Left 4 Dead 2 got refused classification in Australia. Valve appealed. And lost. So they’ve had to release a censored version. Let’s see how censored it really is and how easily you can uncensor it yourself.
The aptly-named The Australian Version Thread over on the Steam community forums has an excellent summary of what’s missing from the local, censored edition of the game. Highlights include:
* No Gore: When you shoot an Infected to you see a small splash of blood. You will not see any “gibs” at all.
* No Blood Spatter: You will not see blood spattering on the screen.
* No Dismemberment: You cannot shoot or melee any limbs, including the head, off an Infected.
* No Corpses: As soon as they’re dead, Infected bodies will disappear.
* No Burning: Infected will not catch fire from, for example, a molotov. They will, however, still die.
* No Riot Cop: The “riot cop” Uncommon Infected will not spawn at all. In fact, if just one player on the server is running the Australian edition, the “riot cop” will not spawn at all.
Check this comparison video to see for yourself.
However, some clever types have worked out how to get around the censorship – at least in the demo that is now available. And it just involves a tiny bit of editing to two files. Click the images below to enlarge and follow the instructions here.
Now, bear in mind, this has only been tested on the demo at this stage. It may not work on the full version of the game when it is released in just over a fortnight. You also have to run the demo directly from its .exe rather than via Steam, which may result in some issues. You have been warned!
[Special thanks to Gary P and Brendan B for their tip-offs!]
hydrakana
Monday, November 2, 2009 at 2:33 PMIf you purchased a fully uncensored version from NewZealand, you could possibly get around any Steam or xbox live bans seeing as we are under the same region.
Joel Connelly
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 7:04 PMThere wont be any steam bans even if you have the uncensored US version for PC, i should know because http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/1390/l4d2w.jpg and judging from their (Steam Supports) answer i think it’s safe to assume that even if you get the US version you wont face a ban.
for those that don’t want to click my pic link:
Subject: Left 4 dead 2 Australian version
Question: Hi, i was just wondering that if i import Left 4 Dead 2 retail from USA will it still be censored (as in will steam still be able to censor the content even though i should have an uncensored version?)
Answer: Hello
Thank you for contacting Steam Support.
An imported game from the US should not have the low violence restrictions attached to it.
Aron Mayo
Monday, November 2, 2009 at 2:43 PMOver-censored big time. I will NOT be buying this game now and i was a huge fan of the original.
ThePhantom
Monday, November 2, 2009 at 3:11 PMThis is going to be the Australian version of the Hot Coffee fiasco.
THE CONTENT IS IN THE GAME! THE HACKZORS GOT IT! VALVE LEFT IT IN THERE! LETS SUE THEM!
Daniel
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 5:04 PMWell valve could easily say that:
1. They showed the edited version to the OFLC and anything that is bypassed here on in by us is mereley a “miss” on the OFLC’s part. In other words, the OFLC didn’t inspect the cencored version thouroughly enough, therefore it isn’t valve’s problem.
2. It would’ve taken an incredible amount of man power and time to “create” a cencored version, so instead they made an “on/off” switch, that shouldn’t be accessed by customers (Valve could also scrap up some last minute terms and conditions to go along with this stating that we – as customers shouldn’t be doing this)
Valve has to be smart with this! They gotta play the game! Don’t underestimate their intelligence and willpower on the subject. They’ve gotta think “as gamers” and not “as developers”
Roland
Monday, November 2, 2009 at 3:25 PMBoth versions use the same steam app because i bought the Australian version played it for 2 min refunded it then bought the US version and it did not download anything.
LazyAza
Monday, November 2, 2009 at 4:08 PMThis is awesome, I thought we’d have to wait a few weeks for the inevitable hacking to show up on the net.
I’m willing to bet the full version will be just as easily modified, props to Valve for not actually removing the content but simply ‘disabling’ it :D
Feel sorry for the 360 players though, guess they’re forced to import and I hear you can actually get fined for doing that now :P
mambodog
Monday, November 2, 2009 at 4:37 PMhopefully 3fl or someone run some aus servers with the international version…
rturtle
Monday, November 2, 2009 at 5:24 PMdoes this mean that australians can’t get the ‘decapitate 200 enemies’ achievement? i hate to get my priorities mixed around but its worth thinking about.
anyway, hooray for imports!
Jackablade
Monday, November 2, 2009 at 5:36 PMI suppose one can only hope that given time, Valve are able to patch a proper Australian version of the game to at least get us back to a fully functional game. Given it’d have to go through the OFLC rigmarol for the third time, it’s probably not all that likely, but if any developer would consider going so far beyond the call of duty it’s Valve.
