Left 4 Dead 2 Australian Appeal Fails

[Andy Chalk]

Left 4 Dead 2 Australian Appeal Fails

Bad news, Australia: It looks like you'll be playing the watered-down sissy version of Left 4 Dead 2 [http://www.l4d.com] after all.

I'm not sure if it was much of a surprise when Australia's notorious Classification Board approved [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/94771-Left-4-Dead-2-Refused-Classification-in-Australia] but remained a "backup plan," according to Valve boss Gabe Newell, to be employed only if the appeal of the original decision failed.

Unfortunately, the magic moment has arrived and its not a good one for folks Down Under looking forward to some non-lame undead action: A three-member Classification Board review panel has unanimously voted to uphold the original decision to rate the game RC (Refused Classification).

"The computer game contains a level of violence which is high in impact, prolonged, repeated frequently and realistic within the context of the game," the panel wrote in its decision [http://oflc.gov.au/www/cob/rwpattach.nsf/VAP/(3273BD3F76A7A5DEDAE36942A54D7D90)~Mediarelease-Left4Dead2-22October2009.pdf/$file/Mediarelease-Left4Dead2-22October2009.pdf]. "In addition, it was the Review Board's opinion that there was insufficient delineation between the depiction of general zombie figures and the human figures, as opposed to the clearly fictional 'infected' characters. This was a major consideration of the Review Board in determining the impact of this game on minors."

So the hideously deformed "special infected" are okay, but the ones who look like humans - that is, hordes of slavering humans charging headlong at you in a desperate rush to consume your living flesh - are a no-go? Yeah, I don't get it either.

Valve hasn't yet confirmed whether this will force the release of the edited version of the game in Australia but it looks pretty much certain at this point. Assuming that's how it works out, it's an unfortunate but also unsurprising conclusion; as long as Australia insists on keeping its head buried in the videogaming sand, it's also one we can expect to see repeated in the future.

Source: Zenode [http://www.australiangamer.com/news/2570_l4d2_appeal_refused_classification_we_get_gypped_version_only.html] for the tip

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[Amnestic]

"The computer game contains a level of violence which is high in impact, prolonged, repeated frequently and realistic within the context of the game," the panel wrote in its decision [http://oflc.gov.au/www/cob/rwpattach.nsf/VAP/(3273BD3F76A7A5DEDAE36942A54D7D90)~Mediarelease-Left4Dead2-22October2009.pdf/$file/Mediarelease-Left4Dead2-22October2009.pdf]. "In addition, it was the Review Board's opinion that there was insufficient delineation between the depiction of general zombie figures and the human figures, as opposed to the clearly fictional 'infected' characters. This was a major consideration of the Review Board in determining the impact of this game on minors."

It's a little patronising to imply that people 15+ aren't capable of distinguishing between reality and fiction, and more than that distinguishing between a zombie and a living human.

 

[The Great JT]

Australia, YOU ARE SCUM!

 

[dmase]

This makes me relize how lucky i am to live in america, sex may be out, but violence works better in a videogame.

 

[Gigaguy64]

wow, this is kinda sad.

"The computer game contains a level of violence which is high in impact, prolonged, repeated frequently and realistic within the context of the game," the panel wrote in its decision [http://oflc.gov.au/www/cob/rwpattach.nsf/VAP/(3273BD3F76A7A5DEDAE36942A54D7D90)~Mediarelease-Left4Dead2-22October2009.pdf/$file/Mediarelease-Left4Dead2-22October2009.pdf]. "In addition, it was the Review Board's opinion that there was insufficient delineation between the depiction of general zombie figures and the human figures, as opposed to the clearly fictional 'infected' characters. This was a major consideration of the Review Board in determining the impact of this game on minors."

It's a little patronising to imply that people 15+ aren't capable of distinguishing between reality and fiction, and more than that distinguishing between a zombie and a living human.

i guess they must think the people are total idiots, not able to comprehend that fact.

