Subject: Turkish Ministry to investigate Minecraft 'violence'

Turkey's government is looking into allegations that the popular computer game Minecraft is too violent, it's reported.

The game is classified as suitable for children aged seven and over in much of Europe, and for those older than 10 in the United States. But Turkey's family and social policies minister, Aysenur Islam, has ordered an investigation over suggestions that it promotes aggression, the Haberturk website reports. If it's considered too violent, then the government could seek a nationwide ban, the website says. The move was prompted by a journalist who told Mrs Islam that players get points for killing other characters - including women - and asked what her ministry would be doing about it. The Pan European Game Information group, which assigns ratings to computer games, says Minecraft contains "non-realistic-looking violence towards characters which, although human, are not very detailed".

A journalist at one Turkish gaming magazine says the ministry's concerns are misplaced. "I have never seen a kid grabbing a sword and attacking people because of Minecraft," Kaan Gezer says on the Leadergamer website. "Stories like this cause the video game industry in Turkey to stall or even deteriorate." Minecraft is extremely popular with gamers of all ages, registering its 100 millionth user in February 2014. It has also been used by teachers in some schools in the UK.