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Left 4 Dead 2 uncensored classified in Australia
Residents over the age of majority in the great nation of Australia are now permitted to legally purchase Left 4 Dead 2 in its unedited state on PC. Kotaku Australia confirmed with developer Valve that the new rating had been implemented. "We are making plans to deliver that version to those who have already purchased the game. We will announce more details on that soon," Valve's Doug Lombardi told Kotaku.
Modified Saints Row 4 granted MA15+ rating in Australia
Saints Row 4 was finally deemed acceptable to be sold in Australia today, having previously been denied classification twice by the territory's ratings board. The listing isn't currently on the Australian Classification Board's site, but publisher Deep Silver provided us with a statement confirming a reworked version of the game earned, in a curious twist, the MA15+ rating rather than the adult-only R18+ rating it failed to achieve previously. Deep Silver said developer Volition removed one 20-minute mission in the reworked version, and noted the 'Rectifier' anal probe weapon, which the ACB also raised concern over, will be available in a DLC pack "as originally intended." Deep Silver's statement reads: Deep Silver and [local distributor] AIE are pleased to report that the Australian Classification Board has now approved Saints Row IV for sale. They have granted the game a MA15+ rating. To achieve this rating one loyalty mission featuring the character Shaundi has been removed. This mission has been widely reported on and contains the use of alien narcotics to obtain certain superpowers. This mission represents approximately 20 minutes of gameplay out of the hours available to purchasers. The removal of this mission has no negative impact on the story or the superpowers and will not detract from the enjoyment players will get from their Saints Row IV experience. The rectifier weapon will be available as part of a DLC package as originally intended. Deep Silver respects this decision and thanks the Australian Classification Board for their assistance with this matter. Back in June, Volition's over-the-top sandbox adventure became the first game to be refused classification by the ACB following the long-lobbied-for introduction of the R18+ rating. Deep Silver requested the ACB re-review the decision, which the rating board did last week when it once again denied the game classification. Today's news means the saga is finally at an end, and the game can and will be sold in the Australian territory; Deep Silver confirmed to Joystiq the Australian release date remains August 22. Elsewhere, The Xbox 360, PS3, and PC game comes to North America on August 20, and Europe on August 23.
Saints Row 4 denied Australian classification in re-review
The Australian Classification Board reaffirmed the ban on Saints Row 4, a three-person panel unanimously refusing the game classification in its re-review of the original decision. Drugs were again the cause of consternation for the ACB, who said Volition's over-the-top sandbox game couldn't attain the recently introduced R18+ rating and as such be sold in the country because "drug use related to incentives and rewards is not permitted." Saints Row 4 is expected to launch in Australia on August 23, the Steam page listing a "Low Violence" version; publisher Deep Silver told us in June it had plans to submit a reworked version of the game for the territory. The decision passed today, the ACB clarified, is on the "unedited" version of the game. We've reached out to Deep Silver for comment. On January 1, Australia passed the much-lobbied-for law permitting games for audiences over the age of 15 to be bought in the country, these games carrying a R18+ rating. Many games have since earned the rating, including Ninja Gaiden 3 and Dead Island: Riptide, but in June Saints Row 4 became the first game to be refused classification since the law's introduction. It was soon followed by XBLA hit State of Decay, although unlike Saints Row 4 that game has since been rated R18+.
Saints Row 4 up for Australian classification re-review next week
Saints Row 4's down under scrutiny will occur again next week, as the over-the-top sandbox crime game attempts a second run by the Australian Classification Board. The ACB banned the game last month, raising issues over its depiction of drug use and an "alien anal probe." Publisher Deep Silver previously said it was planning to re-submit a re-worked version of the game - apparently a "low violence" one going by Steam Australia. That re-review is now confirmed and dated for this time next week on July 29, and hopefully it's a decision that leaves both parties satisfied. Saints Row 4 was the first to be banned in the country after the government passed the law permitting R18+ games for adult audiences. The second game, banned a day after Saints Row 4, was State of Decay. Thankfully, Undead Labs' own reworked version came through its re-review earlier this month, and the developer expects to bring the XBLA game Australia's way on Friday, July 26.
