restrictions on ordering Wolfenstein 3D - corporate policy?

[ixfd64]

The 3DR site says that the company does not sell Wolfenstein 3D to German residents. I'm aware that the game is banned in Germany; however, 3D Realms is based in the U.S. and thus not subject to German laws. From what I gather, the worst that could happen is that the game would be intercepted and confiscated by German customs.

So is there any reason why 3D Realms won't ship the game to Germany? I understand that the company probably doesn't want people to pay for a product that they'll never receive, but if a German resident decides to take a risk ordering something that's banned, then it's their responsibility.

[Kristian Joensen]

There is no shipment involved any more. The 3DR store is 100% based around digital downloads.

[ixfd64]

The 3DR website still says the game cannot be ordered by German residents. Does this apply to digital downloads as well? Just curious.

[Kristian Joensen]

Yes I would assume so.

[Rapture_Rising]

I would assume that its for legal arse covering purposes, if the German government found out that 3D Realms has been distributing illegal content then 3DR could be in a lot of trouble, so it would be safer to not distribute to Germany.

[ixfd64]

I don't see how the German government could do much seeing that 3D Realms is based in the U.S. But I guess the company doesn't want to complicate relations with Germany; the last thing we want is for them to restrict all of 3D Realms' other games. This may be why Steam often blocks games in the countries in which they're banned even though Valve is also a U.S. company.

[Rapture_Rising]

Originally Posted by ixfd64

I don't see how the German government could do much seeing that 3D Realms is based in the U.S. But I guess the company doesn't want to complicate relations with Germany; the last thing we want is for them to restrict all of 3D Realms' other games. This may be why Steam often blocks games in the countries in which they're banned even though Valve is also a U.S. company.

Every company still has to abide by rules of every country it deals with.

As i said before its just a legal thing, its better to just not ship to Germany then possibly facing a massive fine for breaking the law, as stupid as it is.

[Kristian Joensen]

A company can be both sued and prosecuted in any country in operates in.

[ixfd64]

I'll have to admit - I didn't know a company could be prosecuted by a foreign country. it's a scary thought.

[MrFlibble]

It's not only about the fear of being prosecuted, it's about, you know, respecting your business partners in other countries, that kind of stuff.

I'm certain individual German citizens have ways of obtaining the game if they really want to. After all, if I'm not mistaken, it is not illegal for Germans to privately own a copy, only to distribute it.

Unlike Doom, the ban of which in Germany was lifted last year, Wolfenstein 3-D is not likely to follow suit any time soon, for obvious reasons.

[King Duke]

The thing about Doom is a whole different story, as it was only "put on the index". You were always allowed do buy that game if you are at least 18 years old. It was only forbidden to advertise for the game in public (which means you would never see it in the shelves of any store other than an adults-only place). These restrictions also apply to Rise of the Triad and Blake Stone, by the way.

The PC version of Wolfenstein 3D is confiscated, which means that it's illegal to sell, distribute or advertise for the game in Germany. If the nazi references were removed from the game (like in the german versions of "RTCW" and "Wolfenstein" etc.) then it would probably be legal to sell that version of Wolf3D in Germany. I'm not sure but I think the SNES version of Wolf3D is neither confiscated nor put on the index in Germany.

And by the way: