Switzerland Considers Tougher Rules for Game Sales

[Bobby_C]

You can't seriously blame videogames for the gun related actions of (a member of) the army, since soldiers have been shooting people since ranged warfare was invented, hundreds if not thousands of years before videogames.

Well, it's a bit trickier than that, because while the service weapon is a common suicide weapon as far as I understand using it for murdering others (and others that aren't practice cardboard targets) is a fairly recent trend (been happening, say, mostly around the last ten years), and having that young a perpetrator is a really recent trend (usually it's more of a midlife crisis thing). Since there's otherwise about a quarter of the population possessing the same rifle they're naturally trying to find some other factor that set the guy apart.

Plus it's easier to pick on videogames, which are probably frowned upon or at least misunderstood by most citizens over 30, than the army, a federal institution in which most of said citizens served and one of the symbols of the country.

 

[Ragsnstitches]

This is so full of stupid, that it has changed my perspective on life...

 

[Premonition]

Resolution one deserves an applause. Resolution two on the other hand needs to be taken off the table completely unless they also ban mature movies, song, books and comics ...

 

[XJ-0461]

Ugh. Can we, as a species, get over the whole "videogames will destroy society" thing? The people who say this sort of thing are the same type who said that TV would be the death of the film industry, and look how that worked out.

And why can't people see things from Penn and Teller's point of view? Lemme see if I can find a link...

EDIT: Here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlSIqJpXI5A&feature=related

Spread the word, people!

 

[gim73]

So they think that an ARMY CONSCRIPT with MILITARY TRAINING learned to aim his gun at people FROM A VIDEO GAME? First of all, while we might have a few light gun peripherals, the wiimote and that cannon for the SNES, there is no sniper rifle video game peripheral that teaches you to shoot a gun like in real life (although there IS an iphone app for that). When you are in the ARMY they DO teach you how to shoot a gun, and actually provide you with weapons while on duty. As to WHY a 21 year old guy would shoot a 16 year old girl, it's not that hard to actually piece together something even without any facts. They were probably involved together romantically, then she cheated on him, so he shot her in the face. This story isn't even original. OJ Simpson made it a little more fun by not getting caught and a slow speed car chase down the freeway, but it's happened so many times in history that it's a constant universal truth.

 

[TheDoctor455]

That's what always gets me about politicians that go on and on about how they're doing this "for the children": they, for some damn reason, fail to realize that being a child is TEMPORARY.

 

[GetIt8]

There have been some interesting developments in Switzerland recently, like the possible banning of burqas. It brings up the old question of how much violence in media effects (young) people or not. If they decide to ban these computer games it more than likely wont solve anything as the forbidden appeals even more and besides, if they want to avoid hypocrisy they would also have to ban most TV programs.

 

[metalhead467]

Ok, I'm getting reallyyyyyyy sick of this crap. People don't understand video games, so they freak out and ban them.

WHEN WILL THE MADNESS STOP

 

[Jared]

Again they don't go to the source...Stop the bloody parents!!!

I don't see this going over well. Atkinsons ideals are spreading...

 

[Odjin]

Funny... I live in Switzerland but that's not a topic here. What kind of news is that?

 

[Bobby_C]

Funny... I live in Switzerland but that's not a topic here. What kind of news is that?

Actually got a small paragraph in "Le Temps" this morning. No one's really paying attention because as long as the parliament hasn't debated it it's not really that notable an item, plus all the attention was given back in 2007 when the projects were first submitted.

Resolution one deserves an applause.

I think you forgot the " It would also become illegal for anyone in the country to purchase a videogame that hasn't been rated by PEGI" bit. Effectively outlaws importing games. Wanna play that great american or japanese game no european company wants to buy he rights for? Too bad!

 

[SturmDolch]

Gahuh!? What the fuck? I'm glad my parents moved to Canada before having me, then! I can't wait to get my referenda papers in the mail and vote against this shit. But considering all the old conservative people that live there, I wouldn't be surprised if this gets passed.

Edit:

Funny... I live in Switzerland but that's not a topic here. What kind of news is that?

You know, one time there was this article in my newspaper about some black guy being attacked by a guy with a chainsaw in the Swiss mountains. It was a giant story here, with lots of name-calling against the Swiss as a nation of xenophobic racist pricks. When we asked our relatives living there, they hadn't heard anything about it. Including my grandfather who listens to the news all day.

 

[tomtom94]

FFFFFFUUUU-

This is why all politicians must be shot and replaced with people who actually know what the fuck they're doing!

 

[Eldarion]

What happened Switzerland? You used to be cool.

*Throws sword into the ground*

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not you to!!!!!

We have to save the Swis, it may be too late for Australia, but dammit I won't lose Switzerland!!!

 

[geldonyetich]

I'm surprised to hear it. From what I heard about Switzerland, you'll find hardcore porno on the newsstands and pot being smoked openly. Doesn't sound like a place that would restrict the sales of video games.

 

[Premonition]

Funny... I live in Switzerland but that's not a topic here. What kind of news is that?

Actually got a small paragraph in "Le Temps" this morning. No one's really paying attention because as long as the parliament hasn't debated it it's not really that notable an item, plus all the attention was given back in 2007 when the projects were first submitted.

Resolution one deserves an applause.

I think you forgot the " It would also become illegal for anyone in the country to purchase a videogame that hasn't been rated by PEGI" bit. Effectively outlaws importing games. Wanna play that great american or japanese game no european company wants to buy he rights for? Too bad!

A pity applause ... forgot the word pity. As in, applauding the retarded kid on stage who tried, but failed.

 

[Xersues]

I don't understand how burying your head in the sand as a country is supposed to deter violence. This is up there with the whole "Maybe if we don't know about it, we won't do it" shit.

Fear, sex, anger, and violence are part of animal nature. Just because we have a cognitive way to represent/control it doesn't mean we don't have to fight it any more/less than this fucking cat sitting next to me. The difference is, when my vacuum is on, I don't need to run under the couch. I KNOW that it isn't a threat to me.

Just like video games. Are NO threat to society. It's just media. Fuckers.

Love it or hate it, I'm glad I live in a country that at least has a piece of paper to protect free speech. As much as people try to take it away.

 

[One of Many]

What happened Switzerland? You used to be cool.

*Throws sword into the ground*

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not you to!!!!!

We have to save the Swis, it may be too late for Australia, but dammit I won't lose Switzerland!!!

Quickly! We must raise the legions of Anonymous and march to the aid of the Swiss! This nation of bankers and knife-makers must not be lost to the gamer cause!