In sad news (for Australian gamers) Left 4 Dead 2 has been rejected classification by their OFLC - this is as good as a ban by Australian standards.
Once again - like the case of GTA: San Andreas, among other rejected titles - the primary reason for the rejection is due to the Australians lacking an R18 rating for games.
The censors have cited the following reasons for the rejection:
- 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.
Fortunately for us, we have an R18 rating so Left 4 Dead 2 will be cleared for entry, while the Australians may have to wait for a censored release, or go without.
Source: Kotaku AU
Keep it locked on NZGamer.com
Update:
NZGamer.com contacted The Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC), "Left 4 Dead 2 has not been submitted for rating in NZ yet", stated an OFLC official.
Update 2:
Official comment from Electronic Arts NZ - "Left 4 Dead 2 is presently being reviewed by the NZ Office of Film & Literature Classification. As NZ has a R18 classification, we are confident that an uncensored version of Left 4 Dead 2 will be available to NZ consumers but obviously the final decision is in the hands of the OFLC."
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COMMENTS (37)
Hopefully we don't get a censored version ala GTA 4. I guess a lot of people will buy it from steam, so hopefully we can get around any censorship that way.
Australia really do need to sort their sh*t out.
Australia really do need to sort their sh*t out.
Australia. Land of the criminals. As in the censors.
Hopefully this doesn't affect distribution here.
Hopefully this doesn't affect distribution here.
It's rather weird that they don't have an R18 classification in Australia (for video games)?! Wow?! You're old enough to go to war and kill people (have to be over 17 in Aus to enter the military). Actually shoot real living people stone cold dead. But smack an "infected" up side of the head in a virtual world, resulting in a shower of virtual blood, while sitting on ya couch at home, not harming any real person? NO!! Not allowed! Denied! What am I missing here? I don't get it?!
Hope it's not a case of GTAIV, where NZ gets the censored aussie version.
18 September 2009, 11:40 AM
Reply to guido
It's rather weird that they don't have an R18 classification in Australia (for video games)?! Wow?! You're old enough to go to war and kill people (have to be over 17 in Aus to enter the military). Actually shoot real living people stone cold dead. But smack an "infected" up side of the head in a virtual world, resulting in a shower of virtual blood, while sitting on ya couch at home, not harming any real person? NO!! Not allowed! Denied! What am I missing here? I don't get it?!
Yeah, life is funny like that.
It's rather weird that they don't have an R18 classification in Australia (for video games)?! Wow?! You're old enough to go to war and kill people (have to be over 17 in Aus to enter the military). Actually shoot real living people stone cold dead. But smack an "infected" up side of the head in a virtual world, resulting in a shower of virtual blood, while sitting on ya couch at home, not harming any real person? NO!! Not allowed! Denied! What am I missing here? I don't get it?!
Don't think its coming to the PS3 mate. Bummer, I know. But that fat guy hates the black beauty.
LOLOLOLOL.
Valve games on ps3!
What next? XD
(yes i know orange box was there, but that was a sh*t port)
Valve games on ps3!
What next? XD
(yes i know orange box was there, but that was a sh*t port)
...Enjoying Left4Dead 2 elsewhere.
18 September 2009, 12:12 PM
Reply to Gazza22
Don't think its coming to the PS3 mate. Bummer, I know. But that fat guy hates the black beauty.
Yeah I hate Gabe Newell, out of all the developing frontmen he is by far the biggest douche (literally).
Don't think its coming to the PS3 mate. Bummer, I know. But that fat guy hates the black beauty.
Lol, good one. Hopefully it isnt banned here too :(
Yeah i heard this, straight after i got invited to about 5 steam groups protesting the idea. for PC gamers its not a huge deal, you can still DL it off steam for the same price, but you wont have the disk for it.
I've signed the petition to try and get it released, although its pretty futile imo.
if you would like to see L4D2 released for retail purchase in Australia and NZ along with hundreds of gamers, feel free to sign here:
http://www.petitiononline.com/l4d2inoz/petition.html
I've signed the petition to try and get it released, although its pretty futile imo.
if you would like to see L4D2 released for retail purchase in Australia and NZ along with hundreds of gamers, feel free to sign here:
http://www.petitiononline.com/l4d2inoz/petition.html
lol at the aussies, soon all games will be banned in aus
We just wont get it because almost all game get imported through Oz. It's now a sad day for me :(
18 September 2009, 07:45 PM
Reply to Sir Thrustsalot
We just wont get it because almost all game get imported through Oz. It's now a sad day for me :(
If they don't get it at all, I am sure they will still release it here. It would be stupid not to.
