Euro game debate gathers steam

A two-day discussion in Dresden, Germany, about restricting and banning violent games has led to wider support for plans for a unified system across Europe, reports the Associated Press.

European Union justice and home affairs commissioner Franco Frattini told reporters that he, along with Germany's interior minister Wolfgang Schaeuble and justice minister Brigitte Zypries, had encouraged member states "to prevent, to ban violent video games."

Frattini, who also called for a ban on the horror game Rule of Rose, wants a unified ratings and restrictions system across the EU's 27 countries put in place. He said, "The protection of children cannot have borders."

He added that it was important to raise awareness about the sensitivity of the issue and increase and encourage measures to be taken in a practical way by police authorities, especially on age-checking issues.

Luxembourg's justice minister Luc Frieden joined the debate, calling for the EU to take action by saying, "Access to children should be cut off. We have to ban some games."

The proposal for a unified ratings system was backed by Germany, Britain, Greece, Finland, Spain, and France.