Anyone else irked about the censorship?

[WaxPython]

just got on the game for a round as Germany and I see all the portraits of the infamous political figureheads have been censored after the update.

Really irked by this personally as it just breaks immersion when all you see is a black shadow. Anyway to go back to a previous version of the game?

 

[Ancalimé]

just got on the game for a round as Germany and I see all the portraits of the infamous political figureheads have been censored after the update.

Really irked by this personally as it just breaks immersion when all you see is a black shadow. Anyway to go back to a previous version of the game?

Are you located in Germany or have bought the game in Germany by any chance? They have to censor all that by law in Germany. They can't sell it there otherwise.

If you were using one of the mods that remove the censorship, it is possible they became incompatible with the game and you start seeing the vanilla portraits again.

 

[Street_Marshal]

just got on the game for a round as Germany and I see all the portraits of the infamous political figureheads have been censored after the update.

Really irked by this personally as it just breaks immersion when all you see is a black shadow. Anyway to go back to a previous version of the game?

The dlc to enable their portraits likely got disabled for you, assuming you do not live in Germany.

 

[cabu]

Are you located in Germany or have bought the game in Germany by any chance? They have to censor all that by law in Germany. They can't sell it there otherwise.

If you were using one of the mods that remove the censorship, it is possible they became incompatible with the game and you start seeing the vanilla portraits again.

Well i have to respectfully disagree. German law states:

Spoiler: German Criminal Code §86

Section 86
Dissemination of propaganda material of unconstitutional organisations

(1) Whosoever within Germany disseminates or produces, stocks, imports or exports or makes publicly accessible through data storage media for dissemination within Germany or abroad, propaganda material

1. of a political party which has been declared unconstitutional by the Federal Constitutional Court or a political party or organisation which has been held by final decision to be a surrogate organisation of such a party;

2. of an organisation which has been banned by final decision because it is directed against the constitutional order or against the idea of the comity of nations or which has been held by final decision to be a surrogate organisation of such a banned organisation;

3. of a government, organisation or institution outside the Federal Republic of Germany active in pursuing the objectives of one of the parties or organisations indicated in Nos 1 and 2 above; or

4. propaganda materials the contents of which are intended to further the aims of a former National Socialist organisation, shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding three years or a fine.

(2) Propaganda materials within the meaning of subsection (1) above shall only be written materials (section 11(3)) the content of which is directed against the free, democratic constitutional order or the idea of the comity of nations.

(3) Subsection (1) above shall not apply if the propaganda materials or the act is meant to serve civil education, to avert unconstitutional movements, to promote art or science, research or teaching, the reporting about current or historical events or similar purposes.

(4) If the guilt is of a minor nature, the court may order a discharge under this provision.

the important one is (3) because it bears the age old question if video games are art in the eye of the law.
unfortunately there was a minor case in the 80´s or something like that which said no, but video games have changed a lot since then and overall it is kind of agreed that video games are a form of art (because if they aren´t how can films be?). But since nobody tried making it a major case so nothing changed.

Overall for German copies the uncensored stuff is not available because Paradox made the Business choice to not publish the game with Symbols and Pictures of Nazis which would result in them getting sued and taking it up to the federal constitutional court.
That would mean a long time of paying lawyers well versed in german law and not publishing HoI IV until the case is closed.

Money wins that´s it, especially for small company´s like Paradox. This would be kind of stuff for Activision/Blizzard or ElectronicArts who got loads of money to spend on law&order.

 

[Khevenhuller]

Well i have to respectfully disagree. German law states:

Spoiler: German Criminal Code §86

Section 86
Dissemination of propaganda material of unconstitutional organisations

(1) Whosoever within Germany disseminates or produces, stocks, imports or exports or makes publicly accessible through data storage media for dissemination within Germany or abroad, propaganda material

1. of a political party which has been declared unconstitutional by the Federal Constitutional Court or a political party or organisation which has been held by final decision to be a surrogate organisation of such a party;

2. of an organisation which has been banned by final decision because it is directed against the constitutional order or against the idea of the comity of nations or which has been held by final decision to be a surrogate organisation of such a banned organisation;

3. of a government, organisation or institution outside the Federal Republic of Germany active in pursuing the objectives of one of the parties or organisations indicated in Nos 1 and 2 above; or

4. propaganda materials the contents of which are intended to further the aims of a former National Socialist organisation, shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding three years or a fine.

