The game “Bundesfighter II Turbo” shows how AFD politician Alexander Gauland forms a mirrored NS symbol. But this will not lead to an indictment. The public prosecutor’s office believes that the game serves art and civic education.
As the “Association for Germany’s Video and Computer Gamers” reports, the Stuttgart public prosecutor’s office will not conduct any investigations against the game “Bundesfighter II Turbo”. The game falls under the satire exception.
What is Bundesfighter II Turbo? The online browser game is a satire on the federal election campaign. The leading candidates from back then compete against each other like in Street Fighter. The game comes from “funk”, the somehow youthful internet branch of ARD and ZDF. Since they are organizationally under SWR, the Stuttgart public prosecutor’s office is responsible.
Where is there a swastika? The leading candidate of the AFD, Alexander Gauland, uses a mirrored swastika. During the second of his jump attacks, he crosses his arms and legs into this symbol.
Public prosecutor sees Bundesfighter 2 Turbo protected by freedom of art
Why should there have been problems? The representation of anti-constitutional symbols is not permitted. This refers to a ruling by the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt from 1998. It was often cited when it came to swastikas in video games. They were long considered taboo in Germany. The gaming magazine Pc Powerplay once had a video on a magazine DVD that showed a swastika flag. Consequently, the entire print run was recalled and pulped.
Why is nothing happening here? Although a report against Bundesfighter 2 Turbo was filed, the competent public prosecutor’s office in Stuttgart decided not to initiate an investigation. It is acknowledged that there is a mirrored swastika present. However, the publication of the online game serves “art and civic education.” It is a satire in the form of an online game with exaggerated characters.
A step toward “games as an accepted art form”
Backing for the decision. A complaint has been filed against this decision of the prosecutor in Stuttgart by the complainant. However, the Attorney General’s office also considers the case resolved. They state that the current legal situation is outdated.
What is special about this? This is the first known decision by a public prosecutor not to conduct an investigation in such a case against a game, according to the Association for Germany’s Video and Computer Gamers. It sounds funny, but it could be seen as a step towards the acceptance of video games as an art form – even in legal matters.
