Score one for progressive public freedoms! Doom finally cleared for general release in Germany

Ladies and gentlemen, we stand together on a momentous day. Truly, it is one that will go down as a landmark in the history of human freedom and man's progressive attitude towards art, his fellow man, and in fact pretty much every aspect of everything relating to human existence ever. Because today, I am delighted to be able to report, is the day that Doom and Doom II have finally been cleared for general release by the German ratings board.

Share in this victory people, for in a way, we have all taken our first step towards a new, more enlightened state of being this day.

Why so long? Well given Germany's notoriously puritanical attitude towards media censorship, both games had previously been indexed by the ominously-named Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons, meaning that were categorised as being in the same division as porn and under heavy retail and advertising restrictions. And the best bit? An appeal on indexed material can only occur after ten years.

Having bought Doom Developer id Software in 2009, Bethesda obviously figured "Why the hell not?" and has succeeded in having the decision over-turned. Technically the appeal could have been put into action in 2003, but presumably John Carmack has been too busy since then making Jurassic Park quality CG dinosaurs render out on pocket calculator. You know, just for fun.

Sadly though, still no reprieve for Wolfenstein 3D. Mecha-Hitler weeps with impotent jealousy.

September 1, 2011