State of Decay refused Aussie classification, Saints Row 4 ban detailed
Runaway (and "Run away!") hit State of Decay has been refused classification in Australia. And here you thought these stories were done. "We've run afoul of certain prohibitions regarding the depiction of drug use," writes Undead Labs' founder Jeff Strain on the game's forum. "We're working with [publisher] Microsoft to come up with options, including changing names of certain medications in the game to comply with ratings requirements. Whatever our path forward, it's going to take a bit." Coincidentally, the apocalyptic world of Fallout 3 ran into the same drug-naming issue with the Australians back in 2008. After some editing, the game was suitable for distribution. "Microsoft is currently evaluating the options with regards to the title's classification," a spokesperson for the publisher told Joystiq. "The Australian Classification system plays an important role in ensuring that Australians can only access age-appropriate games and content." Strain acknowledged as much in his post, saying, "I know this is frustrating – believe me, we're frustrated too – but each country has the right to set its own rules about content, and it's our responsibility to comply with them. Rest assured we'll do everything we can to find a way to get the game into your hands."
Saints Row 4 refused classification in Australia, Volition 'reworking' game for territory
The Australian Classification Board made Saints Row 4 the first game to be refused classification in the country since the introduction of the R18+ rating at the start of the year. In a statement released this morning, the ACB said it classified the game "RC (Refused Classification)" in accordance with the new guidelines. Publisher Deep Silver told us developer Volition is reworking the game's content for the territory. "In the Board's opinion, Saints Row IV, includes interactive, visual depictions of implied sexual violence which are not justified by context," reads the ACB's statement. "In addition, the game includes elements of illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards. Such depictions are prohibited by the computer games guidelines." Following the news, Deep Silver provided Joystiq with the following statement. "Deep Silver can confirm that Saints Row IV was denied an age classification in Australia. Volition, the developer, are reworking some of the code to create a version of the game for this territory by removing the content which could cause offence without reducing the outlandish gameplay that Saints Row fans know and love. Saints Row IV has been awarded PEGI 18 and ESRB M ratings where fans can enjoy their time in Steelport as originally intended." After many years of pressure due to a number of high-profile games being banned, the Australian government finally passed the law last year allowing games intended for those over the age of 15 to be bought in the country, and that law came into effect this year on January 1. In today's statement, the ACB noted it's classified 17 games under the R18+ rating so far, including Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, and Dead Island: Riptide. Saints Row 4 is set to arrive in North America on August 20, and Europe on August 23.
Valve exploring Left 4 Dead 2 with R18+ rating for Australia
Valve is looking into its options for bringing the unedited version of Left 4 Dead 2 to Australia. Gamespot took note of a post on the Steam forums where Valve's Chet Faliszek stated the company is exploring the brave new world of R18+ ratings for video games in the region."No need to flood us with emails," wrote Faliszek. "We will have more information on this when we understand the issues fully and how we are moving forward but don't worry any cost associated with it doesn't worry us, this is something we want to do."Left 4 Dead 2 was denied classification twice in its unedited form for Australia. The game was eventually classified in the region without zombie decapitation and limb dismemberment – a skillset that Australians would have learned is also helpful in dealing with necromorphs.
Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition seeking Australian classification
Warner Bros. will submit Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition for classification in Australia. GameSpot reports the fighter will seek a rating under the country's new R18+ classification for games. Mortal Kombat was refused classification in the region when it launched two years ago and also lost a subsequent appeal.Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge will be Australia's first game classified as R18+. Australia finally relaxed its censorship laws last year to allow games intended for those over the age of 15 to be sold in the country.
Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge first R18+ game in Australia
Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, Team Ninja's second and sharper stab at last year's Ryu Hayabusa outing, is to be Australia's first game classified as R18+.Australia's harsh video game restrictions have been criticized for years. The country passed a bill in June allowing the sale of video games targeted at players 15 years of age and older. As of January 1, 2013, these new laws allow for the sale of games like Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, making it the first adult video game to launch in Australia.
