Fallout 3 is no longer banned in Germany, reports IGN, an unusual development that could foreshadow some kind of re-release.
The role-playing game has been listed with the German government's Department for Media Harmful to Minors since 2009, effectively proscribing it from lawful sale in that country.
Ordinarily that listing lasts for 10 years, but Bethesda, said IGN, took extraordinary steps to have it overturned early and was successful earlier this month. The government agency responsible for the listing said it has been removed because "its content is no longer classified as harmful to minors from today's perspective."
Bethesda declined to comment on what the plans are for the 2008 video game, since succeeded by 2010's Fallout: New Vegas and last year's Fallout 4. Fallout 3 was one of the first backward-compatible games announced for Xbox One when the console introduced that feature, and was included free with Fallout 4 for that console.
Bethesda told IGN Germany that it will give details on why it sought the de-listing "in a couple of weeks."