Notes

Minecraft Ban Reports Investigated By Microsoft

Minecraft bans investigated by Microsoft By Kevin Rawlinson BBC News



11 March 2015



Minecraft owner Microsoft is investigating reports that the Turkish government is planning to ban the game, the BBC reports.



According to local media, a research conducted by the Turkish Family and Social Policies Ministry found that the game encouraged violence.



There were conflicting reports regarding what action the government was planning to take as a result.



Some suggested it could request a court to ban the game, others that it would request Microsoft to modify it.



Haberturk newspaper reported that the report from the ministry reads: "Although it can be seen as encouraging creativity among children by letting them build houses, farmlands and bridges, mobs (hostile creatures) must not be killed for these structures to be protected. The game is founded on violence.



'Social isolation'



The report stated that some children might confuse Minecraft with reality and be misled into believing that torturing animals isn't causing any pain, the newspaper said.



It said the report was based on the personal experience of a nine year-old. It also suggested that playing Minecraft could cause "social isolation".



Haberturk said that the department's legal affairs division was directed to take the first step towards banning Minecraft.



But according to Fatih Oke, a spokesman for the Turkish Embassy in Washington DC, a ban was "out of the question".
Just Another Blog


Christian Science Monitor was told by Mr Oke that there will be no ban.



"The game is not banned and it is not likely to be banned.



The Family and Social Policy Ministry doesn't have the authority to prohibit any product.



"I understand that this is what's been reported in the Turkish media, but it is incorrect.



"The ministry is not able to deal with complaints.



"In this instance I have been told that there were numerous complaints from parents regarding Minecraft and its influence on children.



"The function of this ministry is to create awareness."



The government can't prohibit the game in a unilateral manner however it could persuade that a court.



Although Turkey isn't well-known for banning gaming on computers However, there have been a few websites taken off the internet in recent years.



In the past year access to both Twitter and YouTube was temporarily shut down as well as Facebook was forced to block some pages said to be insulting the Prophet Muhammad in January this year.



'Creative freedom'



A spokesperson for Mojang, which makes Minecraft under the Microsoft umbrella after Microsoft bought the game for $2.5bn (PS1.68bn) in September 2014, declined to respond directly to the reports.



He stated: "Minecraft is enjoyed by many players in a wide range of ways.



"Many appreciate the creative freedom that's presented by Minecraft and its tools, some prefer the possibility of exploring the world without limits and to go on exciting adventures with their friends.



"We encourage players and encourage them to work together to achieve their goals, regardless of whether they are building or exploring, or simply adventuring.



"The Minecraft world can be dangerousbecause it's home to terrifying, genderless monsters who come out at night.



"It could be essential for them to live.



"If people find this level of fantasy conflict upsetting, we would encourage them to play in Creative Mode, or to enable the Peaceful setting.



"Both of these options will prevent monsters from appearing all over the globe."



Facebook supports Turkey block



26 January 2015



Microsoft buys Minecraft for $2.5bn



Turkish officials 'lift Twitter ban'



3 April 2014


My Website: https://twitsoc.com/