Online petition stalls plan to ban violent videogames in Germany

[vaio]

Online petition stalls plan to ban violent videogames in Germany

German government must look again at a ban on violent games after nearly 70,000 sign online petition 

A scene from Counter-Strike Source

German government plans to ban violent videogames will have to be put on hold, after a successful internet petition by German gamers.

The e-petition, hosted on the official forums of the Bundestag, the German parliament, has passed the 50,000 signatures necessary to force a government review.

Last month the country's 16 interior ministers asked the Bundestag to ban the creation and distribution of games involving violent acts against human or human-like characters. Government criticism of videogameshad been growing since a school shooting in March was linked to online-shooter Counter-Strike.

Officials had hoped to bring in a ban before federal elections in September, but the level of online opposition means the Bundestag must now examine and discuss gamers' demands. With more than 67,000 signatures, the e-petition calls for a ruling against the ban of violent videogames and an increased focus on keeping such games out of children's hands. German gamers also want more government promotion of the videogame industry.

Even with the review, the ban may still go ahead. Last month a petition against internet censorship reached 130,000 signatures, but the law still passed in a modified form. If the videogame ban shares a similar fate it could force German-based developers such as Crytek, creators of Far Cry and Crysis, to leave the country.

Any German citizen may submit a petition to the Bundestag, either in writing or online, and have it published on the official forums to allow discussion and gather support. Any that reach 50,000 signatures in under six weeks will then be read and discussed in parliament.

The UK Government has its own e-petition website, but there is no requirement for discussion in the House of Commons.

Instead, any petition with 500 signatures is passed on to officials at Downing Street or the relevant Government department for response. The current leading petition, with nearly 70,000 signatures, calls for Prime Minister Gordon Brown to resign.