p>Minecraft ban reports investigated by Microsoft By Kevin Rawlinson BBC News
/p>
p>11 March 2015
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p>Minecraft owner Microsoft is investigating reports the Turkish government is planning to ban the game, the BBC knows.
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p>According local media, a study conducted by the Turkish Family and Social Policies Ministry found that the game promoted violence.
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p>There were conflicting reports on what the government was planning to accomplish.
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p>Some said it would request the court to impose a ban on the game. Others suggested it would request Microsoft to make modifications.
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p>Haberturk newspaper reported that the ministry's report stated: "Although it can be seen as encouraging creativity among children by letting them build farms, houses, and bridges but mobs (hostile creatures) should not be killed for these structures to be secured. In essence the game is founded on violence."
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p>'Social isolation'
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p>According to the news report the newspaper, some children may be able to confuse Minecraft with the real world, and think that torturing animals will not cause pain.
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p>The report was based on the experiences of a nine-year-old, and suggested that playing Minecraft could cause "social isolation". https://notes.io/qdRQ5 </p>
p>Haberturk reported that the department's legal affairs division was instructed to take the first steps towards blocking Minecraft.
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p>However, according to Fatih Oke, a spokesman for the Turkish Embassy in Washington DC, a ban was "out of the possibility".
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p>Christian Science Monitor was told by Mr. Oke that there would be no ban.
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p>"The game is not banned and will not be banned.
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p>The Family and Social Policy Ministry does not have that type of authority to ban any product.
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p>"I believe that this is what has been reported in the Turkish media, but it is incorrect.
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p>"The ministry cannot work with complaints.
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p>"In this case, I was told that there were numerous complaints from parents regarding Minecraft's influence on children.
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p>"The ministry's mission is to increase awareness."
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p>The government would not be able to ban unilaterally the sport, but it would have to convince a court to do so.
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p>Although Turkey isn't well-known for its ban on gaming on computers, there have been some websites that have been shut down in recent times.
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p>In the past year, both YouTube? and Twitter were temporarily blocked. Facebook had to block certain websites that were deemed to be insulting to the Prophet Muhammad in January.
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p>'Creative freedom'
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p>A spokesperson for Mojang who makes Minecraft under the Microsoft umbrella after the latter purchased the game for $2.5bn (PS1.68bn) in September 2014, would not speak directly about the reports.
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p>He stated: "Minecraft is enjoyed by many players in a wide variety of ways.
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p>"Many appreciate the creative freedom that is offered by Minecraft and its tools, some are more interested by the possibility of exploring a landscape without boundaries and to embark on thrilling adventures with friends.
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p>"We encourage players and urge them to work together in order to achieve their goals, no matter whether they are building or exploring, or simply exploring.
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p>"The Minecraft world can be dangerousbecause it's home to terrifying, genderless monsters who are out at the night.
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p>"It may be necessary to defend yourself against them to ensure that you're able to survive.
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p>"If people find this level of fantasy conflict to be disturbing, we would encourage them to play in Creative Mode, or to enable the Peaceful setting.
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p>"Both of these options will keep monsters from appearing in the world."
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p>Facebook adheres to Turkey block
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p>26 January 2015
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p>Microsoft purchases Minecraft for $2.5bn
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p>Turkish officials lift the ban on Twitter'
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p>3 April 2014
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