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MadWorld passes Australia's OFLC with MA 15+ rating
Australia's governmental ratings board, the OFLC, has classified the unabashedly violent MadWorld with an "MA 15+" rating. Sega informed IGN that the game was not "edited or adjusted" for the land down under. Last week, the title received an "18" rating in Britain, and having now passed both the BBFC and the OFLC, it's expected that the United States' ESRB will hand the title a "Mature" sticker.It's certainly interesting that Australia let the game pass with an MA 15+, at least based on the footage and images we've seen. For better or worse, perhaps the region is loosening up its policies in lieu of implementing an R18+ rating for games.[Via IGN]
BBFC grants MadWorld '18' rating, no cuts made
Despite the Daily Mail's best attempts to whip up a fuss, the BBFC has granted MadWorld an "18" certificate in the UK. It is the eighth Wii game to receive the rating (see the full list after the jump), and was passed with -- yay! -- no cuts whatsoever. Sega is likely to face a bigger obstacle when it comes to getting the game rated elsewhere, and it seems to realize this. MadWorld won't even be released in Germany or Japan, while Australia's notoriously conservative OFLC may take some convincing.Elsewhere in MadWorld, uh, world, IGN has posted one of the first hands-on previews, including a full breakdown of the controls. The Nunchuk will be used to make protagonist Jack move and jump (with Z), the C button centers the camera behind Jack, punching people in the face is done with A, while the chainsaw attacks are on the B trigger. Holding A lets you pick people up, which is where you can perform special moves by waggling.%Gallery-22964%
MadWorld receives '18' rating from BBFC
The British Board of Film Classification has passed Sega's MadWorld with an "18" rating. The Wii title received the classification for containing "very strong, stylized, bloody violence." Sega has been working with both the BBFC and the United States' ESRB to avoid the respective regions' "kiss of death." The publisher contributed builds at various times for feedback on what needed to be changed to dodge being "unclassified" in the Britain and receiving an "AO" rating in the States.We're unaware if Sega has also been showing builds to Australia's conservative OFLC. If any region is going to "ban" MadWorld, it'll be the Aussies, due to the region's lack of an R18+ rating for games.
GTA: Chinatown Wars receives '18' rating from BBFC
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars has passed the British Board of Film Classification with an "18" rating, which is equivalent to the ESRB's "Mature" rating. According to Edge, the DS title -- the first ever to receive an 18 rating by the BBFC -- passed with "no cuts made."Apparently it was a very clear edict from Rockstar's Sam Houser to developers that the game receive an M rating and maintain the franchise's adult tone. The game has yet to receive ratings from the United States' ESRB or Australia's conservative OFLC.[Via Edge]
Chinatown Wars receives '18' rating in UK
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars has been granted an "18" certificate in Britain by the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification, and no, we don't understand that, either).Huge surprise, right? Well, no. We already know about the drug-dealing subgame, and any GTA game receiving a restrictive age rating is hardly news. But then Chinatown Wars is also the first DS title in the UK to receive such a classification, a landmark that is worth recording. Incidentally, no DS title has yet obtained an "Adults Only" rating from the ESRB (indeed, only six have been rated "M" -- C.O.R.E., theresia, Ultimate Mortal Kombat, Dementium, Touch the Dead, and Resident Evil: Deadly Silence); could Chinatown Wars be the first?Also of interest: the BBFC's listing for the game reveals that the title contains 168 minutes of in-game cut-scenes. Wow!%Gallery-35102%[Via MCV]
BBFC: Seriously, THQ is publishing 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand
Last week, Australia's Office of Film and Literature Classification breathed new life into a rumor that 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand, which many had believed to be a casualty in the Activision-Vivendi merger, had found a new publisher in THQ -- info made public when the OFLC stamped the game with an MA 15+ rating. A few days ago, the rumor seemed to become concrete -- the British Board of Film Classification has assigned Fiddy an "18" rating, also attributing the game to THQ. While it now seems like incontrovertible fact that Blood on the Sand is still quite alive and well, THQ recently told British gaming news site MCV that they could not comment on "the rumour" -- either a testament to THQ's bizarre hype-building practices, or to the unfathomable excellence of the resurrected game.
Manhunt 2 gets UK release date
Readers currently residing in the United Kingdom -- your wait is over. At long last, you'll be able to experience one of 2007's best selling, most critically acclaimed titles -- Rockstar's controversial thriller, Manhunt 2. After being turned down by the British Board of Film Classification for its "unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone," a reworked, SFEurope version of the game will be launched in the UK for the Wii, PS2 and PSP on October 31. We know, we can barely contain our excitement either.Sure, it may lack a few of the more grisly elements included in the inappropriate North American version, but if your hands are shaking with anticipation as you read this report -- as we're sure they are -- we imagine you'll be able to overlook a few omitted acts of power drill-related violence.
