This is ridiculous!

[_____V_____]

September 29, 2008


Australia is very careful about what they let their citizens play.:rolleyes:

You thought America was nervous about video game violence? Dark Sector, Shellshock 2: Blood Trails, and Fallout 3 were banned this year alone. Changes were made to Fallout 3 and Dark Sector and they were allowed to be released.

Well to top that list off this year, they have officially banned Silent Hill: Homecoming.

Australia's Classification Board decided because of the games "copious blood spray, decapitations, partially dismembered corpses, and numerous scenes of attacks, fights, torture, and death" it won't be released. They can resubmit the game for release early next year after changes are made to the violence, if they so choose.

Sometimes changing main components of a game like this will just ruin it. But the ACB will hear none about it anymore.

Now, the way they do it in Australia, is a games highest rating is MA15+, which means anyone 16 and older can purchase the the game. Movies and the like can be rated R18+. So the game seems to have to go through more restrictions than our games do, to be released. Seems like they should just make it a higher age rating and still let the game be released, or be more strict on who they sell it too.

So yeah, for now, no Silent Hill: Homecoming for the Aussies. What say, Cheebs & Manchestr?

[Vodstok]

Godamn cencorship. The games have ratings for a reason, and as long as they arent releasing any Rape fantasy games or child molester games, leave it the hell alone.

They made Fallout 3 get pared down before its release?

And we cant even blame one stupid party or the other for this, because half of congress on both sides has tried to get games banned or censored. Stupid old bastards.

[urgeok2]

NO ..


THIS - Is Rediculous :

[ManchestrMorgue]

Yeah, you have heard correctly.

In Australia, media (print, movies, video games, etc) are required to be classified by the OFLC before they can be distributed.

This is unlike your MPAA ratings, which are not mandatory.

The highest rating that a video game can receive is MA15+, which means that it is restricted for people below 15.

Anything that is deemed to not meet the classification guidelines of MA15+ when submitted is rated RC (Refused Classification). This effectively bans the game from sale/distribution in Australia. It also means that if you try to privately import it, it may be seized by customs, and you may be prosecuted.

Similarly, if you try to import an RC movie into Australia, it may be seized and you may be prosecuted.

There has been some recent (poorly publicised) talk about an R rating for video games, however there has been some political opposition that has blocked this from happening. Even if this came about, games could still be banned if they didn't meet the guidelines for R rating. However, at least these are a bit more liberal than MA15+.

Personally, I think our system of censorship stinks. And it is at its very worst for video games. It is as if there is no recognition that anyone over the age of 18 would play a video game.

People do risk importing games - for example GTAIV was censored here, buy many bought it from overseas uncensored. However there are risks in doing this as detailed above.

We really need a better system. We also need a less paternalistic government.

[Vodstok]

No kidding. I have to say, I find that level of censorship revolting. All it does is make politicians and other people who think everyone else's business is their own sleep better.


meanwhile, the people they are protecting from themselves from lose sleep wondering which freedom will get infringed upon next.

[Ferox13]

The games have ratings for a reason, and as long as they arent releasing any Rape fantasy games

Why would you draw the lines at 'rape fantasy' when games promoting murder like manhunt would presumely go uncensored*




*Playing the Devil's Advocate ard here :-)

[Vodstok]

Originally Posted by Ferox13

Why would you draw the lines at 'rape fantasy' when games promoting murder like manhunt would presumely go uncensored*




*Playing the Devil's Advocate ard here :-)

There is a big difference between providing a virtual experience and "promoting" ;)

And why do I draw a line between sexual violence and just plain violence?

partially, i think there is a fundamental difference between the two: killing is part of us as a species, we have to kill in order to survive and always have (I seriously doubt there were many vegan cave people who didnt die off, so dont go there :D), so there is a cathartic release for many of us when killing in a game.

Sexual violence isnt an inherent part of our species, or even our order (if you want to group us with apes). it happens and no doubt always has, but there isnt any evidence that sexual violence is an ingrained part of our very being; so if you are into the kind of thing you are a sick asshole.



However, a direct and sadly honest answer is this: I am an American, so statisticly, i was (and i really was...) raised with qquite a few taboos around sex, and virtually none around violence, save "Dont get caught".

[ManchestrMorgue]

Originally Posted by urgeok2

NO ..


THIS - Is Rediculous :

Can't argue about that.

:D

[Leprucky Cougar]

Originally Posted by urgeok2

NO ..


THIS - Is Rediculous :

What happened here?

[massacre man]

Originally Posted by urgeok2

NO ..


THIS - Is Rediculous :

Big whoop, so a little girl wears her pajamas outside.