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German ratings board says 'nein!' to Dead Rising 3

Microsoft won’t release Dead Rising 3 in Germany. This decision comes after Germany’s media-ratings board refused to classify the title, according to Games Welt.

The European country’s ratings board is notoriously strict on video game violence, but it did not reveal why it made its decision. Dead Rising 3 is an action game with zombies. The Capcom Vancouver-developed title will enable players to wipe out the undead in a variety of creative ways, making light of the grim situation. Microsoft is publishing the game, which is exclusive to Xbox One.

“Dead Rising 3 will not be released in Germany as part of the Xbox One launch lineup on Nov. 22, having been unable to attain an age-rating upon review by BPJM — Bundeprüfstelle für Jugendgefährende Medien — the country’s entertainment software self-regulation body,” a Microsoft representative said in a statement. “While Microsoft is disappointed with this decision, we respect the views of the review panel and have withdrawn Dead Rising 3 from Germany’s Xbox One launch lineup.”

We’ve reached out to the BPJM to ask why it refused classification. We will update this post with any new information.


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Dead Rising 3 is one of the biggest releases Microsoft will have for its next-gen system at launch. Zombie titles typically sell well, too. Even without Capcom’s action title, the Xbox One still has a pretty robust lineup in Germany that includes FIFA 14, Call of Duty: Ghosts, Ryse: Son of Rome, and Watch Dogs.