@KotakuFreund:

Perhaps make another European account? Instead of an US or JP account make it a UK or Dutch or ? account. Points work in the region of purchase, so the entire Europe. Just google for a local address and it'll work.

DLC checks what's on the hdd, not like arcade games that check the gamertag and the console serial and if one doesn't match it won't work.

JakeDunn

i knew this was coming -.-

thank god that gears 2 is not the only game i want to see in leipzig...

i damn you microsoft!

Deenight

120k of course.

"KE"

Maybe they won't sell it IN Germany but definitely TO Germany as import versions will boost the sales in Austria and UK as usual...

But it's better this way, otherwise all the smartass TV-stations would make a big fuzz about the game and probably go out and tell the viewers Gears of War is a chainsaw-killing-simulator for children.

Starsky

Same old story.

This game will never get the USK Seal (German Seal of Approval), so Microsoft will not officially sell it here.
Ergo: No need for showing.

But you can still buy it in the adjacent countries. Like over 120 did with the first part.

"KE"

@KotakuFreund: Hooray for Austria!

Scherzkeks

Did GoW1 get banned in Germany as well? Just curious if they did.

On the flipside, how many Germans are going to buy an import copy from say, Austria, or someplace? I know I heard a while back that imports from other European countries for games that got banned in Germany happened quite a bit.

Salen

@CrimsonAngel: It's not so much an idea, it's just been imposed upon them... It's like dangling a toy in front of a kid and going "You want it? You want it? Tough, s'mine" and running off back home with it.

winstano

This is a Dumb Idea.

Microsoft is trying to win the EU and they are showing up at the biggest European gaming con with out a full deck.

CrimsonAngel

SEGA seems to be showing MadWorld according to the E3 trailer - how about that Microsoft/Epic?

El-Suave

But there is sparks instead of blood and they can take out profanity! See, Gears of War can be kid friendly.

taikerr

To bad for the Germans, they will import the Game from austria but they will not be able to Download extra Content...

KotakuFreund

Well,that was a simple one.

syafiqjabar

They could go: "Hey, obvious importers! Look at this!"

Ashurahori

For once, it feels good to be Australian.

TrjnRabbit

@KEELr: Microsoft doesn't even have a press conference at GC so it's a safe bet that there won't be any major announcements or reveals from them.
They're still better then Nintendo who won't be there at all this year.
Somehow I still think this years GC has the potential to be better than the last few ones just because E3 was a bit meh.

El-Suave

@ Wickerman: You´re an ASSHOLE. It´s crazy that there are still people like you which write this kind of shit.

M.C.-Action

Yeah right, because only Germans pay attention to GC....

Here's my idea,
Microsoft didnt want Bungie to steal hype away from Gears 2 at E3.
Now Microsoft doesnt want Epic to steal hype away from the next Halo at GC.

Personally I just want to see some damn Alan Wake

KEELr

Lol, the same country that once made lampshades out of people thinks that violent games may corrupt them. Irony is alive and well.

Wickerman1972

I guess this is why their presence isn't as good overseas. I find it ironic though that a country that is cool with many social deviacies draws the line at war games. Sheitze videos are OK though.

Awoken

@JakeDunn: Just read your comment. German MS-Points only work in Germany, nowhere else, sadly as is.

Rianq

I must suck to be a German gamer =(

IronsUK

@Wickerman1972: Ohhh yes because the same people who committed those atrocities are still alive & well today, and ironically now make censorship laws, from their retirement homes...

Mr.Monkey

It may also come as no surprise nearly all WWII shooters are also banned in Germany, had a really interesting chat with a German Guy over Live "ages" ago playing Cod 3...

It was quite fascinating getting his Pov, & refreshing to find intelligent conversation over Live...

Mr.Monkey

I live in Germany and I concur with KEELr: The Games Convention is the biggest video game expo in Europe, there's going to be people from many different european nations and many journalists from overseas. Also importing banned games from nearby, german-speaking nations is a piece of cake, so this really can't be the true reason they aren't showing gears at the GC.

@Wickerman: Lol, the same country that once slaughtered most of the native Americans over a hundred years ago is playing Turok today. Irony is alive and screwing your butthole.

Rianq

ahh okay, sorry :D

M.C.-Action

Where is my comment? Kotaku? Did u erase again?

