It's Now Easier for Games to Feature Nazi Villains Without Getting Banned in Germany

Germany decided on a regulatory change today that will soften the country's stance on Nazi symbols in video games.

As GamesIndustry.biz summarizes, prior to today's decision, games like Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus, which was set in an alt-history United States which was taken over by Nazi Germany, would have to scrub Nazi symbols and alter things like Hitler's appearance.

Game, the German video game trade body, announced that "effective immediately" the national authorities will now allow the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body, or USK, to give video games with previously banned content featuring "unconstitutional organizations" (Nazis), an age rating.

It will be a case-by-case procedure by the USK and games will need to comply with the "social adequacy clause" in section 86 of the German Criminal Code which states the use of "those symbols serve an artistic or scientific purpose or depict current or historical events."

Games like Wolfenstein 2, which are critical of fascist regimes like the Nazis, can finally express the full political discourse of their themes thanks to these changes.

Film and literature have been able to include "unconstitutional organizations" in their work under this clause for years, but now video games will be given the same freedoms. "This new decision is an important step for games in Germany," said MD of Game Felix Falk in a statement. "We have long campaigned for games to finally be permitted to play an equal role in social discourse, without exception."

Check out our Wolfenstein 2 guide while you're here for more nazi-punching tips.