Bethesda's latest refused ratings classification in the land down under
Well, here's nothing we haven't seen before: Kotaku reports that Fallout 3, the latest entry in the post-apocalyptic RPG series, has been denied a ratings classification from the Office of Film and Literature Classification in Australia. Since it's against Australian law for games beyond the MA 15+ rating to be sold in retail stores, this means Fallout 3 -- in its current form -- is banned in the country.
The OFLC (which is essentially Australia's version of the ESRB) released a report later in the day (via Kotaku) explaining their reasoning behind the ban. From their report:
"The game contains the option to take a variety of 'chems' using a device which is connected to the character's arm.... The positive effects include increase in strength, stamina, resistance to damage, agility and hit points.
"Corresponding with the list of various 'chems' are small visual representation of the drugs, these include syringes, tablets, pill bottles, a crack-type pipe and blister packs. In the Board's view these realistic visual representations of drugs and their delivery method bring the 'science-fiction' drugs in line with 'real-world' drugs."
If past cases of games being banned in Australia are any indication, it's likely this will be resolved by editing out this content in Fallout 3 that pushed it over the edge in the eyes of the OFLC. Both Grand Theft Auto IV and Dark Sector were recently banned in Australia, only to receive certain edits in order to earn the MA 15+ rating and the right to Australian shelf space. It's a troubling trend for those concerned about artistic censorship, but unfortunately, it doesn't seem as though Australian law will be changed any time soon.
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This is utter bullshit. What kind of democracy is this meant to be when adults who pay tax are told which video games they can and can't play. Let's face it, this is a game for adults, because even if you were only 8 when fallout 2 was out you'd be an adult now.
Who the hell do these people think they are? Positive effects from drug use...? well duh, WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE TAKE THEM? (only the game shows long term ill effects too) If the Australian government put as much effort into cleaning drugs and violence of our streets as they do into cleaning them off our games consoles we'd be living in a paradise.
FAIL FOR DEMOCRACY.
This post has been edited by barend: 14 July 2008 - 12:41 AM