(2) Propaganda materials within the meaning of subsection (1) above shall only be written materials (section 11(3)) the content of which is directed against the free, democratic constitutional order or the idea of the comity of nations.

(3) Subsection (1) above shall not apply if the propaganda materials or the act is meant to serve civil education, to avert unconstitutional movements, to promote art or science, research or teaching, the reporting about current or historical events or similar purposes.

(4) If the guilt is of a minor nature, the court may order a discharge under this provision.

the important one is (3) because it bears the age old question if video games are art in the eye of the law.
unfortunately there was a minor case in the 80´s or something like that which said no, but video games have changed a lot since then and overall it is kind of agreed that video games are a form of art (because if they aren´t how can films be?). But since nobody tried making it a major case so nothing changed.

Overall for German copies the uncensored stuff is not available because Paradox made the Business choice to not publish the game with Symbols and Pictures of Nazis which would result in them getting sued and taking it up to the federal constitutional court.
That would mean a long time of paying lawyers well versed in german law and not publishing HoI IV until the case is closed.

Money wins that´s it, especially for small company´s like Paradox. This would be kind of stuff for Activision/Blizzard or ElectronicArts who got loads of money to spend on law&order.

I would like this game to come under both art and education ideally. But, as it's just being labelled 'entertainment' i am not sure there is an escape.

K

 

[thexmassteam]

Hmmm, may I suggest a read of this thread : https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/foru...i-iv-forum-rules-read-before-you-post.875352/ ?

 

[Ancalimé]

Money wins that´s it, especially for small company´s like Paradox. This would be kind of stuff for Activision/Blizzard or ElectronicArts who got loads of money to spend on law&order.

No company would risk their name getting involved in a legal fight concerning Nazi paraphernalia, no matter how much money they have.

Also Paradox is not a small company. They haven't been a small company for quite some time. It is important that you (and others) realise this so that you expect more from the company and not sweep their fuck-ups under the "they're a small company" rug.

 

[Louella]

on my game, I can see the portraits of the German leaders.

so i'm not sure why you can't see them. Unless you unchecked "historical german portraits" or something by mistake.

 

[cabu]

Also Paradox is not a small company. They haven't been a small company for quite some time. It is important that you (and others) realise this so that you expect more from the company and not sweep their fuck-ups under the "they're a small company" rug.

Again I have to respectfully disagree.

Money wise Paradox made round about 68 million $ in 2015 (give or take one).
If I compare it to the "big" 5 company´s in the business the smallest one would be ubisoft or square enix with round about 1.250 million $ (give or take a few). the top dogs go up till 4.500 or more.
And if one takes a look at employees its up in the thousands for the "big 5" while paradox is somewhere at 200 (give or take a few).

If i compare these business stats I´d say Paradox is indeed a small company.

But and on that I agree with you, size does not matter (badum tsch).
the Quality should be high no matter the company.
And they could be better at some stuff, but (i somehow feel I have to take the morale high ground) everybody, everyone and everything can be better at something, can´t they?

 

[Ancalimé]

Again I have to respectfully disagree.

Money wise Paradox made round about 68 million $ in 2015 (give or take one).
If I compare it to the "big" 5 company´s in the business the smallest one would be ubisoft or square enix with round about 1.250 million $ (give or take a few). the top dogs go up till 4.500 or more.
And if one takes a look at employees its up in the thousands for the "big 5" while paradox is somewhere at 200 (give or take a few).

If i compare these business stats I´d say Paradox is indeed a small company.

But and on that I agree with you, size does not matter (badum tsch).
the Quality should be high no matter the company.
And they could be better at some stuff, but (i somehow feel I have to take the morale high ground) everybody, everyone and everything can be better at something, can´t they?

As of June 10 (yesterday), at market closing time, Paradox Interactive had a market cap of SEK7.603 billion. That's $872 million.

They're big enough.

 

[thexmassteam]

-3.67% Haaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!
This link look like Vicky 2 economy screen

 

[Secret Master]

Someone didn't read the forum rules.

We aren't discussing German laws regarding Nazi symbols here. Thread closed.