Removal of Nazi symbol bans in German video games

Return to Castle Wolfenstein released uncut in Germany

Germany amended its criminal code in 2018 to allow Nazi symbols in video games under the social adequacy clause for art, science, or historical representation.

Until 2018, Nazi symbols such as swastikas were banned in video games in Germany.

Since 2018, the social adequacy clause of § 86a Abs. 3 of the German Criminal Code has been applicable to video games. This allows for the inclusion of Nazi symbols if they are used for art, science, or historical representation, with the USK deciding on a case-by-case basis whether a game meets these requirements.

A censored German version of Return to Castle Wolfenstein, replacing Nazis with 'Wolfsclan', was released in 2001 and later also indexed in April 2002.

In 2001, a heavily adapted German version of Return to Castle Wolfenstein was released, which removed swastikas and replaced Nazis with the fictional 'Wolfsclan'.

Despite these changes, even the censored German version was indexed in April 2002, as it was deemed substantially identical to the original version that had been indexed in February 2002 for containing graphic violence and Nazi symbolism.

Return to Castle Wolfenstein was indexed as harmful media in February 2002 due to graphic violence and Nazi symbolism.

In February 2002, the original version of Return to Castle Wolfenstein was indexed for containing Nazi symbolism and graphic violence.

Even a heavily adapted German version of the game, which had been released in 2001 with swastikas removed and Nazis replaced by a fictional 'Wolfsclan', was indexed in April 2002 because it was considered substantially identical to the original version.