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!]
SnakeFist
Monday, June 7, 2010 at 10:41 AMim Glad to be an American we get all the bloody gore in its hd format
dirty harry 64
Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 5:11 PMthe state and federal government are thinking of making it. With that cock of an attorney general gone, there is almost no one to stop us/them.
Rodger
Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 2:44 PMAustralian Censorship is a chaotic lump of chard wood… my comment does not make sense? neither does the Censorship bodies, this is a Game aimed an young adults who own a Credit Card. there for need to be 18+ instead, the Censorship bodies the same groups that approve the same violence that is shown in these games to appear on TV and in Cinema, assume that Children have unlimited Access to their Parents Credit Card and buy what ever they like online.
this is a short sighted and ignorant perception, and all Video Games (Computer and Console) should be governed under the same exact parameters as TV and Cinema. especially now that one can watch both TV and Cinema on their Computers and Consoles.
If one still does not comprehend what I am getting at that is ok, because no one realy understands what the A.C.M.A and A.C.B. are trying to prove by allowing Left 4 Dead to be classified, then banning Left 4 Dead 2, which is filled with essentially the same content.
Ryan Shaw
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 7:07 PMAustralia – the ONLY democratic country in the world to not have an 18+ game category, however there is an 18+ movie category. Go figure?
Krule World
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 7:46 PMI don’t know why Valve don’t repeal this restriction, since classifications afaik only apply to stuff bought in stores. it doesn’t apply to online content or stuff bought online (ie steam).
so, by the time our stupid australian govt gets their act together it wont matter, since most games will be bought online.
btw, i tried this Mod and it no longer works, the game says ‘no connection available, please check your internet’ or something to that effect.
The Sebmeister
Friday, November 25, 2011 at 7:44 PMCan I post how to do it in the full game? Or is that wrong and/or illegal?
The Sebmeister
Friday, November 25, 2011 at 7:46 PMOh and btw, Left 4 Dead 2 has heaps more gore in the full version. Even made me cringe.