Manhunt 2's extra-scary, extra-late UK date
Rockstar has taken a long-form approach to scaring people with Manhunt 2. They've waited very quietly, very still, until everyone in the UK forgot that it was there, and then they JUMPED OUT AND ANNOUNCED A RELEASE DATE! "BOO! Manhunt 2 is coming out on October 31!"This version of Manhunt 2 is different from the one the US got, having been "heavily reworked" (as IGN describes it) in a desperate bid for BBFC approval. They got the right to release the game in December, but by then Halloween had already passed, and what's the point of releasing a horror game on any other date?%Gallery-3148%
So, what's on the Gears 2 bonus disc?
When the BBFC isn't busy keeping cool, violent games away from kids with totally square parents, they like to leak out the occasional news tidbit, just so all the game journalists think they're "hip." It's actually a little sad, but it's hard to argue with the benefits, like learning the content on the Gears of War 2 bonus disc that comes with the Limited Edition of the game.Now, because there are some of you who may want to go into the experience completely pure, we've put the list after the break. But the awesome rebels among you should waste no time in clicking below.
The BBFC seeks to classify online interaction
On Thursday, British government officials are proposing many of the regulations asked for in the Byron Review, which will also expand the roll of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). Much of this is old ground, as sniping has gone on back and forth for months between BBFC and PEGI supporters about which system is better.The part we're a little stuck on is where the Telegraph reports the new proposals seek to classify online interaction. The standards will be overseen by the new UK Council for Child Internet Safety, to be established later this year, and the online classification seeks to set a "single set of standards and good practice for managing the risks of online gaming." How anybody can look into the abyss of trying to classify online interaction and not see the darkness staring back at them astounds us.[Via GamePolitics]
BBFC defends against recent publisher claims
The British Board of Film Classification's director, David Cooke, defended the organization's cost and efficiency today following recent remarks by publishers. Gamespot reports Cooke claims that the BBFC has an average turnaround of eight days in rating games and that its classifications are already cheaper than the industry-backed PEGI system.Cooke goes on to repeat that the BBFC is fully capable of handling the extra workload required if the Byron Review regulations are implemented. He believes the games industry has nothing to fear from the BBFC's "more robust" and "fully independent" decisions.
EA: Byron regulations may delay games for UK
Electronic Arts' UK general manager, Keith Ramsdale, tells GI.biz that the proposed game rating alterations asked for in the Byron Review will delay game releases in the country. Ramsdale believes the changes are an "unnecessary layer of administration" to the process. The main change requested in the Byron Review is that any game above a 12+ certification would need to be reviewed by the BBFC; currently the organization only takes on games flagged to have sex, violence or criminal activity. Ramsdale asks that the government poll consumers on the matter. Meanwhile, publishers continue to back the continent-covering PEGI system. As it has stated before, the BBFC is financially compensated by publishers for its work, and so doesn't expect to encounter problems when hiring more staff to keep up with a greater influx of games. So, not only will the group hire more people to keep up with the work load, but the new rules would also be a cash boom for the organization.
Manhunt 2 in the UK: Rockstar knows nothing about it
A lengthy, to-and-fro legal battle between the BBFC and Rockstar prevented Manhunt 2 from being released in the UK, with the BBFC eventually giving up and granting the game an "18" certificate in March. Having won its right to lop limbs clean off be released in Britain, it was no surprise that the title appeared in Nintendo's latest European release schedule this morning.But wait, for there's another twist to this twistiest of sagas! A Rockstar spokesperson contacted Eurogamer earlier today to reveal that it "has no confirmed release date set for Manhunt 2 in Europe." Ho boy. If any Europeans out there are beginning to feel particularly indifferent about Manhunt 2 at this stage, we can't say we blame you.%Gallery-3148%
ESRB to curb early game leaks
Here are a few of the recent games that were announced via early ratings by the ESRB: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, The Last Guy and Earthbound for Wii. A change in the ESRB's submission form will likely plug up those leaks, according to a memo leaked to Next-Gen. When publishers submit their game for rating, they now have the option to choose a date when the title is eligible to be uploaded to the ESRB's website. If left blank, the game will be eligible for display 30 days after it has been rated. The ratings board hopes that publishers don't overuse the new option. Said the memo, "The ESRB system will not work for consumers if publishers arbitrarily select dates bearing no reasonable relationship to consumer interest in the product." Our sights now turn to Australia's OFLC, Germany's USK and Britains's BBFC for early game leaks.
BBFC rating confirms Alone in the Dark's spookiness
The British Board of Film Classification has posted details on the '15' rating pegged on Atari's upcoming survival-horror shriekfest, Alone in the Dark. The extended classification information on the BBFC website notes the game's "frequent use of strong language," but cuts it some some slack since, unlike Uwe Boll's ill-fated film adaptation, it "does not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury." The text reminds us that while there's "plenty of violence," it's all "mitigated by the fantasy context." Thank goodness! Aside from the aggressive use of "guns, posts, spades, flamethrowers and other items," the BBFC also warns that we'd best watch out for "moments of horror, with some of the supernatural beasts that attack the protagonist arriving in fairly unexpected - and shocking - fashion." So ... zombies wearing ponchos, then.%Gallery-14429%
BBFC defends against PEGI supporters
The British Board of Film Classification is playing defense after accusations it won't be able to keep up with the tide of video games in the future. The BBFC's reaction came after a hearing where industry figures argued the self-regulated PEGI ratings were the best system.Sue Clark, a representative for the BBFC, told GI.biz that the BBFC can cope with the work load and that the organization is entirely funded by the fees it charges to classify work. Therefore, the more work it needs to review, the more money comes in, and the more staff it can hire. She says the games industry doesn't know how the BBFC works, so they shouldn't talk. Whatever, let the BBFC stay, that way we get early warning about "implied child rape" and interstellar lesbianism in games.
