In a surprise move the Australian Classification Review Board has overturned the original decision to Refuse Classification for Aliens vs Predator and has given it an MA15+ rating.
Originally to be banned by the Aussies, there has been a complete about face on the title. Furthermore, Aussie gamers will be glad to know that no content has been removed from the game to bring it under the MA15+ threshold.
SEGA are obviously delighted with the news:
“It is with great pleasure that we announce the success of our appeal. We are particularly proud that the game will be released in its original entirety, with no content altered or removed whatsoever. This is a big win for Australian gamers. We applaud the Classification Review Board on making a decision that clearly considers the context of the game, and is in line with the modern expectations of reasonable Australians”, Darren Macbeth, Managing Director, SEGA Australia
The furore over Australia's outdated and draconian classification has been building in recent months, with the controversial stripping of Left For Dead 2's content. Perhaps this successful appeal by SEGA could be the start of progressive change or much needed reform of the Australian classification system, which only faces opposition from one lone state attorney general.
Keep it Locked to NZGamer.com where we will have more news on Aliens v Predator as it becomes available.
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28COMMENTS (15)
How do you go from banned to MA15+? That's just weird.
But yeah I take this as a good sign Oz will gets it's rating system sorted.
But yeah I take this as a good sign Oz will gets it's rating system sorted.
21 December 2009, 03:43 PM
Reply to nimrod76
How do you go from banned to MA15+? That's just weird.
But yeah I take this as a good sign Oz will gets it's rating system sorted.
Agreed!? Very strange but good! There's some sort of survey out there now regarding the Aus gaming ban hammer and the instatement of an R18 rating for videogames. I'd submit it for sure as their stupid classification system can sometimes have a flow on effect to NZ gamers but I think it's only open to Aus residents?! Hope they get it sorted in the New Year by recognising that there are gamers out there over 18 that should have the right to choose to play games that are after all available to over 18 gamers elsewhere around the world?!
How do you go from banned to MA15+? That's just weird.
But yeah I take this as a good sign Oz will gets it's rating system sorted.
21 December 2009, 03:43 PM
Reply to nimrod76
How do you go from banned to MA15+? That's just weird.
But yeah I take this as a good sign Oz will gets it's rating system sorted.
I suspect the Aussie rating board is just sick of the archaic law and saying something along the lines of "bugger it, slap an M15 rating on this to shut the people up"
How do you go from banned to MA15+? That's just weird.
But yeah I take this as a good sign Oz will gets it's rating system sorted.
Kind of weird cause banning is pretty harsh, so it just goes to show that banning in many cases is probably unnecessary.
21 December 2009, 03:56 PM
Reply to Munkah
I suspect the Aussie rating board is just sick of the archaic law and saying something along the lines of "bugger it, slap an M15 rating on this to shut the people up"
Yeah and now you get the weird situation where an ultra violent game like this is available to younger kids in Australia than pretty much anywhere else in the world lol surely that wasn't the intent of their somewhat draconian law?? FAIL :-D
I suspect the Aussie rating board is just sick of the archaic law and saying something along the lines of "bugger it, slap an M15 rating on this to shut the people up"
21 December 2009, 04:51 PM
Reply to guido
Yeah and now you get the weird situation where an ultra violent game like this is available to younger kids in Australia than pretty much anywhere else in the world lol surely that wasn't the intent of their somewhat draconian law?? FAIL :-D
It is rated M15 so it's not like they're opening the flood gates for people to buy their 7 year young kid an ultra violent game.
Yeah and now you get the weird situation where an ultra violent game like this is available to younger kids in Australia than pretty much anywhere else in the world lol surely that wasn't the intent of their somewhat draconian law?? FAIL :-D
This is a bit weird. I read it in the weekend and was amused =)
Lucky Aussies. This may be a start to the Aussies finally changing their outdated game rating system.
I don't get why there was such a huge outcry over this game of all games. Sounds sh*t to be honest.
21 December 2009, 03:43 PM
Reply to nimrod76
How do you go from banned to MA15+? That's just weird.
But yeah I take this as a good sign Oz will gets it's rating system sorted.
It wasn't banned, it was just refused classification. Sure, that means it was effectively banned, but that doesn't mean it was considered objectionable and damaging to the public good.
How do you go from banned to MA15+? That's just weird.
But yeah I take this as a good sign Oz will gets it's rating system sorted.
Are they saying that aussie 15yo are as mature as 18 yo everywhere else? Or (more likely) that they nver reach a level of maturity higher than an average 15 year old, so why bother having a higher rating than that?
23 December 2009, 08:36 AM
Reply to hudiscapidicus
Are they saying that aussie 15yo are as mature as 18 yo everywhere else? Or (more likely) that they nver reach a level of maturity higher than an average 15 year old, so why bother having a higher rating than that?
lol
Are they saying that aussie 15yo are as mature as 18 yo everywhere else? Or (more likely) that they nver reach a level of maturity higher than an average 15 year old, so why bother having a higher rating than that?
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