Can computer games like Call of Duty be sold in Germany, given the swastikas pictured throughout the game?

Question

I've been playing this game like crazy with my boys and loving it. (I'm kinda embarrassed to say!) Boy, these games sure can affect you - the other day in a parking lot, I got panicked and heard this thought run through my mind "Ohmygod, I'm out in the open [and could get shot!] When I caught a view of my neighbor's head through my window into his window, my first thought was, "There's my target!"

My kids laugh and say they have the sense to know it's just a game. When I played a single player mission, I was utterly stressed by the battle, was overcome when my comrades died next to me, and wondered how anyone can actually cope with real war. I ended up nauseous and had to return to multiplayer mode.

So, can Germans play this game legally and if so, how does it not fall under the rules forbidding Nazi imagery? In a similar vein, how do they teach the history without showing the images?

Yes, oddly The Finns ended up with swastikas painted all over their planes, out of admiration for the Indian concept. Truly the swastika is a symbol of Nazism for most of the west, however. The meaning of a symbol is as relevant, at least, as its origin.

My limited understanding is that Germans can't have items with swastikas, tho; hence, my question.

Answer 1

Most people are too ignorant and easily impressed to even know what a swaztika means. It is actually an ancient chinese symbol that means peace. Hitler used it in WW2 in a very mentally sick and evil way, placing it everywhere.
I'm sure games like that are sold world wide. Is it interesting that the violence of the media, games, etc. target EVERYONE, even children, permeating every facet of their minds and thoughts ? Even yours- an adult. No one sees a problem with it though. It's fun, right ? To kill and shoot other people ? Sad.