Dead Rising Not Banned in Germany

Not yet, at least.

We reported a week ago that Dead Rising was being banned in Germany by USK (the country’s version of ESRB) because of the game’s violent nature. However, we received word that this is not entirely true – USK is NOT banning it; it’s just not giving the game an age rating.

Which, in Germany, may almost translate to banning.

The USK has decided not to give Dead Rising an age rating at all because it might end up getting banned anyway in the future. Getting confused? Well, here’s why it’s not banned but MAY BE banned:

• No age rating from USK means that the game can still be openly advertised but can’t be sold to minors and can’t be sold via mail order.
• If this receives no age rating, Microsoft will not allow it to be published on the Xbox 360 as it avoids publishing unrated games, which in effect would mean it will not be officially allowed for the Xbox 360.

There are ways though for Capcom‘s Dead Rising to be legally published, sold and given a rating in Germany – but all that would entail legal steps which would take a lot of time. (Hopefully, this won’t ruin the September release of the game.)

Not yet, at least.

We reported a week ago that Dead Rising was being banned in Germany by USK (the country’s version of ESRB) because of the game’s violent nature. However, we received word that this is not entirely true – USK is NOT banning it; it’s just not giving the game an age rating.

Which, in Germany, may almost translate to banning.

The USK has decided not to give Dead Rising an age rating at all because it might end up getting banned anyway in the future. Getting confused? Well, here’s why it’s not banned but MAY BE banned:

• No age rating from USK means that the game can still be openly advertised but can’t be sold to minors and can’t be sold via mail order.
• If this receives no age rating, Microsoft will not allow it to be published on the Xbox 360 as it avoids publishing unrated games, which in effect would mean it will not be officially allowed for the Xbox 360.

There are ways though for Capcom‘s Dead Rising to be legally published, sold and given a rating in Germany – but all that would entail legal steps which would take a lot of time. (Hopefully, this won’t ruin the September release of the game.)