Report: Banned games still available in Arab Emirates [Joystiq]

[DP ServBot]

Filed under: Culture (http://www.joystiq.com/category/culture/), Microsoft Xbox 360 (http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/)
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2007/08/uae.jpg (http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Technology/10144963.html)The United Arab Emirates might have just gotten the Xbox 360 (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/27/ps3-launches-in-india-xbox-360-in-uae/), but the country's government doesn't want people playing some of the more violent games out there. That's OK, though -- the citizens of the country seem to have no trouble getting hold of the banned games, according to a recent report.

Gulf News reveals (http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Technology/10144963.html) that UAE retailers routinely sell games like Grand Theft Auto under the table for 170 to 180 dirham (about $45 - $50) despite an official ban from the country's censorship department. "Smaller stores tend to buy games from wholesalers without getting official approval, or import it directly, many of which would be sold under the table." said Lalit Vase, Regional Manager at Take Two Regional Distributor Red Entertainment and Distribution in an interview with Gulf News. Even if the local UAE stores don't have it, it's usually possible to get around the law with Internet ordering (http://www.souq.com/item.php?id=2300799&list=search&pos=4&search_keys=grand+theft+auto&page=1).

It begs the question: If video game bans aren't effective in relatively closed states like the UAE, how effective would similar bans be in more liberal societies?

Read | Permalink (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/report-banned-games-still-available-in-arab-emirates/) | Email this (http://www.joystiq.com/forward/960427/) | Comments (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/report-banned-games-still-available-in-arab-emirates/#comments)

http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-aol_weblogs_xml&channel=Joystiq_07_RSS&output=png&cuid=11-960427&url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/report-banned-games-still-available-in-arab-emirates/
http://feeds.joystiq.com/~f/weblogsinc/joystiq?i=We6t7rZv</img> (http://feeds.joystiq.com/~f/weblogsinc/joystiq?a=We6t7rZv) http://feeds.joystiq.com/~f/weblogsinc/joystiq?i=VoeyZBFb</img> (http://feeds.joystiq.com/~f/weblogsinc/joystiq?a=VoeyZBFb)
http://feeds.joystiq.com/~r/weblogsinc/joystiq/~4/142158203

More... (http://feeds.joystiq.com/~r/weblogsinc/joystiq/~3/142158203/)

[kedawa]

Good. I hate censorship and I have nothing but smiles and cookies for anyone that circumvents these bullshit laws.

[Kitsune Sniper]

The fact that they get their games at a much cheaper price than we do down in Mexico pisses me off beyond imagination.

Of course, they don't pay import taxes. Blergh.

[smork]

The fact that they get their games at a much cheaper price than we do down in Mexico pisses me off beyond imagination.

Of course, they don't pay import taxes. Blergh.

Yah, but don't tell me you're not buying yours in the US, Kitsune.... At least I hope you don't pay those horrible prices they like to charge outside the major markets! :)

[Kitsune Sniper]

Yah, but don't tell me you're not buying yours in the US, Kitsune.... At least I hope you don't pay those horrible prices they like to charge outside the major markets! :)

Yes, I buy the games in the US. C'mon, I live three blocks from the damn fence! :P

But the point still stands. Mexicans in general have to pay lots of taxes. I hate it. Sorry for going off in a tangent like that.