The Steam administration is serious about content related to Nazi ideology, and even the source files of the games are subject to verification. And the store usually does not make independent decisions regarding the releases of such games in Germany, shifting it to USK.
MS Games could have released Land of War as it is, but then the game would not have entered the German market – and it is the third largest in Europe. Therefore, it was decided to hide the controversial elements so that the game could be released in Germany. But at the same time, part of the Nazi symbols remained in the source code, and now the studio is solving this issue with USK.
The creators of Land of War want to release the game simultaneously in all markets. After that, in anticipation of the USK’s decision, the developers are going to make a patch that will open the swastikas and “totenkopfs” everywhere except Germany.
As you know, the display of German symbols from the Second World War is regulated by Article 86a of the German Penal Code, and its provisions also apply to entertainment content, including games.
The creators have already encountered this before Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (they even had to shave Hitler) and Wolfenstein: Youngblood (the game was released in two different versions). However, the corresponding symbolism was allowed to be used in Warsaw and Through the darkest of times: it was the first German game with such a resolution.
MS Games studio promises to announce the new release date of Land of War as soon as possible.
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