Swastikas are likely to appear in video games again – and that in Germany. A long-standing regulation is now being overturned.
Symbols that are unconstitutional, such as swastikas or SS runes, are fundamentally banned in computer games on the German market. Games with such content are rigorously filtered out and do not receive a youth rating in Germany. However, this could now change: the USK (Entertainment Software Self-Regulation) has announced that it will make use of a special clause for video games. The depiction of unconstitutional symbols is therefore fundamentally possible.
Are video games equal art?
Application of the social adequacy clause. The USK has explained in a press release that in the future, the so-called “social adequacy clause” will apply to games. This has allowed for a long time in other media to show unconstitutional symbols when used in “areas of science and education, art or civic enlightenment.”
As video games are considered cultural assets and thus art, the regulation can also be applied here.
The debate has been ongoing for years. The ban on unconstitutional symbols in media has been heavily criticized for years. In artistic contexts – such as films, stage programs or similar – swastikas are not a problem and are covered by artistic freedom.
In video games, however, swastikas have not been tolerated so far and have automatically led to a refusal of approval. That is now set to change. Video games are thus one step closer to equality with other artistic media.
Individual examinations remain. In the future, however, games will continue to be examined by the USK for their suitability for young people. As they do now, the USK can still deny games a rating if certain standards and principles are not adhered to. The new rules do not change that.
Older games could receive approval. Publishers can now also submit older games for review again in order to have a chance at approval for the original version. Especially games like the Wolfenstein series come to mind. Whether the publishers will take advantage of this with old games remains to be seen.
No guarantee of approval. However, the new regulation is not a guarantee that developers will actually submit the original version with such content to the USK or receive approval. Since a review often takes a lot of time, it is quite possible that content in games will continue to be cut down to ensure approval from the USK.
In the event of a refusal, a game would have to undergo a second review for weeks – and then the “hype” around the game and thus the customer base may have already faded.
What do you think of this step? Do you think it is good that games, like other artistic media, can now use such symbolism? Or should this have nothing to do with our past in Germany?
