It didn’t take long. Another video game has been banned by the Australian Classification Board. This time Left 4 Dead 2, the high-profile sequel to the 2008 first-person zombie shooter which was classified MA15+.
The ACB handed down a Refused Classification rating to the new game, citing high in impact violence making it unsuitable for persons aged under 18 to play.
“The game contains realistic, frenetic and unrelenting violence which is inflicted upon “the infected” who are living humans infected with a rabies-like virus that causes them to act violently” the board’s report reads.
Read the ACB report here, courtesy of News.com.au (via IGN).
“The player can choose from variety of weapons such as the pistols, shotguns, guns and sniper rifles. However, it is the use of the “malee” weapons such as the crowbar, axe, chainsaw and Samurai sword which inflict the most damage. These close in attacks cause copious amounts of blood spray and splatter, decapitations and limb dismemberment as well as locational damage where contact is made to the enemy which may reveal skeletal bits and gore. Projectile shots to infected humans can cause abdominal wounds which can reveal innards or even cause intestines to spill from the wounds.”
The ACB also states in the report the interactive nature of the game increases the overall impact of the frequent and intense depictions of violence.
The ban comes just days after Game Spot Australia revealed that progress on the planned public consultation on the introduction of an R18+ game classification is still delayed. Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor told GameSpot AU that it would be premature to give an indication about when an R18+ classification for computer games could be introduced.
According to IGN, EA Australia has issued the following statement about the Left 4 Dead 2 ban: “[We] are still working through the submission process with OFLC and want to explore all opportunities before making any comment.
A minority of the board recommended Left 4 Dead 2 be classified MA15+ with strong violence classification.
32 comments
Chad says:
Sep 17, 2009
I cannot put into words the sort of rage this fills me with.
Simon says:
Sep 18, 2009
“the interactive nature of the game increases the overall impact of the frequent and intense depictions of violence.”
A position which they have apparently come up with using ‘common sense’, despite the fact that there are studies showing that violence, when interactive in a game, actually has the opposite effect on the average person. Especially compared to violence in more passive media like film. Which, it should be noted, has not one but two higher ratings slots than video games enjoy. :\
Max T says:
Sep 18, 2009
Yet another ill-judged and unacceptable decision.
We DEMAND an R18+ rating NOW.
BTW, I WILL be downloading it via a torrent, these fools will NOT tell a 51 year-old what he can and cannot play.
Stuff ‘em!
alphamone says:
Sep 18, 2009
and gabe newall is also in australia at the moment.
this is going to cause a whole lot of angry gamers.
Odin Peterson says:
Sep 18, 2009
I second this commet
“We DEMAND an R18+ rating NOW.
BTW, I WILL be downloading it via a torrent, these fools will NOT tell a 51 year-old what he can and cannot play.”
well im 35 and feel that fuddy duddy telling me how to live my life and trying to impose their moral values on me is dispicible.
by the way, it is a well known and published fact that the majority of gamers are males between the ages of 15 and 35
“The average age of the UK gamer is 28, which might be higher than you thought! Strangely, 51% of the 36 to 50s play games, and that number is growing.”
I think people are fairly similar accross the board so this covers Aus as well – http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/05/entertainment_gaming_in_the_uk/html/3.stm
these people need to get a life and STOP trying to tell me how to live mine.
again we DEMAND an R18+ rating for games, it is ludicrous thst there isnt.
Jack Tar says:
Sep 18, 2009
Guessing if they change the reference from ‘infected’ to zombies (already dead fantasy ghouls. Nothing human at all about that) then the wowser gang have no leg to stand on.
Oh and of note, this wonderful website is now banned on our net at work. Apparently information about censorship is deemed to fall into the category of ‘undesirable content’.
Pfht. Figures. -_-
Pharaoh says:
Sep 18, 2009
This can only continue to get worse as graphics get more realistic.
Max T says:
Sep 18, 2009
We need to get rid of both Conroy and those wowser Xtians at ACMA.
Fermi says:
Sep 18, 2009
I can’t imagine L4D2 would be any worse than L4D violence-wise, but then again consistancy isn’t exactly the ACB’s strong point.
Let’s hope it passes the reveiw board with an MA15+
Chris says:
Sep 18, 2009
The future of video games in Australia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XJRx8GWbWA&hd=1. Or is this still too violent?
Glenn says:
Sep 19, 2009
Max T: We need to get rid of both Conroy and those wowser Xtians at ACMA.”
But Michael Atkinson is the tosser who refuses to introduce R18+ games into the country, not Conroy or ACMA. Get rid of him instead.
Daniel says:
Sep 20, 2009
However, it’s not about whether this game is appropriate or not for adults to play. That question does not come into consideration. The issue is that the game is considered inappropriate for persons under the age of 15, even with adult supervision, and therefore, there being no higher classification rating possible, the game has to be banned for everyone, because, “somebody needs to think of the children”.