M.C.-Action

@ IronsUK: You forgot the "t" and "No" it doesn´t suck to be a german gamer. Every game which is on the german index can easily bought online from the UK or the US. That´s simple. That´s how i do it for my PS3. I love region free.

And I don´t give a **** if Gears 2 comes to GC. It´s only logical. Why should they promote a game which won´t be sold here!? But what I really don´t get is this We-Are-Nintendo-And-We-Dont-Need-The-GC-Opinion! That´s sucks big time. Germany is a huge market for them and they just focus on their damn promotional stuff! That is stupid.

Still i am looking forward to go to the GC on the 20th of august.

M.C.-Action

:/

Censorship at its worst.

GustavB

@Awoken: Yeah, that was strange to me too. >.>

Still, I always thought Germany was more of a PC market anyway (since unrated games can still be sold on PC). All the big console news was revealed before E3.

RawSteelUT

I'm glad Belgium doesn't have those idiotic restrictions.

Prime-Omega

I'm okay as long as I have my german beer.

Wikermanns brainless comment? Oh, I saw that coming.

sofiabudapest

At least they`ll be saved from having dude huge running around.....

juscallmeweasel

Microsoft said the same thing with Gears of War but on day one even the major retailers sold fully German localized "Austrian imports" which they got directly from Microsoft.

If you live in Germany you will be able to just buy it. But then again the 360 accounts for less than 10% of the German console market so NO 360 title on Games Convention will be a big hit in Germany.

Asbestos_Underwear

Aren't Germans to busy owning me in CS:S to care?

Suda51

Poor Germans, that's a shame!

If they don't like it, they should, you know, rise up and...

never mind.

Atheist Jew

That makes sense foe Epic. It's not like MS doesn't have the resources to show people the game at X08 or where ever they choose. I wonder if any third parties will announce new games along the lines of Cataan. I think the studio responsible for Mad Trax is based in France and is working on Things on Wheels. I wonder if we'll see new stuff from them and studios in Europe who didn't want to attend or couldn't attend E3.

And even though I'm not surprised by the stupid comments, it is depressing to see people with such a small world view. No, Germany is a PLACE, not a person, so just because something happened in that country more than half a century ago doesn't mean its people approved. It's people are like you and I, individuals. That goes with any place. Because some posters from the US make stupid comments, don't assume everyone is ignorant, stupid, or closed-minded.

peacefuloutrage

@ suston3d How is that a lame excuse? It's pointless for them to bother with it since Germans won't be getting the game. It would be a waste of their money and time on a country that won't allow consumers the freedom to play the game.

GoW is not half ass, but you wouldn't know that due to your countries restrictions.

Doll

@suston3d:

Thats not an excuse. Anyone know what is the restriction in German for video games?

Video game cannot have blood in it. Usully you can have a little blood in the game and the developper made a "light" version of the game for Germans. But for GOW 2 ... i dont think its that easy

Systematix007

What for a lame excuse .. ridiculous !!

Seems like they gave up on us Germans and know that we are a PC/Sony/Nintendo Territory and its a waste of time showing us some half-ass FPS ? :P

Said to see that the GC is in EPIC eyes not the next E3 or at least the showcase for Europe, since its the biggest gaming convention in europe. Just like Nintendo ... and i thought last year the GC would start owning E3 this year :/

suston3d

I thank god at that I'm not German right now.

Cheroro

Makes sense, given that they can't offically sell the title in Germany. And I don't think they would be winning any points with the local politicians if they were encouraging people to skirt around the law by importing the title.

Granted I don't know how "bad" importing is considered out there, if at all. But I can easily see a politician trying to capture the scared parent vote by crusading aganist the ability to import. You know, "for the children".

@Everyone making dumb comments about what the Germans or Americans did: Ummm, yeah, have any of you ever bothered to read a history book? Pretty much every modern day country is based on one group of people conquering another group of people (who in turn had conquered a previous group of people etc. etc.) and often committing various forms of genocide on others. There isn't a single country today that doesn't have blood on it's hands. So pointing out what X country did to Y people is nothing more than asshatery.

deadjesterx

Germans are more PC gamers anyway. Maybe if they were releasing gears two on PC then it might be worth showing it off. But then considering the enthusiasm for the first one on PC I don't think many will give a fuck.

T.Henderson

@suston3d: Fresh cup of irrational hate in your cup. What a great way to start the day. Good Job!

okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under)

For some reason, now I am glad I don't have the money to go to Leipzig this year. The reason for me te go was basicly to play Gears 2.

