Australia’s Classifications Board has dashed the hopes and dreams of yet another video game developer. Aliens vs. Predator has been refused classification in the country, meaning that it won’t go on sale.
Being the only developed country to not support an 18+ classification for video games, Australia will not allow any game in the country that they don’t deem playable by 15 year olds.
SEGA released the following statement:
SEGA Australia can today confirm that the initial submission of Aliens vs Predator has been Refused Classification by the Classification Operations Board of Australia. We will continue to investigate all options available to us, including the possibility of appeal.
With adult games not getting a chance in the country, many a developer edits their game to cater for this strictness, but when it comes to Aliens vs. Predator, this isn’t going to happen.
A spokesperson for the game’s developer, Rebellion, has made the following defiant statement:
Rebellion is disappointed that its upcoming title Aliens vs. Predator has been banned in Australia.
However, as we understand the law in that country the authorities had no choice as we agree strongly that our game is not suitable for game players who are not adults.
The content of AvP is based on some of the most innovative and iconic horror movies, and as such we wanted to create a title that was true to the source material. It is for adults, and it is bloody and frightening, that was our intent. We will not be releasing a sanitized or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices.
Alien vs. Predator will launch around the rest of the world (apart from maybe Germany) in February 2010 on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC.
i its a good thing all ps3 games are region free
sthe australians will be able to port the game
Something really needs to be done about classifications in Australia, They are just force me and many others to import the game supporting other countries economy’s and not our own.
I love what the spokesperson said “We will not be releasing a sanitized or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices.”
Everyone is against our fucking countries laws
the spokesmans guy is stupid for saying that adults in certtain countries cant make thier gaming choices.
Well they can’t in Australia.
“…where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices.”
I ROFL’d. Even though it’s text, you still get that burn feeling. A true slap in the face.
Isn’t Germany like Australia?
I read a lot of stories that are similar, kinda scares me for the future.. what if every government starts doing this crap?
Germany is slightly different – they actually have an 18+ rating…but choose to ban games. Australia’s system is gimped, since they don’t have an 18+ rating – so by default, anything that they don’t deem playable by 15 year olds is banned.
FFS Another good game gimped/banned for my country of Australia. I really do not like living in Australia sometimes in order to play video games like developers intending it to be played. Anyone who doesn’t know Who is the one that is the blocking the chance for Australia to have R18+ rating for video games is Michael “douchebag” Atkinson.
“We will not be releasing a sanitized or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices.”
Mmmm.. Its so stupid, its hardly even worth trying to figure our our Government any more.
No matter, I’ll just import.