WRITTEN QUESTION E-3142/98

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas (PPE) to the Commission

(16 October 1998)

Subject: Dangerous computer games

There is a computer game called "Carmageddon" which, I am appalled to say, many children enjoy playing. The game consists of a car rally in which points are scored by running over as many people and animals as possible along the circuit of the rally. The winner is the highest scorer and the number of points scored varies thus: 100 points for running over a fat man; 125 for a policeman or a little old lady; 150 for running over a cow or if one manages to drive into an American stadium and run over the players lined up in the middle of the field etc. Points can also be scored depending on the amount of time taken to do this. As far as the Member is aware, this computer game is banned in Germany.

In view of the public concern at the fact that European children could enjoy playing this horrible game, I would like to ask the Commission the following questions:

- Can the Commission say whether it is aware of this particular form of computer "entertainment"?

- Would it be possible for the "Carmageddon" computer game to be banned throughout the Union?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(1 February 1999)

The Commission is aware, as a result of information disseminated by the media, of the existence of the computer game in question and the concerns it raises in respect of the possible effects on users, particularly children.

As regards the possibility of banning the game throughout the Community, the Commission must point out that the matter essentially comes under the Member States' responsibility for preventing violence and crime.

It would appear that the authorities in the Member States are carefully monitoring the problems posed by dangerous computer games, and in some cases action has already been taken to ban the game in question at national level, as mentioned by the Honourable Member. Certain Member States also have a classification system for computer games based on their level of violence, and ban their sale to minors on the basis of age criteria.