Syndicate Banned in Australia - UPDATED

[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.

No, they mean arcane. Archaic wouldn't even make any sense. Games haven't been around for long enough to be archaic, let alone the Australian government's notoriety for banning them.
Either way, I don't mind whether you like EA or not, but don't go knocking them for something as simple as this.
And personally I would never call them stupid. Sure, they've done some dumb things but looking at the over-all record; getting into bed with studios and copyright holders that brought them games like the Happy Potter series, The Sims, Mass Effect (and by extension Dragon Age), Dead Space, just to name a few. I would call that pretty smart business practice.

Arcane makes significantly less sense, no matter how you define archaic. Also, if you think telling a government to shove it is smarter than appealing to them to get your product sold (in terms of business), then you clearly should never run a business. The ideal handling of this situation would be to do what smart game companies ALWAYS do when dealing with Australia, make a special censored version. Or, better than that, just give them the German version, since that one is already going to be censored.

Also, EA is not known for smart business practice in the realm of PC gaming. If you had played DS2 or ME2 on PC, you'd realize what a hassle it is to deal with Securom, which they insist on putting in their games. Sure, they do great on 360 and PS3, but soon that console generation will be forced into obsolescence by Nintendo starting a new generation, and then what? What happens when Mass Effect 6: Shepard goes to college doesn't sell? They'll be wishing they didn't alienate the whole PC market.

tl;dr
Archaic makes more sense no matter how you slice it (though if English is not your first language I can see the confusion), and EA is still dumb.

So that's going to be your argument, huh? "Archaic makes more sense, just because it does"? Yes, English is my first language (which you might guess from me being British!) and at least I told you why I think arcane makes a perfectly good adjective there.
Anyway, that aside, I would argue that pandering to the Australian government could possibly be the worst thing to do in this situation. If game studios will just blindly go along with their demands, they'll end up censoring more and more, giving gaming an increasingly bad rep in that country.
Moreover, the way that they did tell the Australian government to "shove it" was rather mild to be honest. In politics, if you want to shine through you need strong opinions and to be able to stand up to your opponents. Otherwise you just seem weak and I wouldn't want that for the gaming industry, no matter who the company is.
And lastly, my money is still on EA, who I think are capable of a lot more than you give them credit for; I suspect they're in it for the long haul. Also, I'd contradict you and say that Mass Effect is a trilogy, but if Halo is anything to go by, I fear you might be right about Mass Effect 6. =/

In common speech, the word archaic, when referring to a law, means that it is antiquated or a relic of a time which is no longer needed. Arcane, in common speech, means magical.

Game studios have no problem going along with Germany's demands, and my point was that they could just give Australia the German copy (translated obviously), but let's not even kid ourselves here, Most people will get American or European copies anyway, legally or otherwise.

Also, I didn't even BEGIN to rant about origin, but I'll shorten it to this. I didn't buy BF3 because of origin, and I won't be buying ME3 because of origin, and I was a HUGE fan of ME1 and I liked ME2. If a game has EA's DRM, I won't buy it, and I know MANY MANY MANY other people who feel exactly the same.

 

[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.

Ahh, calling someone for their lack of brains when you dont even understand the word they used... So very cute.

OT: Good on EA

In common speech, the word archaic, when referring to a law, means that it is antiquated or a relic of a time which is no longer needed. Arcane, in common speech, means magical.

Talking to someone like they are a child when you don't even understand the context which they are speaking in... So very cute.

 

[Kermi]

As an Australian, refusing the game from classification has only made me more determined to play it. I'll import it from ozgameshop. It's cheaper than buying locally anyway. Therre is a slight risk it'll be found and confiscated by customs, but that's rare.

 

[Woodsey]

"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.

Mr Xangi, meet [a
href=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/arcane]Mr Dictionary[/a].

Silly you indeed.

In common speech, the word archaic, when referring to a law, means that it is antiquated or a relic of a time which is no longer needed. Arcane, in common speech, means magical.

If they'd meant archaic and antiquated they'd have said it.

Arcane makes sense in the sentence it was used, there's no reason to assume they meant otherwise.

 

[Hachura]

Oh well. Ebay UK, here I come.

 

[DirgeNovak]

That update makes me respect EA a bit more.

 

[Grimh]

Ahahahahaha, SOPA backing EA doesn't like censorship.

 

[Booze Zombie]

Oh wow, time to enjoy myself with this mindless bit of fun designed by professionals!

 

[Matthew McDonald]

The problem I have is not that they banned this game, it's the inconsistency. There are already games with graphic violence available, games with dismemberment etc. Either ban them all or ban none of them.