 

[Trivun]

Seriously, the Australian Classification Board are idiots. I'm sorry, but they are. Even the USA, notorious for their lack of tolerance of violence and sex in games, and the UK, don't simply refuse to classify games because of a bit of gore. Honestly, it's basically Germany all over again, but this time people actually have the power to stop games being released rather than simply trying to get them banned afterwards. And anyway, what about sex and violence in TV and film? And zombie films in Australia? They don't ban things like Dawn of the Dead or the Resident Evil films over there, right?

Besides, can't most Australians simply import the full release of the game anyway from abroad? Or will that be banned too?

 

[Evilbunny]

This is one of the many reasons that I'm proud to be an American.

 

[Sonicron]

Eh, we'll probably get a watered-down version here in Germany, too... fortunately I can just order the game from an Austrian retailer and enjoy it in all its uncut glory.

Sorry, Australia... looks like you drew the short straw again.

 

[Amnestic]

This is one of the many reasons that I'm proud to be an American.

These people are too:

Spoiler

One of them came close to becoming your President.

 

[fix-the-spade]

Silly question. Does STEAM count as a retail store in Australia or is it American?

Surely there's a very neat sidestep there to let Aussies play L4D2 proper because STEAM isn't based in Australia, so technicaly the game need never be released in Aus...

 

[Fenixius]

Besides, can't most Australians simply import the full release of the game anyway from abroad? Or will that be banned too?

In practical terms, sure can, but in theory at least, that's illegal too.

Now, the real problem is this: It's got nothing to do with the Australian Classification Board (http://oflc.gov.au) that they had to ban this. Which seems counterintuitive, but they don't make the rules, which they followed pretty clearly. Indeed, it's the government that needs to be petitioned (and I mean that in the literal sense, not the online one), and educated.

Email all complaints here: [email protected] <-- This is the email of the guy [http://www2.parliament.sa.gov.au/Internet/DesktopModules/memberdrill.aspx?pid=531] who blocks the R18+ rating.

 

[jymbobjones]

lol doe any 1 really care since the australians can either ship it or pirate it lol

 

[Dudeakoff]

The Australian classification board shows a remarkable lack of consistency, there are many games far worse then L4D2 that have been given a rating in Australia. Me thinks it's the government trying to get a high profile example of how they're saving the children from certain doom.

 

[ars731]

I wonder what Yahtzee is going to do, I guess he is going to have to go to GAMETRADERS ROBINA!, but seriously through why is Australia so antigame?

 

[Macgyvercas]

Holy shit, Australia needs to grow up already. Just get a Mature rating like the rest of the world, already.

 

[Fenixius]

Silly question. Does STEAM count as a reatil store in Australia or is it American?

Surely there's a very neat sidestep there to let Aussies play L4D2 proper because STEAM isn't based in Australia, so technicaly the game need never be released in Aus...

This is actually a pretty good question. I'm fairly sure that yes, it -does- count as an Aussie retailer. But we'll have to see. Other good questions include: "What happens when a US Steam Account gifts us a copy of the game?" and "Can I just import the game and play on Aus servers?"

What's much, much, much muddier, is the idea that Valve could, in theory, release a content patch to reinstate all this gore and violence. ...I think that's pretty legal, but it neatly sidesteps the system -entirely-, and I'm not sure if that's a wise move.

 

[Pendragon9]

Well, it's time to import. Let's hope they don't region code it.

 

[Amnestic]

Silly question. Does STEAM count as a reatil store in Australia or is it American?

Surely there's a very neat sidestep there to let Aussies play L4D2 proper because STEAM isn't based in Australia, so technicaly the game need never be released in Aus...

Steam games are region coded last I checked, which is why if a game is released earlier in NA than the EU, EU customers still have to wait 'til their date to get it off Steam (as far as I know), so the Steam version is the watered down version.

 

[The Rockerfly]

Can you guys still get it via Steam? If not I will be very disappointed
Damn you Australian bored, you fucktards

 

[WolfLordAndy]

saving the children from certain doom.

Those children will grow up not knowing how to survive a zombie apocolypse tho! They're only hurting them in the long run!!