Update: Modified Left4Dead 2 Passes Classification In Australia

Less gory version for Aussies

by dkpatriarch

© 2009 David Hilton

As we reported last month Left4Dead 2 was banned in Australia.  Now the Classification Board has passed an altered version of the game into the highest rating category Australia has, the MA15+ category.

"infected living humans"

While this means the game is no longer banned, it still demonstrates the faulty ratings system Australia uses for games: some of the gore and violence is ‘reduced’ but certainly not all of it or even the violent weapon variety that includes axes, crowbars and chainsaws.

In other words, the game barely fits into a box that allows the board to say it passes the criteria for MA15+.

So why bother?

While the intact game will be classed into a restricted 18+ category overseas, as it should be, here it is changed just enough that it can be passed MA15+.  The need for a restricted adult 18+ rating in games has never been so obvious, and the system that makes changes to the rating system almost impossible means that games have little chance of being treated like all other media like film.

It's rated 18+ overseas

Australia’s content classification system can only be amended if unanimously accepted by all state and territory attorney-generals.

So what changes have been made to Left4Dead 2 to allow for the MA15+ classification?

1) The game no longer “contains depictions of decapitation, dismemberment, wound detail or piles of bodies lying about the environment.”

2) Dead bodies and blood splatter disappear as they touch the ground.

The problem is that the highest a game can be rated here is MA15+ and that means games with mature content are either forced into the MA15+ category when they should be under an adult-only rating, or they are banned outright.  Banned games then have to be changed by game-makers from their original intended version meant for adults before they can be sold in Australia because under 18s could have access.  Some games are never modified for Australia and so never reach our shores after being banned.

But which games are too violent and gory and which aren’t is a confusing mess.  Chainsaws and gore in Resident Evil 5 were okay, but now zombies are too ‘human-like’ in Left4Dead 2.

The truth is that parents often think that because a game has passed MA15+ that the game is okay for younger gamers.  An R18+ rating might make them more reluctant to buy young George the same game, so it is faulty logic to say that not having a R18+ rating protects young people.

Then there is the issue of censoring adults.  We are not talking about passing extremes like those horrid Japanese rape games here: just rating games more in tune with movies and making the rating system more reflective of the game content.

R18+ games let everyone know that the content is meant for adults and gives the adult the choice to buy or not.  The interactive nature of games can still be considered, but in a more accurate way instead of saying this violent game with dismemberment is okay, but that one isn’t.  It works overseas, so why not here?

For a full discussion of this issue read here.

GAMES THAT HAVE  BEEN BANNED IN AUSTRALIA:

1. 7 Sins Banned because of high impact of sexual references.
2. 50 Cent: Bulletproof Banned because of high impact violence and cruelty. A censored version was later released.
3. Blitz: The League Banned because of drug use.
4. BMX XXX Banned because of sexuality and nudity in relation to incentives and rewards. A censored version was later released.
5. Dark Sector Banned because of high impact violence. A censored version was later released.
6. Dreamweb Banned because of a scene of sexualised violence. However, the game was censored, and re-released with an M15+ rating in 1996 for “Medium level animated violence.”
7. Fallout 3 Banned because of in-game drug use. Edited world wide due to the insignificant changes to wording that was done. Therefore Australia got the same version as other countries under a MA15+ rating.
8. F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin Banned because of high impact violence, Warner bros. interactive later appealed the decision and received an MA15+.
9. The Getaway Original released uncut, more content was found that was deemed too much for the MA15+ rating. A censored version was later released.
10. Grand Theft Auto III Banned because of sexual violence. A censored version was later released. PC version was released uncut.
11. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Had its classification revoked following the Hot Coffee controversy and sexual violence. A censored version has since been classified MA15+.
12. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Pre-Censored before submission because of sexual violence. PC version was released uncut.
13. Grand Theft Auto IV Pre-censored before submission because of sexual violence. An uncut version was later released for the PC. A patch was later released to completely uncensor the Xbox 360 version Of the game. The PS3 version has not received the patch, as it came with The Lost And Damned.
14. Left 4 Dead 2 Refused classification as it failed to gain a MA15+ rating.  Now moderately altered version has passed MA15+ rating level.
15. Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude Banned because of sexuality and nudity in relation to incentives and rewards.
16. Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure Banned because of high impact violence and the glorification of graffiti.
17. Manhunt Was available for a while but later banned because of high impact scary violence and cruelty.
18. Manhunt 2 Banned because of high impact scary violence and cruelty.
19. NARC (2005 update) Banned because of high impact violence and illegal drug use.
20. Postal 2 Banned because of gross, abhorrent content (urination, high impact violence, animal cruelty, homophobia, etc.)
21. Phantasmagoria Banned because of high impact violence, cruelty, and a scene of sexual violence involving rape.
22. Reservoir Dogs Banned because of high impact violence and cruelty.
23. Risen Banned because of sexual activity and drug use related to incentives or rewards.
24. Rule of Rose Banned because of high impact violence and cruelty.
25. Sexy Poker Banned from being released on WiiWare due to nudity used an incentive. This is currently the only banned WiiWare game.
26. Shellshock: Nam ’67 Banned because of high impact violence; however, it was re-rated MA15+ by the Classification Review Board in its uncut form, upon appeal.
27. Shellshock 2: Blood Trails Banned because of high impact violence.
28. Silent Hill: Homecoming Banned because of High impact violence such as: Drilling into body parts. Konami has since modified the game to meet MA15+ guidelines.
29. Singles: Flirt Up Your Life Banned because of sexuality and nudity in relation to incentives and rewards.
30. Soldier of Fortune: Payback Banned because of high impact violence. Activision has since modified the game to meet MA15+ guidelines.
31. Tender Loving Care Banned because of high impact violence; however. It was however submitted for rerating and has since been re-rated MA15+.
32. The Punisher Banned because of high impact violence. Edited worldwide and this edition was passed through with an MA15+. Australia got the same version as America.
33. Voyeur Banned because of a scene of explicit sexual dialogue.

© 2009 David Hilton

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Filed under: 3rd Party Games, Console gaming, Editorial, Game Industry News, Industry News, New Game Information, New Xbox 360 Games, Parental Gaming, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 3rd Party Games, Xbox 360 News, Xbox 3rd party exclusives Tagged: | "R18 rating for games in australia", "risen refused classification", 360, Australian game ratings, censorship, game ratings, left4dead 2, MA15+, R18+, R18+ rating for games, R18+ rating in australia, refused classification, Risen, Xbox 360