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View Full Version : No Gears 2 For Japan & Germany

DoctorFinger
10-22-2008, 10:14 AM
Bad news for those Xbox 360 owners in Japan and Germany. Microsoft has confirmed that Gears of War 2 will not see release in either of those two countries.

The reason? Pretty much exactly what you'd expect: neither country is terribly fond of the old Ultra Violence, which a field that Gears 2 seems to be pursuing a PhD in. Germany flat out refused to give the game a rating (which is something that happens to a lot of games there), and Microsoft simply decided not to tempt fate in Japan, where the original Gears earned the equivalent of an AO rating for violence.

Even the addition of an in-game content filter (http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/8/11/) wasn't enough to earn the title a favorable rating in either nation.

Source - 1UP (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3170833).
DoctorFinger
10-22-2008, 10:15 AM
Italian gamers, look out. You're the last major member of the Axis to allow Gears 2 [/inappropriate]
Telefrog
10-22-2008, 10:18 AM
Sucks for Germany, but how much did Gears sell in Japan?
Xerxes
10-22-2008, 10:19 AM
They should have replaced gore and blood with marshmallows and rainbows. Instead a chainsaw gun, maybe a pillow water pistol. Instead of sending people to hell they can be sent to dream land.
DoctorFinger
10-22-2008, 10:27 AM
They should have replaced gore and blood with marshmallows and rainbows. Instead a chainsaw gun, maybe a pillow water pistol. Instead of sending people to hell they can be sent to dream land.Have you seen the X-Force #1 variant yet?
http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=232
Xerxes
10-22-2008, 10:29 AM
Have you seen the X-Force #1 variant yet?
http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=232

I was thinking that. Tell the truth if there was a GoW 2 version like that, I'd probably import it as well just for the fun of it.
agentgray
10-22-2008, 10:36 AM
I always wonder if Germany and Japan's censorship of violence is a result of thier "occupations" after WWII. It's like their society went in the opposite direction.

Japan's issue in the case is funny. Some anime and manga I've seen...uh.

I don't think the same is said for sex, however.
Loki_09
10-22-2008, 10:37 AM
I'm sure most of you have seen it, but it had to be done:

http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2008/20080811.jpg
Johan
10-22-2008, 10:37 AM
It must be truly, truly frustrating as a developer/publisher to have to deal with the many and varied roadblocks to getting your game out there. It would be so nice if they could just make a game, and people could just decide based on its content whether they want it or not.

Is that too much to ask, to let people make up their own minds and buy a product or not? It's just so ridiculous.
Loki_09
10-22-2008, 10:40 AM
It must be truly, truly frustrating as a developer/publisher to have to deal with the many and varied roadblocks to getting your game out there. It would be so nice if they could just make a game, and people could just decide based on its content whether they want it or not.

Is that too much to ask? It's just so ridiculous.

Yes, thats too much to ask. People obviously dont know how to make their own decisions. Thats why we elect government officials, to make them for us.

Without getting too much into the politics, I'll jsut agree with you and say its complete bullsh*t.
Xerxes
10-22-2008, 10:42 AM
I'm sure most of you have seen it, but it had to be done:

http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2008/20080811.jpg

I've seen so many penny arcades I forgot that one.
Schnoogs
10-22-2008, 10:48 AM
Good to see after trying to take over the world both of those countries turned into a bunch of pussies.
Doctor Setebos
10-22-2008, 10:49 AM
The reason? Pretty much exactly what you'd expect: neither country is terribly fond of the old Ultra Violence, which a field that Gears 2 seems to be pursuing a PhD in.Japan doesn't like "ultra violence"?

Japan?!

Really??? :confused:
Xerxes
10-22-2008, 10:53 AM
Japan doesn't like "ultra violence"?

Japan?!

Really??? :confused:

The real problem, is not enough large robots.
Wraith
10-22-2008, 10:56 AM
Speaking of ultraviolence and Japan, I wonder if the Hellsing manga has any kind of warning label over there...
Doctor Setebos
10-22-2008, 10:58 AM
The real problem, is not enough large robots.I think you hit on something there.

Instead of a content filter, all Microsoft needs to do is just change the story so that it seems like the Locust are cyborgs. Instant best-seller in Japan!
Schnoogs
10-22-2008, 11:01 AM
I think the real problem is that Gears is filled with men that are actually manly and look like men...not transexual looking teenagers that look like the wet dream of a pedophile.
Loki_09
10-22-2008, 11:02 AM
I think you hit on something there.

Instead of a content filter, all Microsoft needs to do is just change the story so that it seems like the Locust are cyborgs. Instant best-seller in Japan!

Eh, Marcus is not nearly effeminate enough.
fitbabits
10-22-2008, 11:11 AM
What the motherfuck?

Devil May Cry
Dead Rising
Resident Evil 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Killer 7
Ninja Gaiden
God Hand
Fatal Frame
Silent Hill

et-fucking-cetera!
ClannerDelta
10-22-2008, 11:16 AM
This thread delivers. Germany is strict on everything, so I don't care.

But we are also talking about that island that came up with tentacle rape porn. Yeah, what?
Xerxes
10-22-2008, 11:23 AM
What the motherfuck?

Devil May Cry
Dead Rising
Resident Evil 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Killer 7
Ninja Gaiden
God Hand
Fatal Frame
Silent Hill

et-fucking-cetera!

I think Schnoogs nailed it. The heroes look like men.
Telefrog
10-22-2008, 11:24 AM
This thread delivers. Germany is strict on everything, so I don't care.

But we are also talking about that island that came up with tentacle rape porn. Yeah, what?

Oh, I think we all know the real reason Japan isn't going to get a localized version. It has nothing to do with the rating and more to do with the horrendous sales of the first title there.
rvieira
10-22-2008, 12:06 PM
Change Marcus for a girl, with massive boobs, small skirt, white panties, an underage look and lots of unlockble cloths(the last one a Bikini)... and you have a Japanese classic!
n00bian
10-23-2008, 06:50 AM
hope austria still gets its shipment
SilentScreams
10-23-2008, 07:00 AM
hope austria still gets its shipment

So do I. I don't live there, but it sucks how many great games you guys get screwed out of.

We've been lucky in the UK so far. I don't remember a game I cared about being banned. I think Manhunt 2 was, but I also seem to remember that it got the same treatment everywhere until it was toned down. Then again, I didn't care about Manhunt 2 and still don't.
n00bian
10-23-2008, 07:10 AM
most of the time austria doesnt get screwed - but if there is no version for germany most of the time ther will also be no german localized version (most of the time better anyway ;) )

and i really cant think of a game that was not available in austria cause it was not available in germany

but what it means that amazon.at doesnt stock it cause its basicly amazon.de with an other domain