+Frank B. Subscriber² Posted September 18, 2009 Subscriber² Share Posted September 18, 2009 While the Australian government dawdles on changes to the country's classification guidelines, games continue to be "refused classification" on the grounds they exceed the maximum rating of MA15+. The latest game on the chopping block? Left 4 Dead 2. Yup, Valve's Zombie shooter has been refused classification, which means it can't be made commercially available in the country. Not quite the same as a banning, but it has the same effect. We've contacted Valve for comment, and will update when/if we hear back. Previous games to have suffered this fate usually receive an MA15+ rating later down the line after edits have been made to the offending content. UPDATE - Here's why it was "refused classification": The game contains violence that is high in impact and is therefore unsuitable for persons aged under 18 to play. It notes that this violence is "inflicted upon ?the Infected' who are living humans infected with a rabies-like virus that causes them to act violently." The report singles out the use of melee weapons as those that "inflict the most damage" and cause "copious amounts of blood spray and splatter (sic), decapitations and limb dismemberment? or even cause intestines to spill from the wounds." In conclusion, the Board finds that the "interactive nature of the game increases the overall impact of the frequent and intense depictions of violence. This coupled with the graphic depictions of blood and gore combine to create a playing impact which is high." Interestingly, the report also reveals that it wasn't a unanimous decision and that "a minority of the Board is of the opinion that the violence is strong in playing impact and therefore warrants an MA15+ classification" instead. However, the majority voted to refuse classification. "It notes that this violence is "inflicted upon ?the Infected' who are living humans infected with a rabies-like virus that causes them to act violently". Remember, kids, these are the people refusing the game classification. People who think zombies with limbs missing and their guts hanging out are "living humans". News source: Kotaku Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowl Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 No. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Decryptor Veteran Posted September 18, 2009 Veteran Share Posted September 18, 2009 Speaking of the classifications, every time something like this comes up people blame the government, but it isn't their fault (we changed government last year or so) The classification system is setup in such a way that games are rated by the OFLC, and the attorney generals decide what systems get what rating schemes, and they need a unanimous agreement to change the scheme. And there lies the problem, one of the attorney general's believes that games are only for children, and that adults don't play games, and refuses to allow an R18+ rating for games (while we have one for movies, books, etc.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueMonolith Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 We need to declare South Australia no longer a state so we can get some stuff done in this country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted September 18, 2009 Subscriber² Share Posted September 18, 2009 I don't know where it's worse to live as a Gamer, Germany or Australia :laugh: Probably Australia as you guys have the ridiculous prices to top it off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t0mbi Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 are you ****ing kidding me? This is ****ing bull****!! I cannot see how much different from the original the sequel is... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berserk87 Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 sucks to be you guys. if i have steam will steam just not allow you to buy it based on your region? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy0 Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 I really would not want to be a gamer living in Australia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minkcar Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 owned! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furyshinobi Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Haven't played the original L4D so I can't really comment on the game that much. Other than that it's bullsh*t that we can't have games R18+ like books, films, etc... IMO not just the OFLC think games are for children but also parents are to blame. I've seen parents around bought MA15+ games for their 8 yr old kids like GTA4.... If we have an R18+ rating parents will be like 'Ohhhh but games are for children only' or be like 'Why is my kid is so violent... it's because of games...' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.KICK Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 I don't know where it's worse to live as a Gamer, Germany or Australia :laugh:Probably Australia as you guys have the ridiculous prices to top it off. Both are just as bad imo, if a game does eventually get released in Germany its more than likely been censored! This is a shame for the Aussies though but I am sure you guys will import or whatever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Decryptor Veteran Posted September 18, 2009 Veteran Share Posted September 18, 2009 Importing won't work as it's still tied to Steam. Of course, if Vave do change or censor the content for Australians, there will be an un-censoring patch soon enough (like there is for German TF2) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ci7 Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 wow that sucks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.KICK Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Importing won't work as it's still tied to Steam.Of course, if Vave do change or censor the content for Australians, there will be an un-censoring patch soon enough (like there is for German TF2) Ah damn, forgot about Steam. No way you could get someone to gift it to you and use a proxy to play it to bypass the Australian ban? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ichi Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 The game contains violence that is high in impact and is therefore unsuitable for persons aged under 18 to play. Sounds like fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Sheldon Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 I doubt they're missing much is the first one was anything to go by Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xerxes Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Hardly surprised, what was surprising was that the original Left 4 Dead was allowed in the country. Mark my words, Australia will never ever get an R18+ classification for games, ever. To be honest if it bothers you that much, your better off either leaving the country or import the games that were banned (at your own risk) otherwise just deal with it :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrCheese Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 And there lies the problem, one of the attorney general's believes that games are only for children, and that adults don't play games, and refuses to allow an R18+ rating for games (while we have one for movies, books, etc.) Which is a load of rubbish. One guy shouldn't be able to deny over 18's the ability to enjoy entertainment in a "free" society. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witalit Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Aussies will have to wait for the 'unofficial' release online ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pupik Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 The game contains violence that is high in impact and is therefore unsuitable for persons aged under 18 to play. I don't quite understand it. There's no people over 18 in Australia :blink: ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueMonolith Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Im almost tempted to start a facebook group to delink South Australia as a state of Australia until they get rid of that AG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw1tch.. Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Sucks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Spork) Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 While the Australian government dawdles on changes to the country's classification guidelines, games continue to be "refused classification" on the grounds they exceed the maximum rating of MA15+. The latest game on the chopping block? Left 4 Dead 2.Yup, Valve's Zombie shooter has been refused classification, which means it can't be made commercially available in the country. Not quite the same as a banning, but it has the same effect. We've contacted Valve for comment, and will update when/if we hear back. Previous games to have suffered this fate usually receive an MA15+ rating later down the line after edits have been made to the offending content. UPDATE - Here's why it was "refused classification": "It notes that this violence is "inflicted upon ?the Infected' who are living humans infected with a rabies-like virus that causes them to act violently". Remember, kids, these are the people refusing the game classification. People who think zombies with limbs missing and their guts hanging out are "living humans". News source: Kotaku what a shocker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Udedenkz Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Australia and Censorship are like bread and butter anyway. Moving On. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t0mbi Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 I will just have to 'import it' wink wink.. from an online 'retailer'.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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