack, or they would have dumped the whole post. They don't like fake Jacks either.
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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.
In my oppinion, posts by JT should actually be highlighted, he would be like a pet troll we make fun of
I mean, C'mon, who doesn't like to make fun of good ol' JT?
Did anyone expect Destructoid, the crass, drunken uncle of Kotaku, to be any more tactful?
So if the game isn't banned in three countries the question becomes did they get faulty information or did they make it up?
They're probably trying to up sales, by pretending the game has been banned in some countries.
Like for example Manhunt 2 only sold any copies is because of the controversy.
seconded... after looking into EA's current way of doing business, they are trying to massively improve their PR, including TTwo fans. By having more games 'banned', they can sway a few TTwo fans... well, at least that they won't make GTA too kiddy.
They paid G4TV's show Xplay some massive hard cash to talk nice about them, saying they USED to be evil (though we all know they always will be, once you go evil, you never go back), as well as paying off founders of id, and other outlets. They also paid massive hard cash for a episode of a show for TLC to pretty much advertise spore like a dirty whore. EA is investing a lot of money to change their image, and that includes a lot of lying that you see going around.
GameSpot, as well as other game sites, gets paid some massive hard cash to not release bad reviews for games until after games have been released for a little while, gearing articles to talk nice about EA and make them seem like the good guy as much as possible without raising suspicion, jack up review scores for some of their games, delete bad reviews from users, and moderate people who are just casually talking about certain games like Madden in a light EA does not approve of.
I might dislike EA a lot, but you haven't given a single iota of proof to back your statements.
Which parts do you want proof for? It is business, and they know how to do business. As a business person do I blame them? Okay, yeah I do, because I feel they should have more pride in their consumers, but they are a greedy company, have been for a while, and most likely always will be for now on. That is part of being a big company. Though I do like to talk trash and try to get people against them, it wont stop them because they will always fool the majority of people, because they have the money to back them. (Money talks, and it talks very loudly.)
The person with the biggest club will always control the rest of the people. Early man it was a wooden club, now it is a group of people with a lot of money... (something like that, I couldn't remember who said it, or find the quote...)
Well that's good then. Ironically I found this great artwork from a fan of the game which depicts a good fight scene between the main character and the Necromorphs.
http://img441.imageshack.us/my.php?image=issacfightingnecromorphxq1.png
That's not on, sir.
SPOILER ALERT!
ASSHOLE ALERT!
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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.
Sheesh! Why did being banned become a good thing? Last I recall, being banned means a profit loss, so a company would do their damndest to STOP being banned, not bragging about it.
People get interested in a game by the very virtue of the fact that it is banned. If you tell a kid he can't have something, he'll only want it more. A game being "banned" in this day and age only generates buzz. It's a cheap marketing tactic.
http://www.darkesword.com/
Being banned is a profit loss - saying that you are isn't. Judging by the wikipedia article about "Banned in Boston". this isn't exactly new either.
Like you didn't get a sudden urge to play Manhunt2 when you heard it was banned
(if you didn't, you sir, are a philisteine)
True, I didn't want dead space before :P And will an admin please kill that anon and roast him on a spit?
Your soul is a tasty refreshing treat to ones such as I
What do you mean by that good sir?
I mean I like chicken
oh and I wanted to find out the ending to dead space on my own, a trick link is frowned upon in these parts
Your soul is a tasty refreshing treat to ones such as I
Here have an apology.
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/3264/myapologyjn4.jpg
HOLY SHIT!!! What the fuck was that?
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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.
Apology accepted
...
DAMNIT I was trying to do the vader thing and strangle you... do you feel strangled at all yet?
why not get an acc here?
Your soul is a tasty refreshing treat to ones such as I
No they can not ban a game however they can refuse classification- essentially a ban
I was planning to buy dead space for the 360, Why ban it in europe?, Cause i recall a temporary ban on Manhunt 1 after some senseless killing in europe, But i bet a demand for the dead space would cause the ban to be lifted like the manhunt 1, Cause some of the best video games are always in demand at EU,Im trying to buy a Ps2 game right now that wasnt released in the US.
I don't think it was banned but several stores in the UK pulled it from the shelves for a while when it was linked to the murder of a 14 year old by his friend, the victims mother claimed the killer was obsessed with the Game. The police denied any link stating it was a drugs related robbery and the trial Judge placed sole responsibility for the murder on the killer (who had pleased guilty). The situation was unique to Manhunt so wouldn't set any precedent for the release of Dead Space.
That Manhunt episode in the UK becomes only more ridiculous the more you read up on it. The murderer didn't even own the game, but the victim did.
