! SOLVED ! - OPEN LETTER TO BETHESDA: LV VERSION CH/AT/DE

[F1GHT3R™]

!!! EDIT JUNE 2014 !!!

Finally Bethesda decided to make Wolfenstein The New Order Uncut/Multi-language aviable for Customers from Switzerland!

The Steam Store still leads to the German Version but if youre in the swiss Steam Store you see the following Notice:

Notice: In Switzerland customers will automatically receive in their Steam library the regular version of Wolfenstein®: The New Order as well as the German-language version without any Nazi-related symbols and content. The regular version includes Italian, French and English text and audio.

So actually we get both Versions for no extracharge. Well even if this whole Version mess shouldnt have happenend in the first anyway, i must say im very relieved and found back some faith for bethesda.

At this point i must be fair and say THANK YOU Bethesda for listen to your customers.

Also a big Thanks to everybody that supported my open Letter and our cause generally.

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Original open Letter from Q1 2014:

To: Bethesda Softworks (Publisher)

This is a Demand to make the English Original Uncut Version aviable trough Steam for Users from Switzerland and Austria.

Germany has its own Game Rating System called USK and has National Laws to forbid Swastika Symbols and other Content of your Videogame*
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*EDIT
A German fellow Gamer advised me that they are allowed to own the Uncut Version:

Originally posted by Wolferatus:

German law is a bit different then publisher or valve think, its not alowed to sell the uncut in germany but we have the rights to import the game as uncut edition! thats a bit different, so remove at least the option, that peoples from germany can play the games bought legal in UK as retails! (SteamDB Tag: prohibitrunincountries: DE AT CH) - for Uncut Edition!

Cause of that i highly suggest you remove the Region Lock, cause its from the view of Law not necessary.
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However Switzerland and Austria dont share the same Laws as Germany!

Both countries neither use USK or have National Laws that could prevent your Game from Release in its original Version. Both Countries use the Rating System P.E.G.I. which stands for Pan European Game Information and applies to almost every European Nation. PEGI doesnt force Developers to cut their Games, they only rate them and thats it.

In an official Statement on the German Bethesda forums you did promise that the censorship only would apply to Symbols and Terms like "Nazi".
The "explict display" (violence) would leaved untouched.
But on the Store Page is clearly written LOW VIOLENCE VERSION*
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*EDIT: They changed the discription to the following:

Notice: To take account for local laws, certain symbols, and content that may be construed to violate § 86a of the German Criminal Code, have been replaced by no less atmospheric alternatives.

But honestly i still dont believe that the Violence is uncensored. Cause the German USK not only bans Swastika symbols, they are also infamous for ban/force to censor almost every Game that features Dismemberment/Headshots. In some cases they even forbid blood effects. And since theres only one German Version i highly expect this to be censored aswell. (However this is speculation and i will update this as soon its confirmed in any way**)

**EDIT JUNE 2014
Finally the Cut Report from the German Schnittberichte.com site has arrived. As expected all Symbols are removed without any exceptions. The Violence seems indeed to be untouched, except one scene that includes an Regime Oven for Human Corpses. In the German Version theres no Bodies and Flames inside.
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Its a Punch in the Face for every adult Gamer living in one of the affected Countries. In Fact instead of getting the same Copy as all others from Europe we get a censored Version just cause we share the same Language as Germany? Thats like i would try to force the Americans to drive on the Left side of the Road just cause they speak English.
This is ridiculous!

Im NOT even asking for a German Uncut Version, I am demanding for the Original ENGLISH Version, so no additional work on the game is required. Only the deactivation of Region Lock for Switzerland and Austria. Thats very little effort for much MORE SALES, cause no one will buy a censored edition that wont get any updates or dlc.

I really hope i can change your mind cause if youre honest, its in your own interest.

PS:
Please just dont do the same Mistake on DOOM!

To: Community

English:
Feel free to share your opinion in this Thread, it would be best if you write in english so the Developers and Publishers can read it too.

To my Neighbors from Germany: Stay strong, somewhen you get P.E.G.I too.

German:
Fühlt euch frei in diesem Thread eure Meinung zu äussern, am besten auf Englisch, so dass die Entwickler es auch lesen können.

An meine Deutschen Nachbaren: Bleibt stark, eines Tages habt ihr auch P.E.G.I.

