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1.Create a separate build without nazy symbols.
2.Get an age rating from USK.(this is not options since they will not review a mod obviously)
I can create separate build, but I doubt it is legal to release a mod in Germany for a game that is locked in Germany.
In other words, someone need to write a fan letter to Zenimax/Bethesda/Microsoft and ask them to do something about rtcw restrictions in Germany.
Thank you for the answer!
I really hope Bethesda/MS is finally going to request reevaluation soon like they did with classic DOOM and Quake games ( and the modern Wolfenstein games )
This game is just too much of a gem.
doom and quake are different and the reasons why they were on the index as well. not at all related to forbidden symbolism. so i wouldn´t really expect them to ask for removal. games will be taken off the index after a certain time afaik. that might be different for nazi related games though.
Sorry, but this is big BS -- especially what the Steam support told you.
1. The USK ony rates retail and commercial games. But a rating by the USK isn't neccessary for a German release anyway.
2. RtCW isn't banned in Germany. It's indexed (Adults only) and can be purchased, owned and played by everyone 18+. It's just not allowed to sell it to minors and do advertising in public.
3. Nazi symbols in art (and videogames are acceptet by German law as art) are allowed. That's why you can buy Wolfenstein New Order, Old Blood, Youngblood and New Colossus uncut with symbols in the German store.
4. Why souldn't it be allowed to release a mod for a game that is locked in Germany? RtCW might be indexed in Germany. RealRtCW is not. It's that easy.
5. Here in Germany we know that Valve and a lot of publishers a quite incompetent when it comes to German law (even it's not that complicated).
Conclusion: There are no legal reasons why RealRTCW sould be region-locked in the German store. No matter what a support dude told you. A long history showed us that they don't know what the hell they're talking about when it comes to German law.
The only thing you propably shound't do is having symbols on the store page (screenshots).
....a region-locked, free mod. I can't freaking believe it. :D
the indexed version is the cut (no nazi symbols) version. the version with nazi symbols is forbidden to be sold in germany without exception. so since the mod can be used with both versions afaik, the more strikt rule seems to be in effect. in that case valve is just preventing what is forbidden in germany already. they could show the cut version though and finally change their damn age verification after 16+ years... yes, you are right, all germans basically think the same about that, well the adults at least.
if you own it outside steam already though, you can still use it afaik.
after 20 or 25 years (not sure exactly) a company can ask for removal from the index to make a game publically available again. like DOOM for example, which was on the Index for decades until a few years ago. games from back then are not considered realistic anymore when it comes to the graphics for example. so i am not sure how the rules might change, the more photorealistic games become.
but in general, the USK could use an update maybe. some decisions are quite stupid.
The legal situation has not changed, only the ruling practice.
Anyway, it doesn'T really matter in this case because RealRTCW isn't RTCW and was released only weeks ago.
Again.... we're talking about RealRTCW here, not RTCW.
Also you should get the facts right. RTCW isn't and was never banned in Germany. Wolfenstein 3D was, Wolfenstein 2009 was.... but RtCW is only indexed (Adults Only).
Wrong. After 25 years a games is automatically removed from the index. So RTCW will also propapbly be removed automatically in 2027. To be more detailled about the legal situation would go beyond the scope here and has been repeated and explained often enough in the last couple of decades-- but I know exactly how it is. It's my job for more than 20 years now to know the legal situation. It keeps nonsense that RealRTCW has to be region-locked here. That you don't have a product page and buy option for RTCW on the other hand is absolutly right and indeed necessary for the compliance with the legal situation. But - again - that's not the point here.
"Ungeachtet der Indizierung ist § 86a StGB („Verwenden von Kennzeichen verfassungswidriger Organisationen“) zu beachten, da in der englischen Version des Spiels „Kennzeichen“ im Sinne des § 86a StGB Abs. 2 (z. B. Hakenkreuze und andere NS-Symbolik) enthalten sind. Dadurch ist der gewerbsmäßige Handel jener Version unter Umständen verboten."
the original is definitely not allowed to be promoted, only the cut version. i didn´t make the rules... ;) i also never said it was banned. banned would mean even the posession is would not be allowed (correct?). forbidden to promote is something totally different.
and yes, we talk about a mod, but for the above reasons (i guess) it is as region-locked as the base game...
several changes have been made in the last few years which all had to do with depiction of nazi symbols (even hitler´s mustache...) and their use in games (mainly). so it will be easier in the future to integrate that, under certain rules i guess (e.g. not positively promoting nazis and such).
either way, it would be great to be able to decide on my own what i want to buy and play. i think i might be old enough by now. not too long and i will be as long on steam as you need to be old to play adult games... ;)
It's also not allowed to "promote" the cut version because the cut version is also indexed. For both version currently the exact same restrictions apply. And that's why there's no product page for the one or the other in Germany.
