One June 20, Rebellion’s Shellshock 2 was refused classification in Australia. When we asked Eidos’ distributor Atari if there were plans to edit the game and try for an MA 15+ rating, it replied in the negative.

We know the OFLC has a thing against excessive blood, decapitation and dismemberment, so I assumed it was one (or a combination) of these elements that earned Shellshock 2 an RC. Atari did provide a comment, but has since retracted the statement.

Then, a mere four days later, the OFLC refused the title classification, effectively preventing its sale in the country.

Today, Activision has let us know that a reworked version submitted to the OFLC has been granted a perfectly alright MA 15+ rating. Which means it should be on track for its release next year.

According to the publisher, the tweaked version has reduced ragdoll physics and blood effects, and no dismemberment.

You can read the whole shebang after the jump.

Sydney, Australia – Nov 22, 2007 – Australian gamers will soon be able to battle through some of the world’s most dangerous hotspots as a revised version of Soldier of Fortune® Payback has been granted classification by the Office of Film and Literature Classification. This revised version has been classified as MA 15+ (Strong violence, Coarse language and sexual references) and meets the rating requirements as stated by the OFLC.

Soldier of Fortune Payback thrusts players into adrenaline-pumping mercenary combat action after a routine escort mission goes horribly wrong. The game evolves the signature gameplay of its predecessors with refined controls, tension-packed warzones, and an enemy damage system that may be shocking even to experienced FPS players.

Players are armed with an impressive arsenal of more than 30 weapons, including sub-machine guns, assault rifles, and projectile explosives, as they hunt down an insidious enemy that respects neither laws, nations, nor armies. The game also offers individual and team based online modes including: Death Match, Team Death Match, Elimination, Team Elimination, Capture the Flag and Demolition.

Soldier of Fortune Payback will be available early 2008 for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for a suggested retail price of $79.95, the PC for $49.95 and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system for $89.95.
For more information visit http://www.mercenarieswanted.com/