- Germany edition
- Change edition:
- France |
- Norway |
- Spain |
- Sweden |
- Switzerland
Video game simulates East German border terror
Published: 29 Sep 10 12:16 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20100929-30147.html
A controversial new video game set for release on the 20th anniversary of German reunification this week lets players take on the roles of trigger-happy East German border guards or political fugitives running for their lives.
- Conservatives demand East German symbol ban (21 May 13)
- Big pharma 'human guinea pigs' spark anger (16 May 13)
- GDR football coach tackles Singapore team (16 May 13)
“Through the personal identification as a fugitive of the republic or a border guard, and the intensive experience of the border areas, the interest of the young generation in the conflict of recent German history will be awakened,” according to a statement by the university.
Creator Jens M. Stober, a student at the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design, born in 1986 just a few years before the Berlin Wall fell, presented the game to journalists on Tuesday.
Players, depending on whether their characters are guards or escapees, must choose whether to shoot, arrest, run, give up, kill, or be killed.
The consequences of these actions along the Iron Curtain include prison for attempted escapees and honours for soldiers. But border guards who shoot to kill more than three times are magically transported to the year 2000, where they face trial for their crimes.
The point system considers both political and social aspects of players’ actions – too many dead people at the border increases political pressure on East Germany, lowering the player’s score.
But the director of the Berlin Wall Memorial, Axel Klausmeier, called the game “tasteless,” and an insult to the families of those killed along the border while trying to escape.
He also said the game was “unsuitable” for teaching historical facts.
“The seriousness of what once went on at the border can’t be portrayed in this way,” he said.
“1378 (km),” named after the length of the border between East and West Germany that remained for 28 years, will be available for download free of charge beginning October 3, German Unity Day.
1378(km) - Teaser from Jens M. Stober on Vimeo.
DAPD/ka
External link: Download game here starting October 3. »
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Germany's collective blame phobia
The Germans have a particular phobia – they live in constant fear of being blamed for something. A commentary by Der Tagesspiegel's Malte Lehming. READ () »
Conservatives demand East German symbol ban
Germany's Christian Democrats (CDU) called on Tuesday for symbols associated with the totalitarian socialist regime of former East Germany to be banned, in the same way that it is illegal to display Nazi memorabilia. READ () »
States to toughen laws on drunken cycling
German state interior ministers are hashing out a plan to lower the amount of alcohol cyclists can legally consume before getting on their bikes. The measures come as figures show one in 10 bike accidents are the result of drunk riders. READ () »
The Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek dies at 74
Ray Manzarek, co-founder of legendary 1960s rock band The Doors and creator of their signature organ sound, died on Monday in Germany after a long battle with cancer, his manager said. He was 74. READ () »
England fans decry 'German' football jersey
The new jersey for England’s national football team has sparked the ire of English fans for looking too much like the kit archrivals Germany wore when they won the World Cup in 1974. READ () »
'My friends call me travelling x-ray salesman'
In the latest installment of My German Career, The Local spoke with New Zealander physicist Graham Appleby about Hamburg's high intensity x-ray beams and life in Germany's scientific community. READ () »
Germany seeks 'visible' Kosovo-Serbia progress
Germany has called for "visible" progress in implementing a landmark deal between Serbia and Kosovo before securing Berlin's backing for Belgrade's bid to join the European Union. READ () »
Cooler and wetter week ahead
Rain in the west, sunshine in the east - Germany's weather was divided on Monday, as the German Weather Service (DWD) warned of an unsettled week ahead. READ () »
- 21/05 The Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek dies at 74 »
- 21/05 'My friends call me travelling x-ray salesman' »
- 20/05 20,000 Goths gather in Leipzig »
- 20/05 Pricey Reichstag visitor centre scrapped »
- 19/05 Did Merkel's politics hurt Germany at Eurovision? »
- 19/05 Wagner descendant slams composer »
- 18/05 Most Germans optimistic about the future »
- 18/05 Survey: Half of gays harassed in Germany »
- 17/05 No child support if dad is anonymous sperm donor »
- 16/05 Germany in for wet Whit weekend »
- 21/05 Notre Dame evacuated after man shoots himself »
- 21/05 French ministers face grilling over tax scandal »
More news from France at thelocal.fr
More news from Norway at thelocal.no
- 21/05 Seven arrested over Stockholm's Husby riots »
- 21/05 'The future of freedom on the internet is at stake' »
More news from Sweden at thelocal.se
- 21/05 Richemont brands sale mooted after resignation »
- 21/05 Report narrows causes of fatal Sierre bus crash »
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
See all ads | Join the Marketplace
-
PsyShrink Frankfurt
The Expat Psychologists in Munich, Frankfurt and worldwide -
British Corner Shop
British Corner Shop - The online supermarket for expats -
Weiss Institut
Free yourself from Smoking addictions, Sugar craving and Alcohol addictions -
Chambervelt Rooselain & Cie Ltd.