Depends on the definition of the word within the context. Basically you're right -- if we would use the word in context with..... Australian law for example. But it isn't really beneficial to say to an russian guy in an english text "beschlagnahmt",...
But because there is in fact no "fully prohibited" media in Germany (except pornography with minors of course), it should be clear what someone means with a "ban" in the context with the German law, isn't it?
Again: There were no legal changes. Not a single paragraph was changed for even one letter. Only the practical application differs bwetween today and 30 years ago. If RTCW would have been banned before 7 years ago because of symbols, we would have a problem today, But it wasn't. So no problem today. Because other practical application today.
Let me try it with another question: Why should software A care about the legal status of software B?
RTCW is indexed. RealRTCW is not. And in view of the current, practical application of German laws, it would almost certainly not be indexed during an examination.
PS: Jetzt musste ich das Thema hier übrigens wieder so toterklären, dass der Hinweis zur missverstandenen Rechtslage an den Entwickler in einer Flut an Worten wieder untergegangen ist -- und sich entsprechend nichts ändern wird. Naja........
RealRTCW is not a stand alone game and uses content from the original game to even work at all.
Like theoretically if Valve unlocks RTCW in germany this mod would automatically available in germany as well?
You can't install Deus Ex: Revision as well if you don't own the original Deus Ex on Steam - because it is linked to the original game.
I don't know how exactly Steam works in this regard, but I guess mods take over the rules of the original game as well.
Would be a lot of work for you as well?
Ignoring the above issue:
Especially how many german people even own RTCW on Steam?
It is not sold in the german Steam store after all so probable only a few even got it I guess.
Austrians or other german speaking fans outside germany should have access to your mod as well - I guess.
As far as I know only the uncut version is avaialable on Steam.
Can you even add the mod if you do not have the Steam version of RTCW at all?
Considering Bethesda revived DOOM 64 as a promo for DOOM Eternal, maybe RTCW&/Wolf2009 will be brought back as well as a promo for Wolfenstein III?
Currently I am looking into other ways to get the mod activated on my account as well.
Its not that much of a work really. I think there should be censored version somewhere in the web. I could replace most of the current textures with assets from this version.
Wolf2009 revival and rtcw restrictions removal would be great.
I finally got the mod activated with some foreign help. We tried a few things actually:
1. The store page for your mod is still locked to your origin country
2. Therefore your mod is still not listed in the store, BUT:
3. You can activate it with the help of steamdb OR:
4. Typing this code into your browser: "steam://install/1379630"
5. That code obviously doesn't work in Germany itself...
6. Only the activation is region locked, that means:
7. If activated you can install and play the Mod anytime.
8. You CAN activate the mod even if you don't own RTCW on Steam?
Regarding point 8:
- If the mod is actually not dependent on the original game, does it really HAVE to be region locked according to current German law?
- You obviously don't offer the original game - only the mod - so does it really have to be region locked?
Just a thought on the side:
- It would actually be a general interesting option to bring remaster mods for other old games that were never released on Steam or removed games like Wolf 2009. You need an original copy obviously, but I guess it would involve legal issues...
- I guess not every publisher would want to have a fan remaster on Steam, I don't know.
I just find it kinda sad for abandoned games to disappear forever.
Okay, no matter what - I finally got RealRTCW myself and tested it and it is great.
But personally I don't like to see such great work like yours not getting the exposure it deserves. Not everyone can and want to go through extra loops like I did. Most people in Germany obviously don't know it even exists if it is never listed in the German store...
Whatever you decide - if you want to do the extra work for censored countries, Top!
Thank you for your work :) !!!
you need to use VPN client like a free trial of maybe ProtonVPN. Seems to be a good option right now. There are other ones as well.
AT YOUR OWN RISK of course
both options are not things Valve likes to see as far as I know...