We just wont get it because almost all game get imported through Oz. It's now a sad day for me :(
Depending on which game store you go to may depend on whether you can get an imported version or not. GameStation was quite happy to import Punch-Out!! for the Wii because it isn't released down here.
18 September 2009, 08:35 PM
Reply to Byskyre
If they don't get it at all, I am sure they will still release it here. It would be stupid not to.
*facepalm* have any of you heard of a little thing called area codes? The one that Aus comes over is PAL. and guess what, we fit under that tooIf they don't get it at all, I am sure they will still release it here. It would be stupid not to.
The states is Region 1. we aint getting that copy
19 September 2009, 01:05 AM
Reply to ChatterboxZombie
*facepalm* have any of you heard of a little thing called area codes? The one that Aus comes over is PAL. and guess what, we fit under that too
The states is Region 1. we aint getting that copy
We're likely to get the UK version as they use PAL as well, region locking only applies to movies and NTSC locked games.*facepalm* have any of you heard of a little thing called area codes? The one that Aus comes over is PAL. and guess what, we fit under that too
The states is Region 1. we aint getting that copy
The option to import an American copy will still open if they don't region lock L4D2.
19 September 2009, 10:36 AM
Reply to Munkah
We're likely to get the UK version as they use PAL as well, region locking only applies to movies and NTSC locked games.
The option to import an American copy will still open if they don't region lock L4D2.
You say that but when push comes to shove, we'll just have to see wether or not the system wants to import and organize a whole lotta sh*t for the gaming community, which isnt the most popular in the eyes of others.We're likely to get the UK version as they use PAL as well, region locking only applies to movies and NTSC locked games.
The option to import an American copy will still open if they don't region lock L4D2.
hope you're right lol
Hope this crap classification system doesnt come here to Aotearoa!
Yes theres more than just ONE black person in this left 4 dead
Indeed. On a side note, new comments system! Just new looks?
24 September 2009, 04:16 PM
Reply to Oliver
Indeed. On a side note, new comments system! Just new looks?
Yeah, a bit of new polish, more on the way ;-)
Indeed. On a side note, new comments system! Just new looks?
Nope its available there. Can get it at EB games in auz
Left 4 Dead
Platform: Xbox 360
Category: Shooter
Rating: MA15+
In stores: Out Now
Left 4 Dead
Platform: Xbox 360
Category: Shooter
Rating: MA15+
In stores: Out Now
Oooh, I'm liking the new commenting design!
Well, at least NZ will probably get it. But seriously, isn't this like the 3rd or 4th game this year Aussie has banned? It's getting a bit much.
Well, at least NZ will probably get it. But seriously, isn't this like the 3rd or 4th game this year Aussie has banned? It's getting a bit much.
Looks like they're appealing the decision...
http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/102/1028272p1.html
Good luck to them but the thing that needs to happen is the inclusion of an R18 classification for video games!?! Incredible that they don't have one!? Adults aren't allowed to play games made for adults?! But take the edge off the violence a tad and it's OK for teenagers?! WTF?!
http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/102/1028272p1.html
Good luck to them but the thing that needs to happen is the inclusion of an R18 classification for video games!?! Incredible that they don't have one!? Adults aren't allowed to play games made for adults?! But take the edge off the violence a tad and it's OK for teenagers?! WTF?!
25 September 2009, 09:20 AM
Reply to guido
Looks like they're appealing the decision...
http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/102/1028272p1.html
Good luck to them but the thing that needs to happen is the inclusion of an R18 classification for video games!?! Incredible that they don't have one!? Adults aren't allowed to play games made for adults?! But take the edge off the violence a tad and it's OK for teenagers?! WTF?!
That's because there seems to be a large percentage of people out there that see "video games" as just that, "games" played by kids. They can't get their heads around the fact that there are balanced and well rounded adults enjoying "games" and desiring more adult themed content entirely inappropriate for children.Looks like they're appealing the decision...
http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/102/1028272p1.html
Good luck to them but the thing that needs to happen is the inclusion of an R18 classification for video games!?! Incredible that they don't have one!? Adults aren't allowed to play games made for adults?! But take the edge off the violence a tad and it's OK for teenagers?! WTF?!
It won't change for Oz either unless they petition their government to change it.
It's wierd, Manhunt was _incredibly_ violent, but was for sale in Australia. It was banned in NZ so I smuggled a copy over when I was on holiday once. It wasn't a particularly great game, but it does show the inconsistancy in the rating systems of the 2 countries.
Look on the bright side, at least we wont have aussies screaming waltzing Matilda down their microphones at us =D
Ah whaddya know.
If we get the uncensored version, Munkah, I owe you a Coke.
If we get the uncensored version, Munkah, I owe you a Coke.
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