World of Warcraft Finally Classified in Australia

[Zenode]

To everyone who obviously doesn't understand

There is a difference between "Exempt from classification" and "Refused Classification"

"Exempt from Classification" means that there are alot of factors to take into consideration and cannot be given a classification quickly, many online only games get this rating but it doesn't stay on them for too long.

"Refused Classification" means that it isn't allowed into the country because there are themes contained within the game which are innappropriate for Audiences.

So yes Australia has been able to play WoW since it has been out

For all those banging on about Australia is a crap country to live

http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-top-ten/world-top-ten-quality-of-life-map.html

 

[LeonLethality]

If I'm correct then an "M" is equivalent to an 18 here in Britain... Is this really right?

No, "M" is actually one step down from "MA15+". I believe that MA15+ cannot legally be sold to anyone under 15, while M games are more, "You probably shouldn't be playing this but we'll leave it up to your parents to decide." Unfortunately, I can't say for sure because the Classification Board website pukes out with a 404 error if you try to access information on what any of the ratings actually mean.

I wonder if the 404 thing is on purpose...

OT: 'bout time I may not be a fan of WoW but many people are so looks like the aussies get to have some fun now

 

[Andronicus]

For all those banging on about Australia is a crap country to live

http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-top-ten/world-top-ten-quality-of-life-map.html

Well, to be fair, I think that statement does apply to gamers and arachnophobes.

OT: No, Australia has not been denied that enigmatic time-waster known as World of Warcraft for the last few years, the distinction being made explicit be Zenode. But we sure could do with with a classification board that was a little more consistent and a little less... rubbish.

Denying (or, in this case, having made exempt) classification based on the unpredictability of the online content doesn't really make sense to me. The classification board is there to judge the content of the game itself, not how online players may affect the game by being present in-game. Obviously the ubiquitous "Game content may change online" comment will be added to the box, but how can they possibly hope to foresee how the game may change in the future?

 

[Cyberjester]

@25
... We Aussies ARE under the British Empire. That's the sucky bit. You're still technically in control. We've tried to vote ourselves into independance (1) before, was like the R18+ rating. There was a clear majority, but in one state it wasn't as clear, more 50/50 instead of the 70/30 needed or some such. Don't quote me on that, I studied Aus politics in yr12, ~3 years ago and hated it. =P That's just what I remember.

But we are in the British Empire flying a British flag, having a holiday on the Queens birthday. And one bloody person is blocking us from getting an R18+ rating.. If you've ever wondered where the "Aussies think everything is a big joke" comes from, just read the above again. And check out the rest of this wonderful place. =P We live here for the beaches, stay here after developing an extremely dark sense of humor involving reading the political section of the local paper.


(1): "America = people fleeing due to religious persecution take up arms to free themselves. Aus = nation of convicts who try to vote themselves out of the Brit empire. Anyone else see something weird there?

 

[Fire Daemon]

No, "M" is actually one step down from "MA15+". I believe that MA15+ cannot legally be sold to anyone under 15, while M games are more, "You probably shouldn't be playing this but we'll leave it up to your parents to decide." Unfortunately, I can't say for sure because the Classification Board website pukes out with a 404 error if you try to access information on what any of the ratings actually mean.

The M is basically the same as PG. With PG you need adult supervision if you're under 15 and with M you have to have parent supervision if you're... under 15. When they brought in the MA15+ they may have filled the void between M and R but made the M rating useless in the process. Nobody cares about the M rating. If something is M it had might as well be G.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_of_Film_and_Literature_Classification_(Australia)

And no folks, Australians can still play WoW. This game was released without a rating, not because it was denied a rating but because the ACB are lazy. There was word a few months ago saying that WoW may be shut down because it has no ratings although they later proved to be false.

 

[Clashero]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I'm glad I don't live in Australia.

And we in Australia are also very glad you don't.

HA! Well then, I guess we can all just be happy internet friends and play Left 4 Dead 2 together. Oh wait.

It's been classified now, I believe.

Really? What did Valve have to do to make that happen?

You'd better not ask that, boyo.

I'm not sure what happened, really. My aussie Escapist... contact, let's call her told me about it.

Wow, really that bad huh? Do the zombies bleed rainbows or something?

My guess is that there's less blood and no limbs flying off. Gabe Newell stated that as long as they get the game to be released in Australia, PC gamers won't have a problem because he's sure a mod will come out within the day to patch the game back to the normal, more violent version. However, because of all the red tape and whatnot with consoles, it will take a lot longer to bring the normal version to consoles.