You have to feel sorry for the Germans.
Drunkspleen
Monday, November 2, 2009 at 6:00 PMI appreciate Valve’s efforts in working with the pathetic censorship which has absolutely 0 consistency and isn’t doing it’s intended job of protecting youngsters.
But despite the fact that this isn’t Valve’s fault really, I couldn’t bring myself to play that censored version, it looks terrible, my biggest problem is the vanishing corpses, the other stuff I can live with but not that.
Jammers
Monday, November 2, 2009 at 7:13 PM510 pride, brothers!
Here’s hoping the workaround is in the full game too.
The ratings board doesn’t usually seem to care about stuff once it’s got through them, and if a watchdog group causes a ruckus it’s only going to drive sales through the roof.
Patrick Lum
Monday, November 2, 2009 at 8:47 PMGifting from America still works; get some Yank friends, people. Bonus – any money spent bypasses the Australian economy.
Also, refund if you preordered already, I’mma be interested in the refund figures for L4D2.
brent3000
Monday, November 2, 2009 at 10:32 PMi got my one refunded by stem after playing the demo… and Steam will not stop users importing it from what they said in their emails back and forth…
maddy
Monday, November 2, 2009 at 10:42 PMWhat happens to LFD2′s Online gameplay? How does that work now that Australia’s version has been cut like a motherbitch.
Random_Wookie
Monday, November 2, 2009 at 11:26 PMDid you know you can have nudity in a G rated film . I am glad I checked that video clip with samples of the censored game in it. I have to say I will not be buying the australian version of the game because of the changees. If i buy the pc version overseas will it be forced to patch to the australian version if i use it here?
Infy_AsiX
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 4:16 AMI haven’t seen anyone else mention that they thought Valve played this one politically cunningly. It’s like they are criticising the ban by releasing an extremely watered down version.
First by appealing the ban. Even announcing the edited version at the same time as if to show the appeal was a charade.
Valve’s like why bother wasting time on this backwater country’s regulations and instead give them exactly what they ask for as silent political protest.
They’ve done the right thing and highlight the OFLC as the bad guys. Question is how long will it take for Australia to grow up to 18+ classifications.
brent3000
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 7:25 AMLest we forget this was the same in L4D 1 if u run it in Low Violence mode. ONly difference now is that we dont have a choice with LV mode :(
plodski2004
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 2:38 PMwell this is really annoying, followed the advice of the article posted and found that online play is nearly impossible, single player was much better with the censorship removed, still it is going to be annoying unless Valve pulls a “lost and dammed” and unlocks the game post release
r1nce
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 2:44 PMJust a heads up to everyone that there is an anti-censorship political party running against the Attorney General in the next SA election.
Check out the website, and be sure to stay tuned. We’re going to have one-click links to send emails to all the Attorneys General before they meet for the next SCAG meeting on Thursday.
Use your voice – vote!
Daniel
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 4:49 PMHAHAHA! the cencored version looks like oblivion! except they disappear in l4d2:aus
Daniel
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 4:55 PMhaha also, the game isn’t even out yet, and we’ve already got a workaround on the ready! All the government has done is hurt sales in australia.
I reckon we should bite the bullet though and keep this under wraps AS MUCH AS WE WOULD LOVE TO SHOVE IT IN THEIR (government) FACES… doing this will only result in them forcing valve to prevent this – you and i both know valve probably left it a bit open and easy
ArghZombies
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 5:32 PMThank you kindly Mr Wildgoose
Tom Seagrave
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 9:09 AMI must admit im kinda glad they got rid of the on screen splatter effects. That would start to piss me off eventually. Everything else sucks tho. Disapearing bodies and blood…it reminds me of Goldeneye graphics
David Luke
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 9:57 AMTipped your hand too early I think. Should have waited for the full version before going public with how to uncensor it so Saint Atkinson didn’t have warning so he could potentially intervene.
Leon
Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 2:14 PMImport from NZ, thats what im doing
rob
Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 1:43 PMexcuse me – i emailed Mr Atkinson (very politley… why as a 26 year old, i wasn’t capable of making my own decisions as to whether i play a game due to its graphics or not. it has been 2 months now and i have had no reply… i watched an interview in which Mr atkinson explained why australia didnt have an 18+ rating – at one point he says he completly open to the publics opinions and all… so can any1 tell me why i am not aloud to buy as an adult…. an adult game? thankyou