Australia's R18+ guidelines published, industry 'concerned'
The Australian government today published its new guidelines for the classification of computer games, but those guidelines were met with concern by the country's games industry. The R18+ classification for video games comes into effect on January 1 2013, but Australia's Interactive Games & Entertainment Association responded to today's guidelines with only a "reserved and qualified welcome."The IGEA's concern centers on a couple of the guidelines' assertions. Firstly, the guidelines state that similarly themed content is more impactful in video games than in film, and potentially more harmful. Secondly, the guidelines attribute this greater impact to the medium's interactive nature. In short, the new classification will hold games to a higher standard than film, and may see some games that were banned without the R18 classification stay banned despite its effectuation.Shortly after the guidelines were announced, the IGEA released a statement. While that statement does express a welcome to the guidelines, the language is laced with skepticism and disappointment: "Given the opposition to the introduction of an R18+ category from a vocal yet unrepresentative section of the community, along with a largely conservative group of Attorneys-General, it is no surprise the new guidelines hold video games to a higher standard across a number of categories compared to film and what originally existed for video games. "As we have previously stated, we are concerned with the acknowledgment in the guidelines that interactivity has greater impact on players, despite the Federal Attorney-General's office publishing a literature review in September 2010 that found no evidence to support these claims. There will be continued debate about whether the interactivity of video games has a greater impact than other forms of media, and we will continue to refer to the lack of the evidence to support these claims."There are four months to go until the R18+ classification comes to Australian video games, and this isn't the last we'll hear about it before then. You can find the government's guidelines here, and read the IGEA's response to them here.
One territory can now purchase R18+ games in Australia
The Australian Capital Territory this morning became the first state or territory to pass the R18+ law in Australia. In June, after a decade of political strife, all Australian states and territories agreed to a bill ending the country's much criticized ban on adult games. ACT is now the first to make it law for adults to have access to games rated 18+.ACT is the smallest of Australia's self-governing internal territories, home to only 1.6% of the country's total population. Australian gamers should now hope the news results in a domino effect across the country. Despite the bill being passed by federal government, each state and territory must pass the law under its own jurisdiction.
Australia finally passes R18+ rating for games
After years of back and forth political posturing and bickering, Australians will finally have the ability to legally purchase games intended for those over 15 years of age. Australia's R18+ video game classification, equivalent to the ESRB's "M" rating in the States and PEGI 18 in Europe, has passed the federal parliament."These are important reforms over 10 years in the making," Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said, as reported by News.com.au. "The R18+ category will inform consumers, parents and retailers about which games are not suitable for minors to play and will prevent minors from purchasing unsuitable material."The classification law now puts games on equal footing as movies and other media forms.[Thanks, Yetimilk]
Australian government finally introduces R18+ bill, to go into effect next year
Australia's game rating woes are almost over. After years of debate and legal discussion about an R18+ rating for video games there (that would allow for the equivalent of the ESRB's M-rated games to be released without, you know, being illegal), the government has finally agreed to the new rating, aiming to enact it as early as next year. A bill setting up the extra rating was introduced to the Federal Parliament this week, and is expected to pass easily through the House and Senate.The bill would go into effect sooner, but the Federal Minister for Home Affairs says the government needs time to finish all of the paperwork on the new regulation, and to allow each state and territory to draft its own laws enforcing the rating. The bill wouldn't mandate a nationwide rating, but simply allow each territory to create its own.But that shouldn't be an issue, according to those in the know. Apparently, there's plenty of public support already. There were almost 60,000 submissions from the public responding to a discussion paper from 2010, and 98% of those were strongly in support of games rated R18+. As soon as the laws go into effect, retailers will be free to sell games as needed to anyone old enough to buy them.
R18+ bill goes before Australian parliament in February
A bill to allow an R18+ rating for games in Australia will be introduced to the parliament in February, Gamespot AU reports. Federal Minister for Home Affairs Jason Clare plans to introduce the bill during the first session in parliament this year, expected to commence February 7.Once introduced, the bill has to make its way through both houses, which have shown support for the bill. Even after all that, depending on the speed of the Classification Board, the R18+ rating could take some time to be in use. The point of the R18+ rating is to create an equivalent to the United States' ESRB "M" and Europe's "PEGI 18," allowing games deemed unsuitable for those under 15 years-of-age to be sold in the country. The current classifications regularly result in the outright banning of games in Australia, or massively toned down versions being produced for the continent.