That politicians can still feel free to ummm and aah about when and whether to introduce an R18+ rating for games seems to indicate that gamers are in fact, not angry enough and not protesting loudly enough about this contradiction. Gamers: you need to get yourselves organized, start a lobby group to hound Parliament House (if not already done) and generally take to the streets and the media and make your anger really loud and clear.
If you don’t get off your consoles, get out and fight the likes of the ACL then they will get you in the end.
(PS does anyone know what MA15+ actually stands for anyway? “Mature Adults over 15″? Doesn’t seem to make sense.)
Vanessa says:
Sep 21, 2009
“Mature Audiences over 15″
david says:
Sep 21, 2009
It’s about time developers and publishers took some responsibility for the crap they are producing. Games like like this are just cheap thrills and a complete waste of time! Why do humans beings love to waste there lives on crap that does absolutely nothing good for the any one. I say turn of your consoles and go get a LIFE!
Mike Zombie says:
Sep 21, 2009
David
Left 4 Dead 2 is one of the biggest games of the year and the previous title is arguably one of the best online games out there. It’s a quality game and is far cry from being a “cheap thrill”. Clearly you have idea about video games or the industry.
People like to play video games because they’re entertaining. As are films, books and music. Who are you to tell people they don’t have a life because they play video games?
I suppose by your logic, anyone who watches a movie or reads a book also needs to “go get a life”? Why are you on the Internet RIGHT NOW? Surely instead of trying to entertain yourself you should be taking your own advice and be doing some good for somebody? Your fallacious logic is laughable and you seem very angry. You seem to hold an unhealthy degree of bias and animosity towards video games in general. I think you should get with the times and accept the reality that video games are a legitimate entertainment medium for adults.
Bottom line: adults should have the right to select their own entertainment, not the government.
Steve says:
Sep 21, 2009
Please, for the sake of the internets, do not feed the trolls
david says:
Sep 22, 2009
MIke
I have worked in the games industry for years and I have developed both violent and non violent games. I am very aware of the entertainment value in games. So maybe I am being hypocritical but I am tired of contributing nothing other than porn for geeks with a hard ons for gratuitous violence. I want to see more of us developers making a difference and rather than just contributing rubbish to a world that has no moral direction. Oh an just to make it clear I DO NOT support censorship I support CARING for our the human condition and trying to use our talents to making creative more ART and less TRIPE!
AileenWuornos says:
Sep 22, 2009
And they wonder why piracy is such an ever growing problem.
Playing uncensored games is better. Fuck, I’m 21 in just under a month and somehow I don’t know what’s good for me and what’s not? Horse-fucking-shit.
How the hell am I meant to axe a hunter in the head now?
Ffffuuuuuuu
BTW Mr. David Troll big difference between violent video games and pornography just fyi.
Anonymous says:
Sep 22, 2009
Try harder, David. You’ll have to do better than the standard “I HAVE 11 PHDS SO I KNOW WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT” argument.
Daniel says:
Sep 23, 2009
david:
In late capitalism there unfortunately exists no such thing as “moral direction”. Thank God. We are in that unique historical phase where neither church, nor government, nor any authority has the right to tell us what to do or how to think. Ideally. Barring stupid MA15+ ratings on computer games.
What does still exist is a degree of democracy, as in the sense of proportional representation and elected representatives actually representing their electors, as opposed to representing any number of lobby groups such as the Australian Christian Lobby, which takes its cue from its own peculiar fundamentalist protestant interpretation of the writings of Jesus Christ and Paul.
The problem now is: Our elected are in thrall to these lobby groups, as can be seen by current government policy, especially when it concerns such issues as ratings and censorship. The moral vote is big bucks for all parties concerned whether or not it interests the other 95% of the population who never go to church, except maybe at Christmas and like to watch porn and/or play computer games.
But that doesn’t matter, because as long as Hillsong is in the Top 40 it must be good for Labor. Right?
david, you accuse the author of fallacious logic (big words) without giving any credence or evidence of such. Where is the fallacy in the author’s logic david? I don’t see any. In fact, he wasn’t even making an argument, he was just reporting facts.
Vanessa says:
Sep 23, 2009
David, if you are indeed a developer, I would welcome seeing some more diversity in game offerings. I started playing games during the NES era and have been quite bored with the majority of offering during the current generation of games.
Bring on some games that offer something else besides an improvement on graphic detail (whether ‘pretty’ like Square-Enix like, or increased detail in gore for FPS and Survival Horror).
As some examples of what I’m toting as different… Thief, Portal, Okami, Shadow of Memories/Destiny, Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy.