Wolfenstein Low Violence Version Steam Thread:
http://steamcommunity.com/app/288570/discussions/0/540739319562002372/?tscn=1397721373

[JohnnyDread]

I fully agree! Would this be the first game that's censored on Steam in Switzerland? I can't remember any other games that I had problems with.

The other thing that bugs me is that from the store page it sounds like it is German only (Text and Cutscenes). Both things together is just horrible.

As long as there is no uncut / English version on Steam I won't buy it.

[F1GHT3R™]

Originally posted by HellCat:

I fully agree! Would this be the first game that's censored on Steam in Switzerland? I can't remember any other games that I had problems with.

Im from Switzerland too, and one of the reasons i choosed steam was the access to 100% uncut and english games rated by P.E.G.I, exactly how it should be according our National Laws. Our local stores are still full of german USK versions. And yes youre right this is the first Case that a censorship affects Switzerland and Austria the same way as Germany. Altough i remember some problems a couple of years ago with TF2 and Killing Floor, but thats fixed and we got uncut versions since a while. I really hope that this "General Censorship" wont happen again in the future or i got to correct my opinion about steam.

[Dirt Diver]

Originally posted by HellCat:

I really hope that this "General Censorship" wont happen again in the future or i got to correct my opinion about steam.

It´s not steams fault, it´s Bethesda´s. I bought a Return to Castle Wolfenstein on Steam and it´s complete uncut. Why not The New Order?

I´m not buying it if I can't activate and play the uncut version!

[Not Quite Dead]

I fully agree with you, guys. As Switzerland and Austria are under the PEGI standards, it makes no sense to cut this game for gamers from these countries.

[PH4RI]

Austrian here. I also fully agree with that open letter. it should at least be possible to unlock an imported game without having to deal with US-IP issues etc. And why the **** is it only in german. i´ve never played anything in german. in this case censorship has gone way too far.

[Probotector®]

Austrian here.

I was considering to purchase this game because Bethesda PROMISED that the German version would not get censored in terms of violence. I simply won't support a publisher that outright lied to me. One thing that strikes me as odd is Bethesdas' claim that only one master was created in order to save costs. I'm sorry but this is something I would expect from smaller publishers who lack sufficent funding whereas Bethesda, one of the biggest publishers around don't really fit to their description.

I always pay for my games but I'd make an exception for Wolfenstein: The New Order and pirate it. I fully support this open letter and demand to release the "normal violence" version in Germany and to supply Austrian and Swiss gamers with PEGI-rated versions.

Regards
A (former) customer of Bethesda

[Rabcor]

Originally posted by DinHerio:

I live in Switzerland.

Bethesda is acting really stupid.
Going to pirate this game.

I advise you not to speak outloud of pirating things, it will easily get you banned on forums all over the net (including this one) but otherwise, I agree with you 100%.

[LEANIJA]

This serves as an extension to the open letter.
I'm not sure anyone from Bethesda will even read this. I sincerely hope so, however, and if you do, please consider forwarding it to your legal department or executive staff.

I understand the censorship of Wolfenstein: The New Order (will be abbreviated as WTNO for the remainder of this text) consists of the removal of swastikas and other symbols of the Nazi regime, as well as names, erasing connections to Nazi Germany completely. The disclaimer on the store page for the censored version states that those symbols will be replaced by "no less atmospheric alternatives". Additionally, it will only feature German language (text and voice). This version will be sold exclusively in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Why is this being done? According to Bethesda, to comply with German and "similar" laws that ban the public display of symbols of the NSDAP (commonly known as "the Nazi Party"). These laws were put in place after 1945 in Germany as well as Austria to prevent spreading of Nazi propaganda and to have a tool again Neo-Nazis. However, it is to be noted, that, among other things like museums, art is explicitly listed as an exception to the rule. This also applies to both Austrian and German legislature.
Now, Germany has ruled video games to not be considered as art, on the basis of Wolfenstein 3D in 1994. Despite this being only a county judge ruling, it is still law. However, this does not automatically ban the uncensored version of WTNO or similar games. It would most likely not be rated by the German video game rating board USK and therefore be subject to likely being placed on the German Index of media that is considered harmful to young people (commonly called just "the Index"). This would still not be a ban. Being on the Index will prohibit public advertising and selling to people under 18 years.
However, due to the court ruling, if unchallenged, the game could receive a sales ban. It would still be legal to import, own, and of course play the game. Germany does not call for censorship and does not outright ban games, it merely has stricter rules to "protect young people" (whether those are justified is up for debate).