One of the arguments against an R18+ rating is that children will get hold of violent games more easily. Ummm.... right now many games which are rated 18 in other countries get no cuts and put into the MA15+ category... Which, imo, means it's far easier to get as a child than an 18 rated game would be.

 

[Farther than stars]

In common speech, the word archaic, when referring to a law, means that it is antiquated or a relic of a time which is no longer needed. Arcane, in common speech, means magical.

Game studios have no problem going along with Germany's demands, and my point was that they could just give Australia the German copy (translated obviously), but let's not even kid ourselves here, Most people will get American or European copies anyway, legally or otherwise.

Also, I didn't even BEGIN to rant about origin, but I'll shorten it to this. I didn't buy BF3 because of origin, and I won't be buying ME3 because of origin, and I was a HUGE fan of ME1 and I liked ME2. If a game has EA's DRM, I won't buy it, and I know MANY MANY MANY other people who feel exactly the same.

I'm intrigued, do you use Steam then?
Also, I'm willing to bet there isn't a dictionary in the world which defines arcane as meaning "magical" and the links to the ones below are just a few. Yes, it's often used to describe magic, but that is literally to emphasize its "mysterious" qualities. Speaking of magic, the first dictionary below lists "arcane economic theories" as an example. Not exactly the most mystical of terms, now is it?

[link]http://www.thefreedictionary.com/arcane[/link]
[link]http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/arcane[/link]
[link]http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arcane[/link]
[link]http://dictionary.reverso.net/english-definition/arcane[/link]

 

[Xangi]

In common speech, the word archaic, when referring to a law, means that it is antiquated or a relic of a time which is no longer needed. Arcane, in common speech, means magical.

Game studios have no problem going along with Germany's demands, and my point was that they could just give Australia the German copy (translated obviously), but let's not even kid ourselves here, Most people will get American or European copies anyway, legally or otherwise.

Also, I didn't even BEGIN to rant about origin, but I'll shorten it to this. I didn't buy BF3 because of origin, and I won't be buying ME3 because of origin, and I was a HUGE fan of ME1 and I liked ME2. If a game has EA's DRM, I won't buy it, and I know MANY MANY MANY other people who feel exactly the same.

I'm intrigued, do you use Steam then?
Also, I'm willing to bet there isn't a dictionary in the world which defines arcane as meaning "magical" and the links to the ones below are just a few. Yes, it's often used to describe magic, but that is literally to emphasize its "mysterious" qualities. Speaking of magic, the first dictionary below lists "arcane economic theories" as an example. Not exactly the most mystical of terms, now is it?

[link]http://www.thefreedictionary.com/arcane[/link]
[link]http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/arcane[/link]
[link]http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arcane[/link]
[link]http://dictionary.reverso.net/english-definition/arcane[/link]

Note the words "common speech". In common speech, the letters "lol" indicate that a person finds something funny, but I doubt you'd find that defined as a word in any reputable dictionary.

Yes, I use Steam. Why? Because Valve is a company I feel I can trust. Also, steam doesn't ban you from all your games for reporting someone on the forums(in other words they actually care about their customers). This is just one of several key differences I could point out, but if you seriously think that origin is even remotely comparable to steam, you clearly haven't used either.

Also steam has a massive library of games that I'd otherwise be missing out on, Origin has a library size that is kind of pathetic (when you consider that many of those games can be bought without the DRM), and the exclusives aren't really that good.

Doesn't matter anyways, GOG and GamersGate are my preferred distributors, because I can buy single copies of multiplayer games and give them to friends as well so we can have some fun.

 

[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.

Mr Xangi, meet [a
href=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/arcane]Mr Dictionary[/a].

Silly you indeed.

In common speech, the word archaic, when referring to a law, means that it is antiquated or a relic of a time which is no longer needed. Arcane, in common speech, means magical.

If they'd meant archaic and antiquated they'd have said it.

Arcane makes sense in the sentence it was used, there's no reason to assume they meant otherwise.

In common speech

Good job "reading" that post, now I have to copy part of my last post again so you can "read" it too.

In common speech, the letters "lol" indicate that a person finds something funny, but I doubt you'd find that defined as a word in any reputable dictionary.

Oh, I'll put one more example, just because that's too easy to refute. The word "Derp", in common speech is usually said to indicate stupidity, either on behalf of the speaker or another person. Is THAT in a dictionary? What is said and what words are defined as are often not the same thing.

Also, just in case you were in the vegetarian thread I posted in earlier, I'll refute that argument right now. "Disingenuous" is not a commonly spoken word, and it does mean what its definition is, there is no alternate interpretation due to context or corruption from usage. Nice try though, if you were going to try to sue that.

 

[Jegsimmons]

EA tells australia to get bent?

Well EA you now have more respect from me.

