Germany never wins. After being hosed out of Dead Rising and Gears of War, Xbox 360 owners in Germany are likely to be "protected" out of yet another game with the German rating board refusing to rate Crackdown. Dutch games site
Xbox360Only.nl reported today that the USK's decision not to rate Microsoft's upcoming open world action game will make it tough for gamers in Germany to get their hands on it. Even Amazon.com has removed the game, which is due out in the rest of Europe on February 23rd, from its list of titles available for preorder in Germany.
Microsoft has been the Xbox 360 publisher most affected by Germany's jackbooted ratings board. Missing out on Gears of War is likely a bigger tragedy than a Crackdown ban - and I almost wish some government agency had protected me from PDZ - but it should be the consumer's choice whether or not to blow their cash on a game. There are people in every country who would love to do what the German ratings board is doing. In fact, there are shadowy forces who would like to protect you from this very discussion - or from your own ideas.
My internet just sputterd and there is a black helicopter floating outside my window. gotta run.
