Use a Game Boy in Greece, go to jail

Sergeant_Scrotum · **Use a Game Boy in Greece, go to jail -** 09-03-2002, 09:20 PM

http://www.msnbc.com/news/802893.asp?0dm=C14LT
[quote:5b00a]Sept. 3 — In Greece, playing a shoot-’em up video game could land you in jail. The government there has banned all electronic games across the country, including those that run on home computers, on Game Boy-style portable consoles, and on mobile phones. Thousands of tourists in Greece are unknowingly facing heavy fines or long terms in prison for owning mobile phones or portable video games[/quote:5b00a]

I think someone is overreacting a bit.

intrestedviewer · 09-03-2002, 09:27 PM

That just sucks, id be way pissed off if i lived there. And i dont think thats fair at all, just banning all games whatsoever to prevent illegal gambling?? thats just BS.

09-03-2002, 09:34 PM

that's faking gay

Zap. USMC · 09-03-2002, 09:39 PM

oOo:

What's next?

Pyro · 09-03-2002, 10:19 PM

everyone in Greece should move to Canada...I can't believe they would ban ANYthing anywhere like that...doens't austraillia like ban GTA 3 or something

weird countries

Tripper · 09-03-2002, 11:03 PM

Haha, Aussie sucks....*JK wook!*

We don't ban ANYTHING down here in NZ....

BallisticWookie · 09-03-2002, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyro

everyone in Greece should move to Canada...I can't believe they would ban ANYthing anywhere like that...doens't austraillia like ban GTA 3 or something

weird countries

hake: The only reason that game was "banned" because of soccermums having a little hissy fit over the ability to pick up whores and then run over them again to get your money back....The game was not banned, just rereleased with the ability to pick up whores and some cutscene taken out. The PC version has a walk around for this. Just change the region of your computer to "United States" and you can have your hookers again.

EDIT: Oh yeah, Greece sucks. They better look at ways to fix up that law or there will be more than just a few pissed of people. I mean, you cant even use a freaking Mobile Phone, what the fuck.

SoLiDUS · 09-04-2002, 03:16 AM

Greece sucks then.

I want more information though:

1- why are cell phones banned ?

2- why are electronic games banned ?

3- why the hell are tourists fined for something that is perfectly legal in their
country (or everywhere else for that matter) ?

I'm just looking for their logic here: the third I can *partially* understand
and live with... but not the first two, unless grounded in serious logic (and
they have one helluva job to do if they want me to agree with their stupid
legislation).

SoLiDUS · 09-04-2002, 03:25 AM

Visit http://www.gameland.gr for more information...

[quote:3d909] The Greek government introduced the law in an attempt to prevent illegal gambling. According to a report in the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, Greek police will be responsible for catching offenders, who will face fines of 5,000 to 75,000 euros (about $4,980 to $74,650) and imprisonment of one to 12 months.[/quote:3d909]

[quote:3d909]“They are taking it very seriously,” he said. “It even affects the games that come with Windows. This law isn’t the right one,” he added. “It is unfair. It was introduced too quickly.”[/quote:3d909]

Minesweeper, anyone ? lol

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_ar ... 2002_17011

[quote:3d909]The blanket ban was decided in February after the government admitted it was incapable of distinguishing innocuous video games from illegal gambling machines.[/quote:3d909]

Dumb fucks. That's right, let the idiotic few ruin the majority's fun...

Wolf-Man · 09-04-2002, 03:37 AM

Man, this is great news! I'm going to Greece to buy some cheap computers!!!
[img]http://forums.off-topic.net/images/smilies/wiggle.gif[/img]

warmonger · 09-04-2002, 05:20 AM

lol Wolf-Man. this is some of what i was getting at with my murder post/poll. where the hell do these ppl get off say we can't do this or that. will we no longer be able to read book that contains violence because the senario contained therein would be seen as a blueprint for whatever crime is being depicted? it absolutely ludricrous mad:

09-04-2002, 06:02 AM

the horror the horror!!! This is worst than the communist for me.

You know how much money I will make for selling illegal games there! evil:

SoLiDUS · 09-04-2002, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmonger

lol Wolf-Man. this is some of what i was getting at with my murder post/poll. where the hell do these ppl get off say we can't do this or that. will we no longer be able to read book that contains violence because the senario contained therein would be seen as a blueprint for whatever crime is being depicted? it absolutely ludricrous mad:

Indeed...

Zoner · 09-04-2002, 08:07 AM

I guess we can add the Greek government to that Wall of Idiots sig, huh?

(Sorry for starting the other thread on this...oops. oOo: )

Zone

Star85 · 09-04-2002, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoLiDUS

Greece sucks then.

I want more information though:

1- why are cell phones banned ?

2- why are electronic games banned ?

3- why the hell are tourists fined for something that is perfectly legal in their
country (or everywhere else for that matter) ?

I'm just looking for their logic here: the third I can *partially* understand
and live with... but not the first two, unless grounded in serious logic (and
they have one helluva job to do if they want me to agree with their stupid
legislation).

Yeah it is stupid but when you visit another country your are obliged to find out and follow their laws.