The controversy surrounding Mercenaries Two managed to get me to shell out the money for it on release day. I wasn't entirely interested in it, but in the end the availablility at my local shop while I was browsing as well as the questions rumbling in my head caused me to jump at it.
Controversy can generate sales, just think about Derezz's video on the "Jack Thompson" movie.
---- There is a limit for both politicians against video games, and video games against politicians. http://www.goteamretard.com
The tought of a game where you get to parodically kill Hugo Chavez and the fact that he's actually offended by it....
ohhhh, it's such a magical feeling... must... buy... it...
Ah so its not baned in Germany yet? China likes money more than gore, they prefer banning thought though.
I would not be surprised if it was delayed and edited down for Japan.
I is fuzzy brained mew =^^=
http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/
(in need of a bad overhaul)
I can't confirm that it's not banned in Japan, but at least one major Japan based online company is still selling/offering free shipping to Japan of all versions of the game.
Confirmation or no, it's really impossible to believe Japan of all places banning a game, let alone Dead Space. I mean, they didn't ban MOH: Pacific Assault, even though there would be more of a reason to ban that.
It's a bit more believable with Germany and China, but not this soon.
Japan ban a game? I could tell it was some kind of hoax just from that.
Yeah, in Japan, like... 9 games out of 10 end up with someone, or multiple people, getting violated by giant tentacle monsters.
---You are likely to be eaten by a Grue.
Dose not mean they donot force a random game to be toned down, dead raising for isntance, even RE4...
I is fuzzy brained mew =^^=
http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/
(in need of a bad overhaul)
GUFFAW'd
"If there is a multi-country ban, gamers deserve to know about it."
Gamers also deserve not to be told to buy a new copy of Mass Effect for PC after 3 installs. (Heaven forbid someone need to free space on their HDD.) EA is completely unconcerned with what gamers deserve.
To be fair, they were already told to call support and get their key reactivated after three installs. I'm on my fifth install, even after a major hardware upgrade, and haven't had to pay a dime extra yet.
What's wrong with bashing countries for banning a game? Do tell me why that is wrong and try not to sound like a typical elitist prig in the process.
Just guessing here, but I think he meant the overall culture-bashing, ethnicity-bashing, and nation-bashing that ensues after enough moronic politicians from a specific landmass make a law that negatively affects videogames. Since, as we all know, politicians rarely represent their people too accurately.
For that matter, bsahing a country for a moronic video game law is the same as blaming an entire country for a war that their leaders started.
I'm calling humourous troll. "Americans are stupid for generalising nations." While we're on the subject, homophobia is totally gay.
"...homophobia is totally gay."
That's an "Amen" right there, Matt. LEGENDARY Win!
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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.
it is not surprising that dead space got through with out any edits in the u.k since we have pretty good guide lines in place and since it seems that for the majority of the game you are fighting enemy's that barely look like humans they would let it get through with ease (see doom 3). On a realeted note the development team on dead space have said they removed stuff them self's because they found it in to bad taste.
Yeah, But if the game is realised, Im hoping it is my moneys worth, It wouldnt be that fun if they started to remove content, The game wouldnt be scary anymore,It probably be just as lame As obscure series,But i'd never see the day japan would start banning games,They created them, and im hoping to go to japan someday too.
God you're a dumbass for not realizing that the PR guy wanted to screw with peoples minds.
Technically, video games as we know them weren't created in Japan.
They're actually an American invention. I think it was i nthe 1950s Ralph Baer thought up the idea and put it into practice with The Brown Box and later the Obysee.
Japan just pretty much saved video games for mfading form memory permanently.
yup, Ralph Baer is the inventor/father of video games, and Nolan Bushnell is the father of the game industry since he is the guy that turned it into profit. Both are Americans, even though Nintendo is the responsible for the rebirth of the game industry. I definitely give them props for bringing the industry back alive, but America definitely started it.
Does anyone else still think it is funny that Steve Jobs leaving Atari/Nolan and starting Apple is one of the funniest things in the world? I have known that for so long, but just thinking, Steve is now so freakin rich and can do whatever he wants, and hates video games so much that he refuses to make it easy to make video games for anything apple makes on purpose... Key example, iPhone, haha.
I believe that they just ban it now and later allow it to be sold.
Thats good advertisement, isn't it? The game sounds interesting to me and now I want to play it just because I want to know why the hell they banned it...
Found this on the deadspace website about the banning.
http://deadspace.ea.com/blog/
I wanted to find out the ending to dead space on my own, a trick sohbet link is frowned upon in these parts Saç Ekimi