Insurance and financial planning for English speakers in Germany -
Shiply Worldwide Ltd
Shiply the Online Transport Market Place -
PsyShrink Munich
The Expat Psychologists in Munich, Frankfurt and worldwide
848 jobs available
634 new jobs this week
156 new jobs today
- Senior Manager, Category Leader - EU Luggage (m/f)
- Manager Corporate Communications & Awareness APAC (m/f)
- German speaking Customer Services Representatives-UK Based
- Senior Manager, Inventory Planning - EU Apparel/Shoes (m/f)
- Senior Pan-EU Category Buyer - EU Apparel (m/f)
- Senior Manager, Product Management - EU Shoes (M/F)
- Sales Consultant (m/f) Market Research
- Senior Category Leader, EU Jewelry & Watches (m/f)
- Internal Audit Manager (m/f)
- Consultant (w/m) Advisory mit Schwerpunkt Performance Improvement / Düsseldorf
- Apr/09 Touring Tempelhof – Europe’s Largest Historical Monument
- Apr/09 Spring in Berlin 2013 – Where, What Why and When!
- Mar/12 Living Like a Local – Tell us what you think and win a weekend in Berlin!
- Feb/04 Escaping the City – Our Recommended Suburban Getaways
- Feb/04 Berlin Tegel Airport Transfers – How to get into the City
Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your
style? Find a German sweetheart here.
Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather
section.
Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.
Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of
charge.
Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
- “Preserve the proven, shape the new” – the International Bach Academy in Stuttgart
For more than thirty years, Helmuth Rilling shaped the international Bach Academy; now he is succeeded by Hans-Christoph Rademann. - ‘Open Mike’ – Fireworks with the Buddha
The Berlin ‘Open Mike’ entered this year its twentieth edition. - On the Stage, the Spoken Word Prevails
In January 2013 the annual meeting of the Dramaturgical Society took place in Munich; its theme: “Speaking on Stage – and about Theatre”... - The Magician of Images – Klaus Ensikat
With the technique of an Old Master and subtle humour, the award-winning graphic designer and illustrator Klaus Ensikat has for fifty years produced ingenious illustrations for literary classics and children’s books.... - A Picture Every Day – Philip Waechter
Philip Waechter, son of the famous illustrator and cartoonist Friedrich Karl Waechter, is one of the best-known contemporary writers and illustrators of children’s books....
- Conference - Pioneers on Dual Training Abroad
Germany‘s system of dual training is one of the foundations of its economic strength. - The all-German final in Wembley
Bayern München and Borussia Dortmund are playing in the final of the Champions League at London’s Wembley Stadium. - German first feature film in Cannes
A directorial debut from Germany makes it to the competition “Un Certain Regard” at the famous film festival on the Côte d’Azur. - Traveling Germany: Europa-Park
Think theme parks:Roller coasters, colorful rides, entertainment, thrills. Think Germany: Europa-Park is the largest amusement park in the country, second in Europe only to Disneyland Paris. - Frankfurt – the digital hub
The Internet hub in Frankfurt am Main is the largest in the world and places Germany in a leading position in the digital world.
- Theatre festival between the Saar and the Mosel
The Festival Perspectives in the German-French region around Saarbrücken is staging European theatre, dance and music productions. - The European Year of Citizens
2013 is the European Year of Citizens. - Europe Day, Robert Schuman and Class 4a
Enthusiasm for the idea of Europe – in the 60th European Competition, schoolchildren from Germany show what this could look like. - Relief organizations
The portals presented here provide information on the help programs offered by different organizations.
- (Junior) Event Manager
- Design Engineer Aerospace in Toulouse
- Design Feasibility Engineer / Craftsmanship Engineer (m/f)
- Electrical Engineer Stationary Energy Storage
- Ph.D. student - Security & Privacy in Vehicular Communication
- Product Safety Engineer – Subsea Services
- Segment Manager Marketing (m/f)
- Accountant
- Flavour Chemistry Senior Scientist
- Junior Database Administrator SQL Server
- 19/05 Car Boot Sale Herford
- 17/05 paid internship
- 17/05 Florida resident seeks job in baden Baden Germany
- 17/05 Berlin Writing Group
- 17/05 cheap car hire
- 15/05 Queen size bed & frame
- 17:28 Taking my daughter on holiday to Pakistan
- 17:28 2013 UEFA Champions League Final
- 17:20 Medizinisch Psychologische Untersuchung - MPU
- 17:04 Stomach doctor (Gastroenterologist) needed
- 16:53 Meet 'n' Eat - LE pique-nique français'
- 16:51 Eating Adventure Treffpunkt In NuremberG (EATING)
- 16:35 Wifi connection: where to put the modem
- 16:33 Wanted: People for Urban exploring
- 16:25 Chess players in Munich
- 16:14 Property law and my UK flat
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!
'Charming, old, beamed cottage for holiday let in Jesus Pobre, Alicante, Spain
www.littlehouseinspain.com/
Professional and qualified consultancy on all insurance and finance matters in Germany, Telephone: +49 2163 571 1740, Email: bg@albatross-assurance.com
www.albatross-assurance.com
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.
Your comments about this article:
Dank, after only 3 times?
Hopfully one unintended result of this trash is the lesson of how horrible that era really was. Imagine your own country shooting at you for wanting to get out.
Where can I get that game?
pretty pointless