Counter-Strike Banned in Brazil

[CSN NewsBot]

Certainly there's nothing that stirs up violent tendencies more than videogames, and Brazil is right on the ball with their recent ban on a few controversial titles. A law passed in October 2007 actually set the ball rolling on a ban of violent gaming titles that includes Counter-Strike and EverQuest. It is only now that the new law is being enforced.

Some psychologists have described them as addictive as drugs. A few players have turned professional, earning money from powerful characters they sell, or from the auction of hard-to-win virtual items.



The judge, Carlos Alberto Simoes, ruled that the games encouraged "the subversion of public order, were an attack against the democratic state and the law and against public security."

Sigh. But wait, it gets better! A Kotaku reader currently living in Brazil had this to add.

Procon, Brazilian governmental foundation for consumer defense, argued, on its website, that Counter-Strike is a game where "Rio de Janeiro drug dealers kidnapp and take to a slum three UN (representatives). The police invades the place and is welcomed with bullets. (...) In the vision of experts the game teaches war techniques".

Congratulations on banning a game that's been available for years now. Ignorance must surely be bliss.

[orion]

Education is too expensive and no one wants to be a REAL educator anymore.



Lets make it easy and just ban everything that could possibly and very loosely (read: not really at all) induce our children into negative influences, thats easier.



/sarcasm



I get tired of these slippery slope arguments like, Games have violence, therefore all violent video games are responsible for violence amongst teenagers. Parents need to take initiative and educate their children better, and raise them to properly show them the difference between reality and fantasy. Also show them responsible ways to release their problems by communicating and building good relationships. Don't blame Hollywood or Game Manufacturers for failure to raise your child in an adequate manner.



As for the drug addiction argument, that is another slippery slope argument. Games are fun, games can be addicting, therefore games should be banned so addictions can't be formed. Bullshit. Its called moderation, anything can be taken to excess. Wine is great for your body in moderation, an excess of alcohol is not. Working out is great for your health, however pushing your body too hard can lead to negative effects. Working a job is a great way to earn money, however working so much that you have no chance to live is a poor way too live. ANYTHING can be an addiction, its about moderating it, not banning it totally. Honestly, Id rather see countries ban substances like cigarettes which are proven to cause harm in any dosage, then ban products that only have negative effects if a rule of moderation is not used.



I feel sorry for the many Brazilians who game to have fun and now lost their privileges, I hope this attitude does not spawn in America (or any other country for that matter).

[Thortok2000]

Yes, it's a slippery slope. I still see where they're coming from, though.



The best and most responsible thing would be a better education system that promotes moderation, as orion says basically. But that's not necessarily always possible. Sometimes governments will feel that some step has to be taken, even if it's not the right step.



Governments suck. People are idiots. Why would we ever want people in control of anything?

[MrBosnia]

I'm not surprised, this is South America. Only one country in (Argentina) LOOKS like it has a government run by people who have an I.Q. of at least 60.



This ban on Counter-Strike is idiotic on MANY levels that there is no point in naming them. Brazil should be worrying more about closing down illegal-substance manufacturing facilities on its soil then worry about banning video games.

[Diamond Dust]

well at least Brazil has it's priorities in order, child prostitution.... bah lets make sure no one plays CS.

[_PeNgUiNs_ lord]

"Counter-Strike is a game where "Rio de Janeiro drug dealers kidnapp and take to a slum three UN (representatives). The police invades the place and is welcomed with bullets."



There is no plot, its just me and my mates shooting each other, just like we did with pretend guns when we were younger, there was no harm in it when we were kids and there's no harm in it now.

I can understand how psychotic or mentally damaged people could become violent if subjected to violent games, but that also goes for movies, tv shows, books, the news, or just general rage.



Dinosaurs killed each other all the time and they didn't play video games.

[Venom666]

"Dinosaurs killed each other all the time and they didn't play video games."



HAHAHAHHAHA!!!



I'm from Brazil... I play CS since 2000... and never killed anyone... hehehe!!!



The things here are slow moving... CS is still played on LAN Houses and you can buy it on any software store...



I hope this doesn't change anything here... a game that is out for almost 9 years being banned now is a shame for us...

"Counter-Strike is a game where "Rio de Janeiro drug dealers kidnapp and take to a slum three UN (representatives). The police invades the place and is welcomed with bullets."



CS_RIO... ¬¬

[soniv]

I'm really ashamed of being brazilian right now.



So many wrong things happening all the time, and government prohibits games. Never come to Brazil! This country is a real joke.



I live in Rio, and what I can say is... Violence and corruption took over the city.



orion, Thortok2000 and Diamond Dust are completely right!



Can't wait to get out of here.

[-:Nighthawk:-]

I don't think you all have a ton to worry about... seriously, if the news is anywhere close to accurate Brazil can't enforce most of its own laws properly, so one judge banning a few video games isn't going to stop most from playing them or selling them for that matter.



Is it a silly law? Sure, but when you see your country in a downward spiral, you start getting to the point where you're willing to try anything that might possibly stop the cycle. Some people do truly get addicted to video games... it's a big problem even here in the States. Doesn't mean the media is at fault, though. In my opinion our culture of seeking entertainment and whatever's "fun" being basically the purpose of life (and tolerance of this viewpoint) is the underlying issue for many addictions.



Anyway, I remember cs_rio and the rap song playing near the hostages... good times, hehe.

[MrBosnia]

-:Nighthawk:- wrote..

I don't think you all have a ton to worry about... seriously, if the news is anywhere close to accurate Brazil can't enforce most of its own laws properly, so one judge banning a few video games isn't going to stop most from playing them or selling them for that matter.



Is it a silly law? Sure, but when you see your country in a downward spiral, you start getting to the point where you're willing to try anything that might possibly stop the cycle. Some people do truly get addicted to video games... it's a big problem even here in the States. Doesn't mean the media is at fault, though. In my opinion our culture of seeking entertainment and whatever's "fun" being basically the purpose of life (and tolerance of this viewpoint) is the underlying issue for many addictions.



Anyway, I remember cs_rio and the rap song playing near the hostages... good times, hehe.

Good points.



On a "technical-law" aspect, the Brazilian government can't really suspend thousands and thousands of Steam accounts being used in its country which have Counter-Strike in them. A Brazilian friend living in Brasilia told me about this, and how the "Brazilian CS community" laughed when they heard about this in their news and instantly knew they really won't do anything.

[Kidmode]

Brazil... and I am a brazilian. Oh please...