If the German Government has its way, we could be looking at an EU-wide ban on violent games. It has taken the initiative to the European Commission's justice minsters, requesting for more control over violent gaming across the 27 countries in the Union.

"A certain degree of linkage between the growing violence among the younger generation and the growing diffusion of violent games exists," said European Justice commissioner Franco Frattini during Dresden meeting last Tuesday.

In connection with their initiative, the German Government announced it was conducting a study of each of the country's rules governing video gaming. The study is hoped to help establish a centralized ruling system.

"The Commission wants to see a combination of outright bans on the most violent games, together with minimum age rules on other titles," Frattini said.

In related news, the Interactive Software Federation of Europe objected to the proposed ban. While they agreed on Frattini's reiteration of protecting children from bad influences, they strongly proposed an age-rating system much like in movies instead of outright prohibition

It will be remembered that Bavaria's Gunther Beckstein had made a similar statement, when he called for the ban of violent games like Counter-Strike and Call of Duty 3 in Germany last year. Consider this your latest news from the country that's brought us Heckler & Koch, Mauser, Walther...

What's going on in Germany? First they threatened to lock up the makers and publishers of video games which portrayed "cruel violence on humans or human-looking characters". Then they threatened to jail the people who played these games as well. Now, they're considering banning violent games altogether.

Sigh. It's tough to be a German gamer these days.

In any case, this recent string of events has been triggered by a recent shooting incident in that country, in which the scapegoat culprit has apparently been the person-with-a-gun's addiction to violent video games. Now, to add to the already-stringent censorship policies, a new bill has been proposed by the German states of Bavaria and Lower Saxony. This one advocates even more tightening of content moderation which could then lead to the complete banning of games which feature "cruel violence". First and foremost among those that may be affected by this legislation would be FPS titles such as CounterStrike and Call of Duty 3. This proposed bill is due to be discussed next year.

According to Bavarian interior minister Gunther Beckstein, "It is absolutely beyond any doubt that such killer games desensitize unstable characters to violence and can have a stimulating effect."

Right.

What do we have to say about all this? Only that parents should pay more attention to their kids, and that people should Respect the Ratings.

The recent developments in Germany are alarming. It would be remembered that not so long ago, we covered a school shooting incident that was blamed on videogames. Two weeks after that, the German government became vocal on its stance in jailing developers.

What's happening now is that a couple of German regional governments are proposing to jail even the players. Accordingly, Bavaria and Lower Saxony recently drafted a bill that will subject "guilty parties" to a penalty and a maximum of one year in prison. The proposal will come before the upper house of parliament not earlier than next year but as of now, it is already wreaking havoc.

Furthermore, several politicians like Bavarian Interior Minister Gunther Beckstein are milking the issue, making things worse for the already worried and beleaguered local gaming industry. "It is absolutely beyond any doubt that such killer games desensitise unstable characters and can have a stimulating effect," reiterated Beckstein.

On the other hand, some of the local companies have banded together, trying to resist this proposals. Sadly, their force is not gaining ground for now. For what it's worth, at least they are willing to meet this storm head on. Federation of online gaming teams Deutsche E-Sport Bund is one of those who are openly holding their ground. According to their head Frank Sliwka, "We have among the most drastic censorship rules for games. Now we are being labelled as a breeding ground for unstable, dysfunctional and violent youngsters."

Back in 2003, Germany amended its laws telling developers to excise violent content from the German versions of their games. The amendment was prompted by another instance of shooting spree. We will be giving you more updates as this scenario progresses.