Norwegian Retailers Get Rid Of Games After Attacks

[vansau]

Norwegian Retailers Get Rid Of Games After Attacks

Following the devastating attacks in Norway, a couple of retailers are pulling the games that the accused murderer cited in his manifesto.

Last week, Anders Behring Breivik claimed responsibility for <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Norway_attacks#Casualties_2>the terrorist attacks in Norway that ultimately claimed the lives of 77 people. While the country is still reeling from the tragedy, a couple of retailers have decided to pull the games that Breivik cited in his manifesto.

Breivik's 1,500 page document (which it turns out <a href=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/norway/8658269/Norway-shooting-Anders-Behring-Breivik-plagiarised-Unabomber.html>had large sections plagiarized from the Unabomber's manifesto) claimed that World of Warcraft gave him a useful cover story while he secluded himself to plot the attacks and also stated that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was a useful way to hone one's shooting skills. Unsurprisingly, certain stores don't want to have any association with Breivik, however tenuous.

According to ITavisen, retail chains Coop Norway and Platekomaniet have both pulled the the following games from their shelves:

? <a href=http://www.amazon.com/Call-Duty-Black-Ops-Xbox-360/dp/B003JVKHEQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1312056477&sr=1-1>Call of Duty: Black Ops
? <a href=http://www.amazon.com/Call-Duty-Modern-Warfare-Xbox-360/dp/B00269QLI8/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1312056445&sr=1-1>Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
? Call of Duty: World at War Platinum
? <a href=http://www.amazon.com/Call-Duty-Modern-Warfare-Xbox-360/dp/B0016B28Y8/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1312056404&sr=1-1>Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Classic
? <a href=http://www.amazon.com/Sniper-Ghost-Warrior-Playstation-3/dp/B004EDJOYC/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1312056348&sr=1-1>Sniper Ghost Warrior
? <a href=http://www.amazon.com/Counter-Strike-Source-Pc/dp/B000AOJ7FK/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1312056221&sr=1-1>Counter-Strike: Source
? <a href=http://www.amazon.com/World-Warcraft-Battle-Chest-Mac/dp/B000H96C9M/ref=sr_1_2?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1312056084&sr=1-2>World of Warcraft
? <a href=http://www.amazon.com/Homefront-Xbox-360/dp/B003Q53VZC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312055890&sr=8-1>Homefront

However, these games haven't been permanently removed from the stores. Reportedly, the decision to pull the games is a temporary one that was made "out of respect and in respect to those affected [by the attacks]."

Source: <a href=http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=no&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=no&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itavisen.no%2F874728%2Fdisse-spillene-fjernes-fra-hyllene&act=url>ITavisen

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[AstylahAthrys]

Because, you know, the shootings totally didn't happen because the guy was a crazy extremest and mentally unstable. At least it's only temporary that the games are gone, I hope logic prevails and they're put back on shelves soon.

 

[Condor219]

And nothing of value was lost.

Agreed.

But why was World of Warcraft pulled? I can see why they'd stop selling violent shooters concurrent with what actually happened, but how is that relevant, even if he used it as a "cover story"?

 

[Goldeneye103X2]

Norwegians were only doing everyone favors by removing Homefront and Sniper: Ghost warrior. Just?go with it.

 

[imnot]

And nothing of value was lost.

Hate to say it but I agree :3
IMMA BRACING FOR THE HATE!

Although WoW seems rather, odd dont you get that online anyway?
Or do you have to buy it first?

 

[USSR]

World of Warcraft..?

I..
huh?
Why?

 

[PixelKing]

He used WoW as a cover, nothing else.

And nothing of value was lost.

*cough*Counter Strike*cough*

EDIT: Someone posted that in his manifesto he was encouraging other extremists to use WoW as a cover story, thanks for pointing that out. And I'd just like to say R.I.P to all the dead and my sorrows go out to the families of the dead.

 

[Verlander]

Good for them. They aren't profiteering off of products named in a pathetic, but inspirational (to some) attack.

I could see Amazon putting Mein Kamph on special if it had been around in the 30's

 

[Alex Cowan]

And nothing of value was lost.

Agreed.

But why was World of Warcraft pulled? I can see why they'd stop selling violent shooters concurrent with what actually happened, but how is that relevant?

He cited WoW in his document, claiming that a professed addiction to it could be used as a cover story when people questioned his suspicious behavior. Indeed, he was actively encouraging other extremists to take up playing it, as it apparently makes it possible to justify actions that would other wises rouse suspicion.

EDIT: Seems some crafty ninjas have made the point before me, probably by using fewer words -.-

 

[Stealthygamer]

In my honest opinion CSS is the only good game there, and its much cheaper to get it off steam

 

[MetallicaRulez0]

Madman points to games as training material to incite idiotic media affiliates, media affiliates believe him, everyone overreacts, and the intelligent among us roll our eyes.

Nothing to see here.

 

[mad825]

"out of respect and in respect to those affected [by the attacks]."

huh, really? what about the food and drinks he likes...And his favourite utility company,political party, music band, his (assumed) porn collection? What about them!?

Maddness >.>

 

[teh_Canape]

And nothing of value was lost.

what are you talking about?
Counter Strike: Source is awesome

 

[Kiefer13]

While I can't say I'm really a fan of any of the games they've pulled, that is irrelevant and this is still ridiculous. Even if it's only a temperory measure, I fail to see how this respects the families of the victims. If anything, it insults the intelligence of everyone in Norway that can play a game and then not go on a violent rampage. Y'know, like everyone that wasn't already extremely mentally unstable in the first place.

 

[Sojoez]

1 month later...
Quote from a Norwegian game store clerk.
"Yeah, Online stores like Steam and D2D are the cause of bad sales..."

 

[matt_newgrove]

He used WoW as a cover, nothing else.

And nothing of value was lost.

*cough*Counter Strike*cough*

Counter Strike *cough* "Source" *cough*. Statement remains valid, nothing of value was lost.

 

[ImprovizoR]

Those retailers are morons. And that's just putting it mildly.

 

[Prince Regent]

I read parts of his manifesto. He also played Dragon age: Origins, Fallout New vegas and even described himself as an "RPG man". He does state that he used the first person shooters as "training", but really he could had just as well joined a paintball club.

Anyway he only started playing FPSes After he started planning the attack.



On a sidenote, as a curiousity of my own strange mind; I wonder what faction he joined in New Vegas.