Switzerland passes violent games ban

Just a month after the proposals were first outlined in full, the Swiss National Council has now officially passed a law that will ultimately lead to the complete ban of any violent video games in the country.

GamesMarkt reports that the full implications of the ruling will not be known until the Government reveals the exact requirements that will be laid down by the new legislation – a decision that has not yet been made.

What is certain though is that the Swiss authorities have now obtained the power to introduce any measures they see fit.

The likeliest outcome seems to be an outright ban on the production, distribution and sale of any games deemed to be unsuitable – most likely anything with either a PEGI 16+ or PEGI 18+ certificate.

The original motion had called for the ban on any title that requires cruel acts of violence against humans and humanlike creatures for in-game success”.

The nation’s games retailers had previously lobbied for a style of self-regulation that would place strict controls on the sale of games to minors, but it now looks very unlikely that the sector will escape that lightly.