BBFC briefly noted 'suicide' and 'implied child rape' in MGS4
While you won't find any mention of it in the current rating page, the eagle-eyed spies over at Eurogamer noticed an eye-opening description of "references to suicide and an implied child rape" in a summary of Metal Gear Solid 4 briefly posted on the BBFC site (this summary was likely the Extended Classification Information, which is not supposed to be posted more than 10 days before a game is released). Before you get excited, note that Kojima Productions' Ryan Payton told Kotaku that "there is no mention of rape in the game" and that the BBFC's confusion may have come from a mention of "child trauma."Regardless of the specifics behind the disturbing description, the BBFC still granted the game a relatively tame 15 rating for violence that "may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury during gameplay." The fact that it's possible to "progress stealthily through the game, avoiding violent confrontations where possible" seemed to weigh heavily on the decision. Hey, you can do that in the 18-rated Grand Theft Auto games too! Well, OK, you can't really advance that way, but you could avoid violence by driving a cab all day.
ELSPA comments on UK's Byron Review
After the Daily Mail's startlingly incompetent take on Dr. Tanya Byron's recently published review of games and internet media in the UK, we're more than happy to see less dubious discourse emanating from the Entertainment and Leisure Publishers Association. Speaking to MCV, ELSPA director general Paul Jackson cited several concerns with the report, chief among them being its recommendation of two, potentially confusing ratings systems."The way the proposals currently stand, there will be a BBFC standard on packaged goods – the number of which will presumably get smaller as gaming goes more online – and there will be the PEGI standard online when you're downloading," said Jackson. "We think it will be clearer if there was one standard." Jackson suggested that the report needed to be more "future-proof" and more considerate of the growing number of games being sold online. "It's incredibly important that we protect children and to do that we need to future-proof this process, but it's not quite there yet."Also not quite there yet is the director general's belief that the industry alone should foot the bill for a consumer ratings education campaign. "I want to make it completely clear that a public marketing programme has been key all along in the educational process," he said. "We'll be talking to the Government about who pays for what. We're very keen to play our part, but all of the stakeholders needs to step up to the plate."
Grand Theft Auto IV gets 18 certificate from BBFC
This bit of news is going to have an extra special meaning for all you Rockstar fans in Britain. After the whole debacle with the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) versus Manhunt 2, many of you may have worried about history repeating itself -- this time with the upcoming and equally controversial Grand Theft Auto IV. However, your worries should stop here for the BBFC has already passed Grand Theft Auto IV with an 18 certificate and with "no cuts made." This is excellent news for all those gamers in the UK looking forward to picking up GTAIV this coming April 29. As it stands, there shouldn't be any other snags barring the game from its expected release date. [Thanks enfo! Via MCV]
GTA IV cleared by BBFC, 'no cuts made'
The BBFC has launched its Grand Theft Auto IV rating page, clearing the game for release with an 18-rating for strong violence, very strong language, sex and drug references. "This work was passed with no cuts made," reads a bold-red statement on the page. The review board based its classification on nearly five and a half hours of gameplay footage and just about eight minutes of cut scenes. Additionally, the BBFC published an expanded review of the game, which was later removed, but not before Eurogamer captured the details of GTA IV's most naughty bits. Prostitutes return with a few upgrades, now offering "three different levels of service" all happily ending with la petite mort -- or your money back. Players can also keep it legal (and in their pants) by visiting lap dance clubs. "While the game contains sexualised dancing and the portrayal of sex, there is no sexualised nudity," concludes the BBFC in true British syntax.With the sex toned down, the ratings board declared 'violence' to be the game's "central theme" ('gritty immigrant drama' was just the runner-up, apparently). The review confirmed the inclusion of [SPOILER ALERT!] weapons, like machine guns, Molotov cocktails, a serrated knife and a rocket propelled grenade launcher -- oh, and a "stand up comedy routine" (not a weapon, or necessarily violent -- just foul-mouthed). "Injuries and death are shown with blood including blood projected onto nearby walls, windscreens and the camera lens. The character is able to attack and kill any other character in the game, including 'innocent' non player characters, although this carries a strong risk of being pursued by the police providing a negative consequence for such action." Negative? Have we been playing GTA wrong all along?Update: The BBFC will repost its expanded review on April 19, according to Eurogamer. "We have a policy of not putting up the Extended Classification Information for a work more than 10 days before the work is released. Once we realised that GTA IV was due for publication on 29 April we took the ECI down," explained the BBFC.
