Long-time GamePolitics readers remember this guy, Gunther Beckstein, German conservative Interior Minister. He's one of the most virulent adversaries of "killer games", that he compares to child pornography. He also called for a total ban, supported for numerous laws that would prohibit them, and even [URL=http://gamepolitics.com/2006/12/06/in-wake-of-rampage-german-minister-wants-jail-time-for-violent-game-creators-and-distributors/]wanted jail time for their creators, distributors and players.[/URL]

Well, I'm a bit surprised by what I've recently learnt about him.

[URL=http://www.heise.de/newsticker/Beckstein-fordert-Computerspiele-Branche-zur-Kooperation-beim-Jugendschutz-auf--/meldung/106125]According to Heise Online[/URL], he attended a video game congress called Munich gaming, and he asked game industry to cooperate with those who tried to protect children. He even pointed out the benefits of video games !

Here is Google translation of Heise Online article :

[QUOTE=Heise Online]
[B]Beckstein urges computer game industry to cooperate with the youth protection[/B]

Bavaria's Prime Minister Guenther Beckstein (CSU), the manufacturers of computer games to cooperate with the protection of young people is called. "Let us work together on a strand, as games have violence in our children's rooms do not want," said Beckstein loud message today at the opening of the congress "Munich gaming" electronic games in Munich. The industry had a big job and the future potential. It is, however, important that politics and games industry in the dialogue remained.

As a positive Beckstein pointed out that the young people play games dealing with information technology-mediated and combination passing, reaction speed and strategic thinking promoted. In addition, the digital gaming industry, to deal with critical issues. These included about the neglect of social contacts, motion poverty and addiction risks. As an example of successful cooperation of the prime minister called the "round table gaming industry," the economic ministry convened.

After two public days last weekend did on Monday and Tuesday professionals in the computer and video game industry, with representatives from business, politics and society in Munich. The organizers want to have indicated fears touch with the industry to reduce deficits and knowledge abroad.[/QUOTE]

I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, I'm quite glad that Beckstein notices and acknowledges the existence of "good" video games. I'm also glad that he sees game industry as partners, and not as child pornographers or drug dealers. On the other hand, I can't help but being skeptical about his sincerity.

I'm also skeptical about the recent initiative launched by German MPs' call for "video game awards" in order to reward "good, educational" video games", [URL=http://www.heise.de/newsticker/Bundestag-stimmt-fuer-Deutschen-Computerspielepreis-Update--/meldung/103893]according to a february article in Heise Online[/URL] (google translation again... sorry) :

[QUOTE=Heise Online]
[B]German Bundestag votes for computer games Price[/B]

With black and red majority, the Bundestag on Thursday an application (PDF file) of the coalition factions decided which states that the federal government time an award for "high-quality, and culturally and educationally valuable" ausloben computer games. Is it politicians from the major media coalition, it can still first time this year in cooperation with an independent jury a German computer games price in line with the German Film Award. The prize money should be subject to the proviso to the developers are issued for the production of additional high-quality games. The Left and the Greens voted against the project, the FDP abstained.

The federal government will, according to Monika Griefahn, spokeswoman for the Working Group for Culture and Media Group, the SPD, 2008 already 300,000 euros for the red carpet for computer games tribute issue. Joerg Tauss, media spokesperson for the comrades, but regretted that the economy so far not met its commitment, which share the same. If payment has not been done, "the initiative will fail," announced Tauss. This was with a "great loss Image". He saw not one, "that the federal government alone, the price paid for computer games."

Tauss unanimous with Philipp Mißfelder designated by the CDU the planned "Oscars" for German computer games as a signal that the genus is a "artistic and cultural heritage" handle. He also regretted that the debate by referring to "killer games" or "gewaltbeherrschte games" often under false sign, ". This he described as "an expression of the despair that many parents do not understand their children." There is no scientific evidence of a link between the gewalthaltiger playing computer games and increased aggressiveness in everyday life. "The criminalization of a whole generation, the computer plays is wrong." Bans would also nothing in the industry, since there are no boundaries in the digital world there.

The media spokesperson for the Greens, Grietje Bettin, it was also "great" that the policy even "positive deals with the issue". The coalition's request was generally welcomed, but the industry needs "not yet fully recognized". So would some computer games too much with the medium of film and compared only the big manufacturers. "That's why we want to create a seal similar to the 'Game of the Year', for which all apply," Bettin touched the drum for an application (PDF file) of the opposition party. [Update: This took place during the vote according to the decision of the Culture Committee recommendation, but not a majority. Especially small and independent game developers wanted the Greens to promote and archiving rules for the media still relatively young genre.]

"From fun at the Freud nobody can buy something," Lothar Bisky criticized by the Left against the thrust of computer games price. His group did in a separate application (PDF file) for the introduction of a "fair work" label for the sector, in order to improve working conditions of these policies. Only developer companies, such a certificate should be for a government support and a consideration for the computer games price in question. This could push the majority of the MPs but not warm. Of Culture Minister Bernd Neumann creates the parliamentary decision "an important prerequisite for the interactive entertainment media to a higher quality job to get." He underline the political consensus on, "that computer games become a major social factor, and therefore tries to be on their quality with a view to the effect on adolescents influence." The CDU politician 2007 the Bundestag had a report about computer and online games is submitted to and including the prize. The plan was also the establishment of a "foundation for interactive entertainment media", which is intensively with the opportunities and risks of electronic games should be addressed. (Stefan Krempl)[/QUOTE]

PS : can any moderator change the title of this thread by renaming it "Gunther Beckstein (and other German politicians)" ? Thanks in advance.