Australian Classification Branch: R18+ not ready for 'another couple of years'
Though Australian minister for home affairs Brendan O'Connor told press that the R18+ games rating would be available for new titles "a couple of months" after its ratification by the nation's federal government, we might have to wait just a bit longer than that. According to Australian Classification Branch Manager of Applications David Emery, "it'll probably be another couple of years before we'll be able to accept an application for an R18 game." "It's got to go to Parliament, then there's changes that have to be made subsequent to that," Emery explained -- changes that also need to be applied to the classification systems of each state and territory, as well. Try not to get too discouraged, Australian gamers: At least your children will be able to buy Resident Evil 11. Oh, wait, they'll need to be adults, first. Okay, Resident Evil 19.
Australia finally getting its R18+ rating
Australia is finally getting an R18+ classification for video games, meaning that games deemed unacceptable for minors under 15 can be sold in the country. Minister for Justice Brendan O'Connor announced today that the New South Wales Attorney-General, who was the only censorship minister to abstain from last month's vote, has given his "in-principle support" for the new rating. "I am delighted that NSW has decided to support what is not just a practical public policy, but a very popular policy," said O'Connor. "Once introduced, the new classification will also afford adults the opportunity to view material designed for adults." Draft guidelines presented at the prior meeting have since been amended, requiring approvals from some jurisdiction's cabinets. The government is moving forward to introduce the new classification, which it had previously hoped to have available by year's end. [Thanks, Shane.]
Australia to introduce R18+ rating in next few months (if all goes well)
Australia may finally have an R18+ classification for video games by year's end - if some last-minute politics don't derail proceedings. Gamespot reports that the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General have agreed to an adult rating, equivalent to the ESRB's "M" in the United States and "PEGI 18" of Europe, which would allow games deemed unsuitable for those 15 and younger to be sold in the region. The snag in the current proceedings is that New South Wales Attorney-General Greg Smith abstained from the vote (the other eight territories agreed to move forward with an R18+ classification), delaying the process. Changing the National Classification Code requires the unanimous agreement of the nine censorship ministers. Smith said he would have a decision soon. If all the Attorneys-General end up agreeing, Federal Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor can begin drafting the legislation necessary for an R18+ rating for games. We hope it works out, because the new Mortal Kombat (effectively banned in Australia) is pretty awesome.
Game developers bullish about Australian tax break bill
Game Developers Association of Australia CEO Tony Reed is, as you might imagine, a big fan of the $1.9 billion tax break for video game research and development that's making its way through the nation's government. Speaking to Gamespot, Reed explained, "No matter how big or small a studio is, this is the kind of thing that will encourage development. It is designed with our own independence, creativity, and innovation in mind." He added that his organization harbors a lofty goal: To "prepare Australia to become one of the top three territories in the world for game development within the next five years." The country has a ways to go before they can recover from the games industry's 50 percent reduction in workforce, but five years is an awfully long time in the tech world. And, it should go without saying, almost-two billion dollars is a lot of dollars.
Australia passes $1.9 billion tax break for games industry R&D
The Australian video game industry has suffered blow after blow over the past few years, having lost approximately half of its workforce and a number of its major development studios since 2008. Fortunately, Australian state officials have passed a bill which, when it goes into effect next month, will provide a $1.9 billion tax break for game developers to spend on research and development. It's wonderful that the country's leaders are doing something to help revive Australia's floundering game development scene -- though we're a bit surprised that certain government representatives didn't try to attach an amendment to the bill, saying that the money could only be used to develop games about hugging and manners. (Snark aside, that game actually sounds awesome. Please make that game.)
Australian gov releases R18+ guideline proposal
Australia's federal government has released a proposed draft of new guidelines to reform its video game classification system and introduce an R18+ rating. Meaning, the country's uncomfortably long struggle to introduce an adult-friendly classification for games may finally reach a conclusion. The R18+ rating would allow "virtually no restrictions on the treatment of themes," allow violence to a more liberal degree than the current MA 15+ cap and give the option for sexual activity to be "realistically simulated," according to the draft. Australia's Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor says the new rules would "bring Australia into line with comparable nations." The federal government and the attorneys-general (including those opposed to the new rating and the ones who feel the government isn't going far enough) will meet in July, when they are expected to reach a consensus to introduce the R18+ classification.
