On the Left 4 Dead Ban

[Specter_]

The point is, this might not seem important to you foreigners with your fancy food and your crap beaches, but Australia is a warning. It shows the world just how easy it can be to suppress what you and your hoary minions disapprove of, by exploiting bureaucracy and waving the banner of "think of the children."

Well, it is kind of important to me, since I too live in a country that bans games with a passion (and looking at my countries history, one would think that banning media would rise a few eyebrows, instead we hear things like "we can't critize Israel due to our history", but I'm getting offtopic).
The good side is: globalization. No matter what reason some bore in the government-organization can come up with to withhold a game from my bloodlusting fingers, I can always import it from the UK.

 

[Nevyrmoore]

Being a U.S. citizen, not being as heavily censored as those "down under" I need someone to explain something to me.

How difficult would it be to order a "banned" game from outside the borders? GAME TRADERS ROBINA not withstanding, will Amazon or Ebay (or a person)ship a game?

I once ordered Star Fox 2 for the SNES (entirely in Japanese) from Japan. Granted it wasn't banned in the U.S. but it wasn't released either.

It's usually not too difficult. It's not actually banned from the country, it's just that the stores are not allowed to sell it.

 

[Cowabungaa]

And I still want to go to Australia!

Anyway, if they keep going like this, they'll get voted out of power anyway. Plus, never forget the power of import.

 

[SantoUno]

That really sucks, and it does infuriate me. I may live in the US but I still feel bad for Yahtzee and and all the Australian gamers that have to suffer because of this crap. Seriously how can they put such bands and restrictions on games which we love to play and enjoy? It's like if we prohibited Australia's alcohol because minors could get hold of it. How would that make you feel Australian government bitches?

"And let me tell you, if there's anything that might make me consider leaving the beaches behind and fleeing to that crumbling, syphilitic hell-hole across the water, it's the videogame releases.

Didn't anyone pay attention to this? Does he mean that he might actually consider leaving Australia? That would be something. And is the hell hole he's talking about the US? Why does feel that way? If he moved to the US he would no longer be paying excessive prices on his games, he'll be able to get the games on release and not wait like he has to now In Australia, and in the US no games can ever be banned so that is also a great advantage of living here as a gamer.

 

[oppp7]

Why does everyone hate blood and gore? It's anatomy. And violence is a natural occurrence. Kids are gonna see it in school anyways...

Do you live in Sparta or something, where blood and gore are an everyday part of school?

No, but kids share things, such as swear words and other things parents want to hide from them. Trying to keep it from them will just make them into social outcasts.

 

[Kloffy]

This is exactly why Yahtzee should be Governor-General of Australia.

 

[Snooch_to_the_nooch]

Love the 'Logan's Run' reference. I swear, if I was the old man at the end of that movie I would have decreed that every minute my nob goes un-soaked by the female greens its was punishable by twenty minutes of french tickling.

If anyone gets that reference more power to you.

 

[Quadtrix]

Those must be some damn-good beaches.

 

[Grounogeos]

Are gamers the only ones who realize that it's really easy to "protect" kids from these kinds of games by, oh, I don't know, NOT LETTING THE LITTLE BASTARDS PLAY IT? Or by teaching them that it's just a fucking game and not real life?

 

[Malkavian]

I am curious... If a game that is not suited for minors is refused a rating, then what is the point of rating?

 

[randommaster]

Why does everyone hate blood and gore? It's anatomy. And violence is a natural occurrence. Kids are gonna see it in school anyways...

Do you live in Sparta or something, where blood and gore are an everyday part of school?

No, but kids share things, such as swear words and other things parents want to hide from them. Trying to keep it from them will just make them into social outcasts.

Aww, Swords are so much cooler than s-words.

 

[Lord_Gremlin]

I am curious... If a game that is not suited for minors is refused a rating, then what is the point of rating?

The point is to ban all media, you don't like. But if you ban porn, or rock music, you'll have some troubles. It's much easier to ban games.
However, sooner or later those old coots at Australian government will all die. And something will change.

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

Oh dear, It seems someones spoken their minds. Re-education camp for you mister!
Is it just me or is Australia now like China under Mao Tse Tung?

*changing gears*
The whole "think of the children" thing is tripe and Yahtzee hit the nail on the head, brutally, with lots of violent gore. You can just refuse to sell the game to people under 18 and there, problem solved. Its the bureaucrats who can't stand seeing others have more fun than them.

 

[Shadeovblack]

Further proof old people have no place in any sort of position of power.

Burn the decrepit old fools!

 

[samsonguy920]

GAME TRADERS ROBINA. Gotta keep it alive.
Okay, it is sad that this has occured, due to the rampant ignorance of ONE PERSON, not the ACB which is just following the rules as they are put them. "think of the children" is the same stupid ignorant thinking as "no child left behind." Nobody learns anything, the parents are kept out of the loop when they should be the ones thinking of the children and actually doing their portion of educating them. This is also the case of punishing everyone for the actions, or inactions, of the few and far between. I am not sure which is worse, the progression to a police state, or the government coming up with new ways telling parents it is okay to do NOTHING for your child, because the govt will do it for them. Argh.
And people, seriously, putting that much on one person only gives power to him. STFU about Jack Thompson already. He didn't even have any power except the influence he had, and you are only proving the point.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

I'd be all for a Logan's Run system if it means I get kidnapped by Jenny Agutter. My red crystal has been flashing for nearly a decade now.

Love the 'Logan's Run' reference. I swear, if I was the old man at the end of that movie I would have decreed that every minute my nob goes un-soaked by the female greens its was punishable by twenty minutes of french tickling.

He does have a point there.

 

[FairlyFrightenedFeline]

They are shits. Ive played through L4D and im fifteen, i dont go round with a shotgun killing people saying your a zombie BLAM

 

[iamthehorde]

i feel that. everything yathzee said in this article applies to germany as well.