The Unfriendly Side of German Game Development

As hysterical as American media and politicians can get over 'violent' videogames, the folks making games in Germany have it a whole lot worse. Tim Partlett (a developer at Crytek) shared his experience with the Quarter to Three forums, describing what it's like to be raided for making a videogame. He describes what it's like to be hated for your job, and laments the attitude of the nation towards his chosen line of work. From the article: "At the time of the (2002 Erfurt school) shooting, we were already in development of Far Cry ... We were just across the state border from Erfurt in northern Bavaria. Tensions in the region were high ... In 2004 the Bavarian authorities sent in the state troopers... When the small tech team appeared to inspect our computers, they were accompanied by over one hundred flak-jacketed riot police, all armed with Heckler and Koch sub-machine guns. It was a total overreaction... They arrived first thing in the morning, and kicked down our doors. They even raided the nearby private residences ... I was caught just outside the office ... We were all shepherded into our Mo-Cap room, and there we were forced to remain until questioned, prevented from leaving by dozens of armed guards."

Interesting

[badenglishihave]

This explains why those villains in Far Cry all look like Germans.

Obligatory

[inviolet]

Für die Kinder, Kamerad!

Another Obliatory..

[me_mi_mo]

We Germans are not all smiles...

Nobody

[MoOsEb0y]

expects a Spanish^H^H^H^H^H^H^HGerman inquisition!

I liked Austria's better

[Palshife]

And this is how we develop games in Germany, Herr Jones. *punch*

Over one hundred flak-jacketed riot police

[Anonymous Coward]

They were probably worried about those jumping mutants with those fucking arms that seem to reach out forever. I hate those!

Re:Another Obliatory..

[Rude Turnip]

What do you expect from a nation whose language has no translation for the word "fluffy?"

In Fascist Germany

[Anonymous Coward]

In Fascist Germany game plays you

Re:Another Obliatory..

[heinousjay]

Thank you, kind sir. I was in danger of laughing, and it would be most unfortunate for me to find something humorous. Without your service in destroying my mirth, I could, even now, be in a good mood. I shudder to consider the consequences.

Re:Who did this?

[vega80]

When they came for the videogame developers, I did not speak out. Then they came for the violent videogames, I did not speak out. Then they came for the videogames with sex, I did not speak out. Now I have nothing to play but Nintendo videogames. Apologies to Martin Niemöller.