What Are Banned Video Games and Where Are They Banned?

The answer to the question of whether there are banned video games varies significantly depending on the country. In the United States, there are virtually no banned video games—that is, games prohibited by law for possession. However, the line can sometimes blur due to various legal and regulatory issues such as copyright infringement and the Protection of Minors. Companies often choose to avoid certain games rather than face potential legal issues or public backlash. To illustrate, a game based on Game of Thrones could run into legal issues if it involves copyrighted material, but this is different from being banned.

Outside the U.S., regulations can differ dramatically. Some countries have strict content regulations, particularly in terms of sensitive material such as nazism, erotica, and violent themes. This means that games like Hatechips: Battle Raperas or Rapelay (a game involving sexual violence which was developed in Japan) might not be allowed in certain regions due to their controversial content.

Case Studies of Banned Video Games

United States

In the U.S., video games that have been banned include:

To Human (2012): This game was banned for copying content from the Unreal Engine. X-Men Destiny (2012): This game was also banned under similar circumstances, with developers facing legal action over the use of a underage model's likeness for a nude character. Thriek Kill (2012): Although not banned, the project was canceled by Electronic Arts (EA) when they took over the game's development company. GTA San Andreas (2004): The game had to be recalled and re-rated due to an incomplete sex mini-game that developers worked on but never released. This mini-game could still be accessed through cheats.

Middle East and Europe

These regions often have more restrictive regulations on video games. For instance, in the United Arab Emirates, which has a relatively conservative society, several popular games are banned. The list includes:

The Last of Us Part II: Banned for homosexual content. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2: Banned for picture frames on the wall with quotes from the Quran, which is a symbol of Islam. Fallout: New Vegas: Banned for its gambling and sexual themes. All GTA Titles: Banned for similar reasons. Max Pain 3: Banned for having sexual themes.

Germany, a more permissive country compared to its Middle Eastern neighbors, has stricter laws against Nazi symbols. For example, scenes from Call of Duty had to be altered to show the Iron Cross instead of the swastika to comply with German laws.

These examples illustrate how video game content can be heavily regulated based on societal sensitivities and national laws, leading to banning or significant alterations. Video game developers must be aware of these regulations to ensure their games can be sold legally in different markets.