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F.E.A.R. 2 Refused Classification in Australia
On Wednesday, the Australian Classification Board refused to classify the Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment-published shooter F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin.
The move essentially bans the sale of the game in the country.
The original game, released in 2005, earned an MA15+ in Australia for mature content including violence and language. The U.S. Entertainment Software Rating Board gave the original an "M" rating (age 17 and up).
F.E.A.R. 2 is developed by Monolith Productions.
The Classification Board did not publish the reasoning behind the decision, although F.E.A.R. 2 clearly follows the mature themes established by the first game.
The MA15+ rating is Australia's most restrictive rating for videogames. Games cannot be rated 17+ or 18+, so content meant for adults is sometimes refused completely.
The country recently refused a plan that would implement an 18+ rating.
Yeah this is becoming a red button issue amongst the conservatives still around in this country. It's the last bastion of control they exercise and will not give it up anytime soon.
Unfortunately the situation is not going to change as long as that old fuddy duddy *bites tounge* is still in office. OR he is given another portfolio in the SA government. Neither are going to happen soon.
So add yet another game to the pile of missed opportunities. It just gets to me that they can explore similar yet MORE graphic content in film but for some reason it can not be persued in games.
I remember my first run in with gaming censorship, the blood had to be turned green in Carmageddon. The explanation... Zombies.
For anyone whose interested, heres a link to an interview with Michael Aktinson, as he elaborates on his reasons why he believes Australia should not have an +18 rating.
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/video ... 00&story=8
Most politicians have an extremely basic understanding of what a video game actually is. Advertising and promotional materials from many companies over the years has unfortunately reinforced this view that games are for kids, and so the concept that video games should cover the same spectrum of age groups as other forms of entertainment probably seems unreasonable to many. In some ways the industry has painted itself into a corner over this, but as the gaming population is getting older perhaps attitudes will change with time.
LOL yet another game ill have to import from overseas... Censor all you want i dont care, its never stopped me playing the games i want to play an it never will...
Amen.
censorship is all it is what gives the government the right to tell ppl wut they can watch see or play when will the Aussies wake up in fact when will the world wake up ? Here Ill give everyone a hint the government has NO right none.
Refusing to implement a 17+/18+ rating level for games basically says to me that this rating's body/Austrialia's government, believes video games are only for "kids"
I feel for all the Aussie game players. I know Dark Sector is another game that was refused classification, and it's not that graphic, in fact the slow motion glaive dismemberment is very similar to Fallout 3's decapitations/dismemberment when you get a critical and killing hit, but the only beef the ratings board appeared to have with Fallout was drug names.
Correct me if I'm wrong, I seem to remember that Bethesda said Australia would get the same game North America and Europe would get (i.e. the offending content was changed in all versions).