On the issue of not selling the game in Germany: they choose their government/game age rating authority thing, and the government/game age rating authority thing found the game too violent to be sold. It's their own problem. Congratulations Germany, you have screwed yourself once again.

Ganonmaster

@El-Suave: I'm assuming that Mad World 1 wasn't banned in Germany so that may have something to do with it :/

okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under)

Personally, I think they should bring it and have a guy play it behind a glass enclosure so all can see but not touch. With the added touch of a sign that reads "wish you were here".

Quicksilver4648

You guys freaking out about my comment are hilarious. You make it sound like I was somehow celebrating Nazism. I most certainly was not. I find the events that took place in that country all those decades ago to be the most appalling in human history. But that eventually a law would spring forth from that very same nation prohibiting something that most other countries are fine with is an irony so jarring that I simply couldn't resist mentioning it. I guess the way you guys deal with such things is to just pretend they never happened. History is written to be remembered and lessons learned from it, not buried in some untouchable and never spoken of box. And damn it, I am of German blood! If I want to poke fun at Germany for Nazism than I damned well am going to do it.

Wickerman1972

Germany, screwing over gamers since 1985 (Examples, Castlevania Blood Lines, Contra, Ninja Gaiden (Xbox version) and many more).

Dehnus

You know what? HA! screw you germany!

Stueymon

Ah crap! Here I was hoping for a new level to be unveiled or for the Kotaku guys to stalk Dude Huge. Come to think of it, when was the last stalking that took place? It's certainly time for another one...

I hope we get some surprises from GC this year. And some more Ghostbusters hands-on time would be great!

excaliburps

Isn't there any way around this? Replace the chainsaw with a long lollypop stick? the characters could be like pinatas : when they die, they become sweets?

It sure sucks (no pun intended) to be german!

RogerGerald

...that's why the GC is actually the biggest Game Show - not only in good old Europe...

They should rly rethink the strat. GC and Europe is not Germany like in 38 to 45. So they messed up not only with Deutschland. Anyway, Austria (not Australia) has not such restrictions, so they Germans will invade them again to get that game.

Stupid Flanders!

Eschekt

@Wickerman1972

You should do something else then play videogames and comment on Kotaku all day. In case you didn't notice: World War 2 has been over since 1945.

Popelmaster

@Salen: The first part was also not officially sold in Germany since the German USK seal of approval was denied. The really bad thing about it is, that even though you can import the game, you can not download any additional content for the game in Germany and therefore you will have a problem when you want to play multiplayer matches... The same issue will be with part 2 :-(.

Sebion

It is not true, that Germay has the Problems with restrictions. The Problem is, that M$ Germany thinks, that violent Games are bad for the Companys Image in public. That is why Microsoft did not releases its M rated Games in Germany. Other Companys do release M Rated Games in Germany with no problems. So it is just a stupid Marketing campaign to show all of the doubting Parents, that Games are not violent. Sorry for my shitty English. Meta

EnochAristomachus

GoW has not been rated yet, so the federal rules shouldn't be in effect for this game. It's something different if you want to sell a game without rating in good old Germany (as such games automatically get the +18 branding as far as I remember it right), but showing the game at the GC should be okay.

Al Bino

So! We got enough of the game at E3. Let some other games shine a bit as MS tries to appeal to a more ... European audience at Leipzig.

DARTH_TIGRIS

Damn censorship nazis. If they're going to deny the people from enjoying something it should be something thats actually bad for you like cigarettes. At least GOW2 won't give you lung cancer. Not saying that I want them to ban cigarettes or anything, but they cause more damage to you than GOW2 will ever cause. At least they get to chose if we want to get cancer or not.

Malevolentburrito

@tzaketh: Please tell me you're not American... please tell me you're British or something... Please don't be one more obnoxious American doing things to piss people off worldwide... I can't take much more of that kind of embarrassment.

bobtheduck

Nothing beats messing with the Germans about WW2-- when I lived in Frankfurt in 2003, I used to walk around down town with a Nazi Armband on, and an old German WW2 Helmet with a bullet hole in it my Grandfather picked off of some Nazi he killed and mailed home-- It's still got blood rust on the inside.

