Back in March, the Australian Classification Review Board refused classification of Disco Elysium - The Final Cut; meaning that that version of the game couldn't be sold in Australia. The reason for this decision was that it falls under the category of computer games that "depict, express or otherwise deal with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena in such a way that they offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults to the extent that they should not be classified."

However, a couple of days ago, on May 13th, the Review Board announced that it was removing this ban following a review of its original decision and classified Disco Elysium: The Final Cut with an R 18+ rating, due to its "themes, coarse language and drug references". As such, the game can now be legally sold through stores in Australia.

If you're living in Australia and want to know about the game now that it is officially available, be sure to check our official review of the game linked below where it scored a whopping 9.7/10!

SOURCE: GBAtemp Inbox
Disco Elysium - The Final Cut Official GBAtemp Review

 

[smallissue]

if this is news be prepared for me to submit news about [insert dumbass thing here]

 

[Seliph]

Australian govt gave into peer pressure to take drugs

 

[Deleted User]

... As much as I would like to point out the realities of every-day Australian Life to counter this ban, it's just too much of a low-hanging fruit.

That said, with a measly population of 25+ Million, it feels more like a local tug-of-war for relevance, for local consumption, more than a long-awaited revenue stream for the Developers overall.

Good on ya, I guess.

 

[chrisrlink]

-scratches Australia off his list of places to visit- nope

 

[hamohamo]

What's up with the comments? You guys aren't used to deleting em.

 

[MarkDarkness]

The hell is up with all of these deletions...

 

[Kioku]

I've always wondered what goes through the minds of the Aussie government to ban certain video games, or have them censored to be released there.

What even is this game about, anyway? Off to the YouTube.

The hell is up with all of these deletions...

What's up with the comments? You guys aren't used to deleting em.

They had no place here in this specific thread.

 

[BitMasterPlus]

Seemed like a dumb ban, so good I guess?

 

[tech3475]

I've always wondered what goes through the minds of the Aussie government to ban certain video games, or have them censored to be released there.

What even is this game about, anyway? Off to the YouTube.

I remember historically it was because they lacked an adult rating, found this on Wikipedia:

Originally, video games in Australia only be rated up to MA15+. At the time, the R18+ classification rating could be given to films, but a video game with content deemed fitting for the R18+ rating would be classed as "Refused Classification" due to an appropriate classification not being available for the medium.

In July and August 2011, all Australian state Attorneys-General agreed to instate an R18+ rating for video games, which would be available by the end of 2011.[1] Many games previously refused classification would now fit into the R18+ rating and, if the publisher chose to pay the reclassification fee, would theoretically be able to sell their game in Australia. The date was later changed to allow the rating to be introduced at the beginning of 2013.[2]

With the R18+ rating in place, it is expected fewer video games will be given the Refused Classification rating. Games may still be Refused Classification if deemed to contain material unsuitable for R18+ classification, such as depictions of sexual violence or the promotion of illegal drug use, as well as drug use that is related to incentives and rewards. More specifically, games which may be Refused Classification include:

• Detailed instruction or promotion in matters of crime or violence.
• Depiction of rape.
• The promotion or provision of instruction in paedophile activity.
• Descriptions or depictions of child sexual abuse or any other exploitative or offensive descriptions or depictions involving a person who is, or appears to be, a child under 18 years.
• Gratuitous, exploitative or offensive depictions of:
  • (i) violence with a very high degree of impact or which are excessively frequent, prolonged or detailed;
  • (ii) cruelty or real violence which are very detailed or which have an extremely high impact;
  • (iii) sexual violence
• Depictions of practices such as bestiality
• Gratuitous, exploitative or offensive depictions of:
  • (i) activity accompanied by fetishes or practices that are offensive or abhorrent;
  • (ii) incest fantasies or other fantasies that are offensive or abhorrent

 

[Xzi]

What even is this game about, anyway?

Adult themes. Politics, sex, drug/alcohol use, violence, pretty much all of them. Historically Australia's ratings board is most against any game with depictions of drug use, doubly so if that drug use provides any benefits. More generally they consider games to be for children exclusively, so adult-oriented games like this one get put through all the red tape.

 

[The Catboy]

Not shocked by this whatsoever, Australia has a long history of banning things

 

[Jayro]

I'll never understand why certain countries ban seemingly harmless stuff.

 

[tabzer]

The comments about Australia were interpreted as bickering? I thought they were in good humor.

I'll never understand why certain countries ban seemingly harmless stuff.

I'd make a joke about the comment section, but...

 

[stanleyopar2000]

The hell is up with all of these deletions...

Politics about AUS's oversight somehow got USA got involved. Nuff said

The comments about Australia were interpreted as bickering? I thought they were in good humor.

I'd make a joke about the comment section, but...

It's cause USA politics got involved and to to not appear partisan , everything was removed involving it.

 

[Xzi]

It's cause USA politics got involved and to to not appear partisan , everything was removed involving it.

Oof, sounds like some nice censorship from Murdoch there.

I'm sure he wishes he could do the same with US video games too, but he's got plenty of influence here nonetheless.

 

[pcwizard7]

I could still buy it from steam and since there was no physical release anyway it never affected me

 

[Deleted member 534570]

This reminds me of the whole Saints Row IV fiasco which later led to one of the game's trailers mentioning "The Game Australia never wants you to play".

 

[CrossOut]

I read the title wrong. Its great to see that game is unbanned. Hopefully Australia understands that its just a game for other games they want to ban.

 

[HideoKojima]

No one can stop illuminati plans lol