None of this, however, affects Austria or Switzerland. The mentioned German judge ruling has no equivalent here nor there, for all we know, video games can be considered art. Video games never received any censorship in either country (unless when they got imported from Germany), and the PEGI system is being used. On top of that, the Austrian anti-Nazi law also include exempts for material that is clearly opposing the Nazi regime, which, we can safely assume, also applies to WTNO. I do not know enough of Swiss law, but reading comments by Swiss users, publishers generally need to fear no censorship or bans there whatsoever.

So why are Austria and Switzerland included in the distribution area of the German censored version? Because we share a language, because Bethesda is afraid the law here could apply to them? Or simply because only one regional master for German-speaking areas was made?
If that is the case, consider the fact that not everyone in Germany/Austria/Switzerland speaks German as a mother tongue (Swiss people speak French, Italian and Romansh in addition to German, Germany has Danish-speaking minorities as well as American soldiers being stationed there, Austria has Slovene and Croat minorities), as well as the fact some people prefer their video games to be in the original language.
However, consider that distributing the uncensored multi-language version would be very easy via Steam, requiring very little effort. There is no need to produce two German version, just enable Austrian and Swiss people to buy the uncensored, original version. No law requires you to not do that or, even worse, to region-lock the whole product, which is what is seemingly happening. No cross-region trading, no gifting, no activation, no starting is allowed. Or at least so it seems: official information is hard to acquire.

I urge you to consider removing these restrictions and to allow the sale of the uncensored version in Austria and Switzerland. I would also urge video game publishers in general to seek revision of German law to place video games rightfully in the category of art, where they belong. I can understand however, if that is too much effort for the handful of Nazi-themed games that get released.

TLDR: No Austrian and Swiss law would require to censor your game or have region locks in place, and German law does not prohibit import or ownership of games featuring swastikas. In all countries, under any circumstance, it is absolutely legal to own and play a game like WTNO.

PS: To my fellow players: if you live in Switzerland or Austria, please do not pirate this game. Just refuse to buy it, so that Bethesda may see that they made a mistake. We may have a small market, but it might have an impact. Let's hope so.
And to players from outside G/A/S, please consider supporting us. Imagine how it would be to receive censored versions of games due to video game publishers not being informed well enough of your contries laws. This already affects - if you are American - your fellow servicemen stationed in German US Army bases, they will not be able to play WTNO in English at all.

[F1GHT3R™]

Originally posted by nordschatten:

This serves as an extension to the open letter.

It totally does :)
Thanks for your support!
Im very curious if they ever will respond to this letter, i definitly hope so.

[Meddy83]

"Piracy is a service problem" according to Gabe Newell.
Bethesda it's your turn to change that!
German laws are not applicable on Austria or Switzerland.
You are only profit-oriented. You must be customer-oriented.

[C0BR4.cH]

Switzerland here.

I 100% agree.
Wrote to steam support. The answer wash bit wishy-washy:
"Thank you for contacting Steam Support.
The store page is correct for your region.
The information on the Steam Storefront is the only available information at this time.
Please refer to the Steam News section for the latest news and updates on upcoming Steam titles and content.

Steam News
http://store.steampowered.com/news/

Thank you for your interest."

I will now try to write to bethesda.
One way or the other, I WILL get this game in uncut version : )

[F1GHT3R™]

Originally posted by C0BR4.cH:

Wrote to steam support. The answer wash bit wishy-washy

Absolutely, the part with "The store page is correct for your region" almost made me laugh, that shows that steam doesnt have a clue whats going on.

Originally posted by C0BR4.cH:

I will now try to write to bethesda.

Thats great! Im very curious if they just write another copy-paste statement or actually tell us something useful. If you like you can add a link to this open Letter in your message, would be fun to see their reaction. Do you mind to post a comment here, as soon you get some answer? I bet many people (including me) would like to read what they said.
Thank you for your Effort :)

[LEANIJA]

I wrote Bethesda a while ago, they just sent me an automated response and later a survey if I was happy with their service...

[leperkhaan]

Maybe I don't know all that is censored from the game but isn't the german version only going to have a different flag and they don't call them Nazi? You aren't going to shoot at a guy and he'll bring you flowers and say thank you... although I would play that game... time to go make a video game :) Wish me luck!

[bubbacho]

Do Austrians and Swiss buy and download games from the same Steam region as Germany? If not then I don't see why they can't allow a Swiss or Austrian IP address to unlock and install the uncut version of the game.