Syndicate Banned in Australia - UPDATED

[SL33TBL1ND]

Welp, I guess I'll just have to order it from the internet.

 

[ezeroast]

Syndicate as a FPS was a bad idea to begin with I believe but I still wanted to give it a shot. Suppose I'll have to get it by some other means (american steam store for solid copy from overseas)

 

[Vault101]

The Australian restrictions on what would be deemed "free speech" in the US and most other democracies are insane.

Cases like these, which have only increased in recent years, simply demonstrate the necessity of mentioning free speech in a democracy's constitution. One would think that the constitution of a true democracy would contain some mention -- ANY mention -- about free speech, but most are surprised to find out that it is not the case. The lack of such a clause is dangerous. If they can go this far, how much farther can they go before the restrictions would be deemed unacceptable?

Also, could someone who lives in Australia please comment on how the general public there views what's going on with videogames? I don't want any biased answers. I just want the truth about public opinion. Anyone know?

Oh and if there is someone out there who can offer such insight, could you please also tell us whether Australia has done this with other mediums (e.g. film, television, literature, etc.)? From what I've gathered through my limited research, it appears that videogames have been the only target.

the "general public" dont care except for the gamers among them

and yeah, as far as I can tell its only the games, I was actually surprised to find a copy of "the human centepede" in a DVD store

and to be honest it doesnt happen all that often (this is the only notable example other than left 4 dead) but I still think its an issue that needs adressing

 

[MercurySteam]

Urgh, I know I'm not gonna pirate this (I respect games too much) but I don't exactly want to import it either. Goddamn lazy government.

 

[Valanthe]

Because everyone knows the only adults in Australia who play videogames are snarky British ex-pat manchildren.

With cool hats!

You mustn't forget the hat!

 

[gyroscopeboy]

It's ok, i'll just watch a Let's Play of it...won't be missing out on any "intense sequences of violence" here! Thanks Australian Government!

 

[weirdee]

small bet that they put a dismembering minigun specifically to offend them to get free press

 

[Thaluikhain]

The Australian restrictions on what would be deemed "free speech" in the US and most other democracies are insane.

Cases like these, which have only increased in recent years, simply demonstrate the necessity of mentioning free speech in a democracy's constitution. One would think that the constitution of a true democracy would contain some mention -- ANY mention -- about free speech, but most are surprised to find out that it is not the case. The lack of such a clause is dangerous. If they can go this far, how much farther can they go before the restrictions would be deemed unacceptable?

I'd disagree. It's all very well to have such things in your constitution, but it doesn't mean anything unless people want to enforce it. And in that case, they'd do it anyway.

The US Bill of Rights, for example, promises all sorts of things that are quietly overlooked when necessary.

Also, could someone who lives in Australia please comment on how the general public there views what's going on with videogames? I don't want any biased answers. I just want the truth about public opinion. Anyone know?

Nobody much seems to care. Oh, if you ask, people would likely say that it's silly, but it's not a pressing concern in the scheme of things.

 

[enzilewulf]

I am happy EA told them essentially "get bent". Parents are to blame for children who go bad due to video games, not video games them selves. Old white boys gonna hate I guess.

 

[Blue Hero]

Now I don't have to worry about my son going out and using his minigun to dismember, decapitate, or bisect my fellow countrymen!

 

[Sexy Devil]

*deleted*

 

[Blue Hero]

I think the sale of porn is banned everywhere except the ACT and NT, but other than that it's just video games.

What? No. I've got two porn stores on the same street near where I live and I'm in NSW.

hurr do how do i properly quote someone that has already quoted someone without having the fuckhuge quote to a quote bullshit I hate this

 

[bloodrayne626]

Welp, I guess I'll just have to pirate it from the internet.

I fixed your post, man.

 

[Nouw]

Welp, I guess I'll just have to pirate it from the internet.

I fixed your post, man.

Hey, if it's banned it's justifiable right ?

 

[Xangi]

"The game will not be available in Australia despite its enthusiastic response from fans. We were encouraged by the government's recent agreement to adopt an 18+ age rating for games. However, delays continue to force an arcane censorship on games - cuts that would never be imposed on books or movies,"

Surely they mean "archaic"?

Oh wait, this is EA, they're not famous for their brains, and in fact are famous for their LACK of brains.

Silly me.

 

[Twilight_guy]

Australia to EA: No, not here bro. Games r 4 kidz.
EA to Australia: Go fuck yourself. Games are for everyone.

Everyone has a great hate for EA, but, hey, they issues a good response here.

 

[ACM_Shadow]

Also, could someone who lives in Australia please comment on how the general public there views what's going on with videogames? I don't want any biased answers. I just want the truth about public opinion. Anyone know?

Oh and if there is someone out there who can offer such insight, could you please also tell us whether Australia has done this with other mediums (e.g. film, television, literature, etc.)? From what I've gathered through my limited research, it appears that videogames have been the only target.

Have to say i'm not a mainstream/hardcore gamer, in the way that i didn't know about Syndicate reboot until earlier today (and is usually the case with most stuff), and i hate the government (i'm sure 90% of the voters here actually don't vote for who they want in power, but vote against who they don't want in power, i know i do). But public opinion that i hear is, "its a game... who cares" or along those lines.
The past-time called gaming has caught on here, but it isn't widespread enough that people take it seriously, more so with the older generation (40+ years old) thinking its a ridiculous waste of time, and guess who makes up 90% of the political parties.

Also they have done this to movies, just these movies are usually c/d-grade things that are rarely heard of.

So the Aussie government actually does alot of censoring, they just seem to be very sneaky with the majority of it.

Edit: they ruined L4D2 for me, now this.... i think censorship actually may cause more gun-wielding insane people then actually playing said games

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

Welp, I guess I'll just have to pirate it from the internet.

I fixed your post, man.

I was actually going to purchase it, but whatever.

"The game will not be available in Australia despite its enthusiastic response from fans. We were encouraged by the government's recent agreement to adopt an 18+ age rating for games. However, delays continue to force an arcane censorship on games - cuts that would never be imposed on books or movies,"

Surely they mean "archaic"?

Oh wait, this is EA, they're not famous for their brains, and in fact are famous for their LACK of brains.

Silly me.

Arcane as in mysterious, they know what they're saying.

 

[crotchdot]

the "general public" dont care except for the gamers among them

and yeah, as far as I can tell its only the games, I was actually surprised to find a copy of "the human centepede" in a DVD store

Every survey that's been conducted on this issue shows that the vast majority of people (gamers and non-gamers alike) in Australia think videogames should be rated exactly like movies. And by vast majority we're talking above 90%. But gamers are the most vocal, and others probably aren't going to go out of their way to follow the issue. But still, almost anyone you care to ask will tell you banning games is bullshit.

And it's not just games, it's funny that you mentioned Human Centipede because the sequel was refused classification (banned) here a few weeks back.

 

[Little2Raph]

The vast majority of people here don't give a flying cuss about anything (unless it's boat people, then it's all "Save us from the foreign hordes who'll take our jobs and force us to become Muslim!").

The only people who care about this issue are the gamers on the one hand and the self-righteous do-gooders on the other who think they have a God-given right to lecture everyone else about their morals (usually the same xenophobic fucktards who seem to have a problem with helping others less fortunate than themselves - see rant about boat people above).