I have no respect for anyone that censors artwork or speech (unless they own it of course, i respect property rights)
Thats why if SOPA passes, im rebelling.

 

[Farther than stars]

"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.

Mr Xangi, meet [a
href=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/arcane]Mr Dictionary[/a].

Silly you indeed.

In common speech, the word archaic, when referring to a law, means that it is antiquated or a relic of a time which is no longer needed. Arcane, in common speech, means magical.

If they'd meant archaic and antiquated they'd have said it.

Arcane makes sense in the sentence it was used, there's no reason to assume they meant otherwise.

In common speech

Good job "reading" that post, now I have to copy part of my last post again so you can "read" it too.

In common speech, the letters "lol" indicate that a person finds something funny, but I doubt you'd find that defined as a word in any reputable dictionary.

Oh, I'll put one more example, just because that's too easy to refute. The word "Derp", in common speech is usually said to indicate stupidity, either on behalf of the speaker or another person. Is THAT in a dictionary? What is said and what words are defined as are often not the same thing.

Also, just in case you were in the vegetarian thread I posted in earlier, I'll refute that argument right now. "Disingenuous" is not a commonly spoken word, and it does mean what its definition is, there is no alternate interpretation due to context or corruption from usage. Nice try though, if you were going to try to sue that.

OK, this seems to have gone far enough. And you should know that those examples are new enough to become categorized yet, just like the word arcane was over 2000 years ago. But somehow you say its meaning has been changed? Although so far you have only based that on the hearsay of a perhaps select group of people. Anyway, you seems you've become rather invested in seeing how deep you can dig yourself, so that's why for me the debate ends here.

 

[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.

Mr Xangi, meet [a
href=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/arcane]Mr Dictionary[/a].

Silly you indeed.

In common speech, the word archaic, when referring to a law, means that it is antiquated or a relic of a time which is no longer needed. Arcane, in common speech, means magical.

If they'd meant archaic and antiquated they'd have said it.

Arcane makes sense in the sentence it was used, there's no reason to assume they meant otherwise.

In common speech

Good job "reading" that post, now I have to copy part of my last post again so you can "read" it too.

In common speech, the letters "lol" indicate that a person finds something funny, but I doubt you'd find that defined as a word in any reputable dictionary.

Oh, I'll put one more example, just because that's too easy to refute. The word "Derp", in common speech is usually said to indicate stupidity, either on behalf of the speaker or another person. Is THAT in a dictionary? What is said and what words are defined as are often not the same thing.

Also, just in case you were in the vegetarian thread I posted in earlier, I'll refute that argument right now. "Disingenuous" is not a commonly spoken word, and it does mean what its definition is, there is no alternate interpretation due to context or corruption from usage. Nice try though, if you were going to try to sue that.

OK, this seems to have gone far enough. And you should know that those examples are new enough to become categorized yet, just like the word arcane was over 2000 years ago. But somehow you say its meaning has been changed? Although so far you have only based that on the hearsay of a perhaps select group of people. Anyway, you seems you've become rather invested in seeing how deep you can dig yourself, so that's why for me the debate ends here.

Translation: You weren't arguing against what you thought, but you have to save face. Anyone who knows anything about language knows that word meanings change frequently, and therefore definitions only go so far. Derp is not new enough to not have been categorized, as it has, by online sources only. It hasn't been formally categorized yet, but again, a formal categorization does not always cover every meaning.

I did not base my debate on the "hearsay" of a select group of people, I made my points based on 2 decades of personal experience with 2 provinces and a US state worth of people, and you did not counter them adequately.

The debate does end here, but because one of us has been beaten, and it was not me.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

Oh maaaaaaaaaaaaaan!

I was waiting for Yahtzee to tear the game apart!

He can get it through import.

OT: EA, fighting Australia's censorship, and supporting SOPA!

 

[Daget Sparrow]

I thought we were over this...ironically, banning violent games in Australia WANTS me to commit heinous acts.

 

[madster11]

Hey fellow Australians, protip:
You can ask the kind people of play-asia to put a game in a different games box to get it through customs, if you have to.

 

[aaronobst]

Thank god for PlayAsia!

Go suck a dick OFLC

 

[Astoria]

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.

Half of the majority agrees with the current policy because they buy into the 'violent games make violent people' crap and the other half just doesn't care. They don't try it with other media because they know people would get angry at it so instead they focus all their censoring onto gaming. And with the way things are going here I wouldn't be surprised if they ended banning games like COD for being too violent, they're getting close to banning smoking and pushing for the driving age to be 18.

I do not understand their thinking. This game is bad for children so no one should play it? Well driving is a bad idea for children so no one should drive and alcohol is bad for children so no one should drink alcohol either. How do idiots who have no idea what they're talking about get into positions of power like this?