Left 4 Dead 2 'Banned' in Australia, Refused Classification

Submitter: JeffJ - (http://kotaku.com)

Site Tags: left 4 dead 2 banned australia refused classification

Category: General/Off Topic

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.

To quote: 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.

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".

Posted 64 days ago

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By JeffJ on 9 weeks ago:

here is the actual documentation on it..

basically they banned the game because its @$%*ing awesome.

By tosketa on 9 weeks ago:

that sucks who lives in Australia... and the people who banned it are homo :p

By D3M0N2009 on 9 weeks ago:

Quote:

Originally Posted by tosketa

that sucks who lives in Australia... and the people who banned it are homo :p

I live in Australia and this is absolute bs, the only reason it is being banned is because we are the only country that doesn't have an R18 rating for games; what kind of crap is that I'm an adult I should be able to view whatever I want. I blame those parents who buy violent games for their kids, then we hear about how some little kid has gotten hold of his mom/dads car keys and has driven XX km/m and how he/she learnt to do this by playing GTA. :mad:

By Starlight on 9 weeks ago:

Aw that is terrible that they would do that, yet look at some of the tv shows and they allow that but now starting to ban games..somebody who is in charge down under has to get their head of of their butt and see the light..as if you are an adult you should be allowed to get it.

It is like they are starting to say what you can an cannot play for video games now.. :crazy:

By harris0nz on 9 weeks ago:

thats bloody unfair, i live in australia and i find this stupid, i voted for labour as i thought i had better rights, right now they blocking everything that people like. for instance cops are being idiots on the road giving me defect and crap for my car, i paid good money for what i do to my car and i dont speed. why do i have to get the same treatement as everybody else, stupid government i swear.

By D3M0N2009 on 9 weeks ago:

Here's a little something I found interesting:

http://www.classification.gov.au/www/cob/find.nsf/3ee9cf339ddee09eca2575ca000be1e3/20cc4e288299fb3dca25762d0023c219!OpenDocument

EPIC FAIL!, what is wrong with this government.

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Left 4 Dead 2 'Banned' in Australia, Refused Classification

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