Responding Australia’s refusal to classify upcoming shooter Aliens vs. Predator, developer Rebellion says it will not cut violent content for “territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices.” Ouch.
The refusal to classify Aliens vs. Predator in Australia is effectively a ban, as the country will not allow the sale of a game that doesn’t fall under its maximum allowed game rating of MA15+, and Rebellion agrees that its game doesn’t qualify for that rating. The following is from a statement issued by the developer.
“Rebellion is disappointed that its upcoming title Aliens vs. Predator has been banned in Australia. However, as we understand the law in that country the authorities had no choice as we agree strongly that our game is not suitable for game players who are not adults.”
Rebellion’s problem is the same that many Australian games and gamers are forced to deal with – the fact that while films can carry R18+ and X18+ ratings, labelling them as adults only, video games can not. This has caused many developers over the years to modify titles, including Bethesda, which altered the drug references in Fallout 3 to suit Australian censors. Rebellion, true to its name, refuses to make changes.
“The content of AVP is based on some of the most innovative and iconic horror movies, and as such we wanted to create a title that was true to the source material. It is for adults, and it is bloody and frightening, that was our intent. We will not be releasing a sanitised or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices.”
Harsh words, but words that countless other developers and gamers can get behind.
Rebellion rises against Australia AVP ban News [GamesIndustry.biz]
this is stupid how can 1 man stop thousands of people from making a choice. a choice which should rightfully be theirs whether to play this game or not. honestly i think it should be a majority rules in this case as its only 1 persons personal opinion from stopping this R18 classification after all he is soposed to be a representitive of the people which includes their best interests which clearly he is failing to do. if you cannot do your job accordingly then you must be replaced. thats my rant for the day
Good. American developers/publishers need to-do this more, it needs to hit home that the world won't bow down to our stupid legislation in place for games. Our backwards arse Attorney Generals need a reality check on this situation... they aren't authoritarians of the Reich, they are members of one of the primary western countries and its people shouldn't be A) told what is or isn't good for them and B) shouldn't have to resort to illegal methods to enjoy legal (restricted from children) entertainment.
Lets get one thing clear, the government doesn't exact its athority on Australian children, their parents do.... and if by any chance a child gets unauthorised material (of any sort, movies, games or alcohol) then its the PARENTS fault for not A) instilling good ethics in their child and B) not controlling what their children have or haven't access too.
Government policies DO NOT restrict people from playing R18+ games, and regardless of customs Australian people WILL import games illegally, and send their money out of this country to purchase the otherwise unpurchasable.
Rebellion have made the right call to be honest, I don't think I could stomach another game being censored the way Left 4 Dead 2 was. At least importing is still an option. Chances are it'll be cheaper getting it that way anyway.
Bummer, This had actually started to look like a promising game IMO.
But I can't say I blame them after seeing how L4D2 turned out.
This is excellent news! More developers and publishers need to stop bowing down to the Australian Classification Board's ridiculous standards.
Ah well, thank god PS3 is region-free - I'll just get that... lets hope for this reason they'll make the 360 disc region free as well so we can all import it.
The classification board was probably counting on the assumption that rebellion would do what every other game company has done when RC'd in Australia, that is, fold and dumb down the game. It's worked well so far until this
But this would cause them to think about the whole matter.
Not that they probably care, they probably dont care either way
I like how their statement makes some god damn sense.
Good for them (Rebellion).
Bad for us (Australia).
Screw Atkinson and long live Gamers4Croydon!!!
Oh god just think about the next Gta...
This is the most likely scenario:
This news
Atkinsons Head
He doesn't care and that makes me angry.
Good on 'em too. Only by not releasing censored versions of games will gamers here in AU get fired up enough to really tackle this issue.
OFLC Australia: "If it bleeds.... we can ban it"