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Minecraft Ban Reports Investigated By Microsoft

Minecraft ban reports investigated by Microsoft By Kevin Rawlinson BBC News



11 March 2015



Microsoft, Minecraft's owner is investigating reports that Turkey is considering banning the game, according to BBC.



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



There were conflicting reports regarding the actions that the government was going to take.



Some said it would ask a court to ban the game, others that it would ask Microsoft to edit it.



Haberturk newspaper reports that the ministry's report states: "Although it can be seen as encouraging creativity among children by letting them construct houses, farmlands, bridges, mobs [hostile animals] must be killed to protect these structures. The game is based on violence.



'Social isolation'



According to the newspaper, some children might confuse Minecraft with the real world, and believe that torturing animals would not cause pain.



It stated that the report was based off the experience of a 9-year-old, and suggested that Minecraft could lead to "social isolate".



Haberturk reported the ministry's legal affairs department had been instructed to take the first steps towards banning Minecraft.



However, Fatih Oke a spokesperson for Washington DC's Turkish Embassy said that a ban was not possible.



Christian Science Monitor was informed by Mr Oke: "There will not be a ban.



"The game has not been banned and will not continue to be banned.
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The Family and Social Policy Ministry doesn't have the authority to ban any product.



"I understand that this is what has been said in the Turkish media, but it is incorrect.



"The ministry cannot work with complaints.



"In this case, I am told there were numerous complaints from parents about Minecraft and its influence on children.



"The ministry's purpose is to raise awareness."



The government cannot ban the game unilaterally, but it could convince a court.



Although Turkey isn't known for banning computer games it has taken down some websites in recent years.



Last year, both YouTube and Twitter were temporarily blocked. Facebook had to block certain pages that insulted the Prophet Muhammad in January.



'Creative freedom'



Mojang, which makes Minecraft for Microsoft, did not respond to the reports.



He said, "Minecraft has been enjoyed by many players in a variety of ways.



"Many enjoy the creative freedom that's presented by Minecraft and its tools, some are more interested by the opportunity to explore a landscape without boundaries and to go on exciting adventures with friends.



"We encourage all players to cooperate, regardless of whether they're building or exploring or adventuring.



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



"It might be necessary that you defend against them in order to survive.



"If people find this level or the conflict in fantasy disturbing, we encourage them either to play in Creative Mode or to enable the Peaceful Setting.



"Both of these options will prevent monsters from appearing in the world."



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3 April 2014.


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