Saints Row 4, State of Decay Refused Classification in Australia

[Gahars]

Remember how Australia was supposed to be reforming its system of game classification to something a bit more sensible? So it would no longer effectively ban games with "mature" themes and subject matter? To cut down on all the needless censorship?

Ha ha, too bad!

The Australian Classification Board made Saints Row 4 the first game to be refused classification in the country since the introduction of the R18+ rating at the start of the year. In a statement released this morning, the ACB said it classified the game "RC (Refused Classification)" in accordance with the new guidelines. Publisher Deep Silver told us developer Volition is reworking the game's content for the territory.

"In the Board's opinion, Saints Row IV, includes interactive, visual depictions of implied sexual violence which are not justified by context," reads the ACB's statement. "In addition, the game includes elements of illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards. Such depictions are prohibited by the computer games guidelines."

Joystiq

(That "implied sexual violence" bit? Referring to an alien anal probe. Of course, Destroy All Humans had an anal probe gun and was not refused classification, but hey, consistency is hard.)

Hola Australian State of Decay fans,

I have bad news to share: State of Decay has been refused classification by the Australian Classification Board (ACB). We've run afoul of certain prohibitions regarding the depiction of drug use. We're working with Microsoft to come up with options, including changing names of certain medications in the game to comply with ratings requirements. Whatever our path forward, it's going to take a bit.

I know this is frustrating — believe me, we're frustrated too — but each country has the right to set its own rules about content, and it's our responsibility to comply with them. Rest assured we'll do everything we can to find a way to get the game into your hands. Stay tuned.

Jeff

Undead Labs Forums

I guess the Australian ratings board is in a State of Decay all its own.

Australia has had a long history of banning games or forcing developers to censor their vision in order to see release (ranging from Fallout 3 to Left 4 Dead 2 and beyond). It seems like the government was trying to step away from this past, but just when I thought they were out, they pull themselves back in.

So continued video game censorship, some of the most dangerous animals known to man, and harsh, inhospitable deserts. Sheesh, Australia, get it together!

 

[Fluto]

Yeah, very lame move after "R18+" classification. It's strange, Saints Row IV is going to be displayed at PAX AUS, well I guess its cancelled now :/

 

[FireGrey]

Eh well, can always import from Hong Kong.

 

[Ethevion]

So shouldn't anal probing and drug use fall under the R18+ rating?

 

[FAST6191]

I thought they were supposed to create a new rating and not just rename the old one?

 

[Rydian]

Publisher Deep Silver told us developer Volition is reworking the game's content for the territory.

I managed to find a sneak preview here. They're handing it off to the same team that did this mod.



Of course they still need to remove the puppies if it's going to be AUS-accepted.
Puppies can bite, and biting is a bad bad nono thing, so the puppies need to go.

 

[Zerosuit connor]

Saints Row 4 was refused because of the Alien Anal Probe! I don't understand, we have the R18 rating now, so why not rate it that and make it a parents responsibility that it doesn't end up in the wrong hands?

 

[Deleted-188346]

Saints Row 4 was refused because of the Alien Anal Probe! I don't understand, we have the R18 rating now, so why not rate it that and make it a parents responsibility that it doesn't end up in the wrong hands?

Because the classification board believes that Saints Row 4 and State Of Decay aren't suitable for anybody. Even adults will not be able to handle the adult themes. It's just that adult.

 

[shakirmoledina]

I heard they are going to release an australian-only version. So basically they are trying to adulte-rate it (or not)

 

[Qtis]

Am I missing something? Shouldn't the R18+ include everything not suitable for anyone under 18? In other words, it's either R18+ or it isn't (lower restrictions are of course available). Good job Australia. You dun good!


As a side matter, is importing said game(s) illegal? How about second hand games? ("I bought this game while living in Europe and now want to sell it")

 

[Nathan Drake]

So, every one else gets Saints Row 4, and Australia gets.....whatever the hell is left by the time Australia considers it appropriate for the apparently easily influenced adults of the country.

 

[Foxi4]

It's funny because Australia was founded by convicts.

 

[GameWinner]

Adults don't exist in Australia, just children that doesn't like violence.

 

[gokujr1000]

Adults don't exist in Australia, just children that doesn't like violence.

You're on the right track but wrong at the same time. Australia is filled with many adults in Australia but it's most of our government that is filled with Children.

 

[JoostinOnline]

It's funny because Australia was founded by convicts.

The line "Australia is populated entirely by criminals" (from The Princess Bride") was far more funny before I knew it was actually true (in the time that the movie takes place at least).

 

[Foxi4]

The line "Australia is populated entirely by criminals" (from The Princess Bride") was far more funny before I knew it was actually true (in the time that the movie takes place at least).

To be fair, it was convicts and the Imperial instruments of opression... until the instruments left.

 

[Hop2089]

They both should get instant R-18+, I doubt the anal probing is happening to a child, so why ban the game and drug use, couldn't they censor the drug names, the US still does this kind of censoring, hello. I bet the UK version won't be RCed nor the German version (with a little censorship at the worst).

 

[redact]

Lawlers. So much for our R18 rating

 

[Zerosuit connor]

Because the classification board believes that Saints Row 4 and State Of Decay aren't suitable for anybody. Even adults will not be able to handle the adult themes. It's just that adult.

Hence, the R18+ Rating. What's the point of having it?

 

[shoyrumaster11]

I have a bad feeling that one of my closest friends (once they find this out) is going to tell me that he just downloaded this game. *awkward faceplam* Just don't tell the police that you did that!