At the moment I’m hitting a bunch of same-same which is sad as I enjoy playing games.
AileenWuornos says:
Sep 23, 2009
Haha I don’t think David is coming back.
Nevan Ford says:
Sep 23, 2009
I have started a petition for the introduction of an R18+ classification for games in Australia, aswell as laws prohibiting minor’s from obtaining R18+ material from games retailers (no ID no game, works for films and literature).
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/ozgamers
Michael Atkinson is one man (his counter parts in other states disagree with him on this one also) but we are many. Its our right!
Tezz says:
Sep 24, 2009
it doesn’t matter if we are many. Unless Atkinson aggrees to a 18+ rating, nothing will happen.
Does Atkinson know the current age of gamers in australia is above 18? yes, yes he does. Does he care? no, no he doesnt.
petitions dont work, “we are many” speeches do not work. The only way for it to work is if stupid people don’t vote stupid people in to positions of power, but since stupid people will continue to vote stupid people into power, its a never ending cycle.
Atkinson has publically stated that he acknowledges that the average age of gamers in australia is over 18, he believes they still do not have the common sense to make appropriate age specific decisions for themselves.
for those of you who are TL:DR
basically you get what you vote for, south australians vote for a conservative clown, you get a giant assclown. cause and effect.
Steve says:
Sep 24, 2009
Fortunately, we do not live in a democracy. Unfortunately, however, our political class does not respect the rule of law or personal liberties. That petition will do shit -_- We need to boot out Labour, the Liberals and the Greens if we want any kind of change, this pricks will just stay the course
HTA says:
Sep 25, 2009
Well I have no desire at all to play this game, so I’m not all that fussed, but I was incredibly annoyed to learn that they are planning on “watering down” Diablo III for Australian audiences…
Even ordering it from overseas won’t work since the game is apparently going to know where it is activated and censor itself accordingly.
Insanity! DIII is not even a vaguely realistic-looking game, it just has a whole lot of monsters exploding…
Sense says:
Oct 6, 2009
“well im 35 and feel that fuddy duddy telling me how to live my life and trying to impose their moral values on me is dispicible.”
You are SO awesome!! GROW UP. Why don’t you go buy a gun and murder a few people to show how rebellious you are. Then leave the gun lying around next to your tv where a young child can get their hands on it. The law shouldn’t impact or restrict you in any way should it?
“In late capitalism there unfortunately exists no such thing as “moral direction”. Thank God.”
WRONG!!
And no, its not law being forced on you, its morals and it always is and has been. Law is there to protect morals. For one, murder is illegal to protect the morality that it is wrong to kill another human being.
I want the R18+ rating, but don’t give me this bullshit rebellious “they can’t tell me what to do” attitude. I’m 21 and I have more sense than you. Maybe you should spend less time shooting shit up.
“We need to boot out Labour, the Liberals and the Greens if we want any kind of change, this pricks will just stay the course”
Yep, the most important thing in the world that the governments have to deal with is video game ratings.
No wonder no-one pays any attention to our petitions. Show you are mature and someone might listen.
No game should be banned completely in my opinion, but you cannot deny that young children can get their hands on these games far too easily. These games cannot be as easily accessible as grabbing them off the front shelf at EB games. Sorry older gamers…but you should have more sense anyway.
PS: Daniel, MA15+ is Mature Audiences 15+
Langdon says:
Oct 18, 2009
Hence an 18+ rating so the little ones cannot get the game – unless of course their parent’s are not doing their duty. Which I am sorry to say is not the governments, tis only their duty to try and sort out the pieces. We live in a free democracy, the governments job is to ensure none of the failures go without the essentials – food, water, housing. NOTHING MORE, NOTHING LESS. Give non-modernage-literate parents a rating which says “shit no dont let your kid see this!!!!” and let us free thinking, free living adults make our own decisions about how we spend our time away from responsibilities…..(really I just want to say really REALLY loudly F***YOU!!!).
PS – the first game I played was Rogue :p
Coen says:
Oct 20, 2009
Sense:
You completley miss the point, you speak as though people complain about being forced to abide by the law, however the complain about these moral values by forced upon them.
i dont reckon says:
Nov 4, 2009
Just played the l4d2 demo. My god its crap with censorship, even the tables disappear when they break! I mean come on!
Cody says:
Nov 16, 2009
Well all i have to say is Damn its great to live in america…u guys should have secured ur right to free speech from england like we did
aaron arevalo says:
May 18, 2010
JESUS CHRIST cut the freakin umbilical cord people. all your doing is just making the kids wait just a little longer until they figure out there are terrible things that go on in the world SERIOUSLY you either let them expeiernce it now or you let them grow thinking that the world is such a great place but when in fact its NOT.