What's great is that the Swastika is illegal in Germany because they lack freedom of speech, but I had diplomatic immunity so the Polizei couldn't do jack shit to me but get angry as I would start yelling about Jude.

tzaketh

thst kind of sucks, but hey its all good. only a couple of months away from gears. so its all good then when it comes out we can be chainsawing each others like crazy. :)

@Wickerman1972: -.- your commenting is obsolete. please leave and never come back.

Milkzhakes

I heard they can sell it but they can't advertise it or put on a shelf with other games, like porn. You have to walk up to the counter in a trench coat and be like "psst Gustoff, lemmie have a look at the catalog, no not the shista porn! the violent american video games... ok and maybe a little shista porn too...

luigilogik

@tzaketh:

And two Germans who found the whole thing hilarious.

tzaketh

@bobtheduck:

I should note that the friends I did this with were Portugese, Scottish, Irish, and English, so it was really a multinational coalition of pissing off the Germans.

tzaketh

@bobtheduck:

Oh, I'm an American. I also wrote "IT NEVER HAPPENED" in the guest book at some Concentration Camp. In German, of course.

I also rode all the trains in Germany without buying tickets for the same reason.

tzaketh

Wickerman1972: It's irony if in the actual Third Reich brutal video games were banned. Anything else is as ironic as President Lincoln supporting black people whereas earlier presidents did not. Get your rethoric straight.

Rianq

They're just covering up for not releasing Wolfenstein

Ultrasinc

This is the drawback for monopolized online services like Steam or the Xbox thing. It's so big, governments can censor it effectively. Multiplayer or other essential online-features (like actually being able to PLAY the game, or an uncensored version of it) can be banned completely for every gamer with a certain IP address.

Or look at the Chinese, they're already doing it to perfection with world-news, critical blogs and civil-rights websites. I'm just glad they're protecting us from upsetting material. So we can shut up and do as we're told.

lumpi

I was in Germany around the time GoW was released in Europe and I asked a store employee whether it was available. His response to my question in English.

Employee: "No, no. Gears of War is DANGER GAME."

There you have it. Gears of War is DANGER GAME. In case you were wondering, Wes Craven's Jericho was also banned from sale around the same time. The games industry will be hesitant to expand in Germany until they reform the ratings system. No sense creating a game in a market you can't sell it.

NervClaX

@Systematix007 : Actually i live in Germany and yeah your right, if there is way to much blood the germans crap their pants and you wont see the game uncensored. Think it is like having naked models in a game, which will make americans freak ?!.

But still, there are plenty people who knows how to get access to those types of games without any effort (imports from austria).

@Doll : Just played the PC Version (cuz i dont own a xbox360) and i didnt like it.

Im still believing its a lame excuse, if you ever been to the GC you will notice their are plenty non-German visitors. Why not at least show it for the other Europeans (wouldnt it be the only chance?)?

There is something else you would notice, living in Germany. Politicians get more and more "pro"-videogames, even in the very conservative bavaria!! Its a market which pushes a lot of money and its not the worst thing for the german economy. Games like GTA and MGS4 showed that its going the right way in my eyes and not every game which contains blood and violence will be banned!

suston3d

Just to clear things up a bit - I'm from Germany, and let me tell you - even if Microsoft doesn't release Gears2 here officially, every adult gamer (and probably every teenage gamer :) that wants the game will be able to buy it easily for the same price every other new 360 game costs around here (50-60 EUR). The larger stores often import quite a large stock themselves and put the piles right next to the other 360 games. Then there are many online shops located in Germany which import the games from Austria, Switzerland, UK or the Netherlands. Things can get a little bit difficult when the game is officially "banned" by law (I won't go into details on this one, just know there are two tiers of a "ban"), but that takes usually a few weeks (until then everyone has it anyway), and even after that, mature gamers shouldn't have a problem (that couldn't be solved via Internet shops) buying most of the "banned" stuff. Who buys games in stores anyway these days?

Was the same with Dead Rising, Gears1, Ninja Gaiden2, Crackdown and many, many others and will be the same with Gears2.

The only real inconvenience is downloadable content (such as the Gears Maps) not being available on the German Live Marketplace and the same content being IP blocked from foreign marketplaces. But, once again, there is a workaround via proxy server. No biggie.

membran

Okay?

Maherr

@tzaketh: And you wonder why Americans are being perceived as bumbling, domineering idiots in many parts of the world?

robur