Aliens vs. Predator is the latest game to be refused rating by the ultra-strict classification board of Australia. Did nobody see this coming? Really?
"Sega Australia can today confirm that the initial submission of Aliens vs Predator has been refused classification by the Classification Operations Board of Australia. We will continue to investigate all options available to us, including the possibility of appeal," the company said in an e-mailed statement to Gamespot.
A released copy of the ruling has indeed revealed that - shock - Aliens vs. Predator's high-impact violence was the reason behind the refusal. Get yourself a cuppa - there's fun reading ahead...
The classification board summarised: "The game contains first-person perspective, close-up depictions of human characters being subjected to various types of violence, including explicit decapitation and dismemberment as well as locational damage such as stabbing through the chest, mouth, throat, or eyes."
Alien vs. Predator
Official trailer
1:60Two minutes of man-hunting mayhem
Alien vs. Predator
Official trailer
1:60Two minutes of man-hunting mayhem
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It continued: "Characters can be stabbed with a Predator's wrist blade or an Alien's tail in depictions reminiscent of impalement. The Predator collects 'trophies' by explicitly ripping off human heads, their spinal columns dangling from severed necks. Heads can be twisted completely around in order to break a character's neck. Eyes can be stabbed through or gouged, leaving empty, bloodied eye sockets.
"It is noted that a player is able to combine manoeuvres together in quick succession, which further increases impact; for example, a Predator can stab a character through both eyes with its wrist blade and rip off their head, with spinal column still attached. Extensive post-mortem damage, including decapitation and dismemberment, is also possible."
Those Aussie classification board testers certainly are... erm, "thorough", aren't they? Even we wouldn't have tried to stab a characters eyes out - after we'd already killed them.
everyone in australia must be playing too much wii. not every game made can be family friendly and in current finincial times those aussies that want this game will have to buy of the internet and pay for shipping fee's. well done australia
I saw this coming lol, the game features what can only be described as some of the most violent content ever (based on previews). I don't think there's more violent game incoming other than God of War 3.
I think a big impact on todyas games as opposed to games of yesteryear is their graphics and realism (compare AVP on the Jaguar to AVP 1 and 2 on the PC then compare the PC AVP 1 and 2 to this next gen cross gen AVP). The more realistic depictions of people the better the expression of their fear and emotions, while their heads are being ripped off.
Another big contributing factor is the interactive nature of games (as opposed to non-inactive media such as music and films), players can choose to perform these actions and get a ultra violent depiction. Does this raise concerns regarding the future of gaming?
Maybe but I wont be decapping anyone soon to emulate it and I can wait to pick up my copy, but still the direction games are heading may become very blurred and difficult. Expect to see big debates on the next generation's GTA.
I went to Australia once.. I have great fun.... Then a leather clad, pale faced man tried to take me away in his bus.. He said fun was banned... He said my kind of tom-foolery was not welcome there... They sent me to a work camp... That was not fun.. I am not allowed back.. It was a deeply troubling and embarrassing time in my life.. Actually come to think of it, I dont want to talk about it anymore
I saw this coming lol, the game features what can only be described as some of the most violent content ever (based on previews). I don't think there's more violent game incoming other than God of War 3.
I think a big impact on today's games, as opposed to games of yesteryear are their graphics and realism (compare AVP on the Jaguar to AVP 1 and 2 on the PC then compare the PC AVP 1 and 2 to this next gen cross gen AVP). The more realistic depictions of virtual characters on better processors then the better expressions of fear and emotions can be captured, while in this case, their heads are being ripped off and chests being stabbed out.
Another big contributing factor is the interactive nature of games (as opposed to non-interactive media such as music and films), players can choose to perform these actions and depending on their choice, get an ultra violent depiction of their actions. Does this raise concerns regarding the future of gaming? hmmmmm
Maybe but I wont be decapitating anyone soon emulating it, and I can wait to pick up my copy, but still, the direction games are heading may become very blurred and difficult. Expect to see big debates on the next generation's GTA.
I saw this coming lol, the game features what can only be described as some of the most violent content ever (based on previews). I don't think there's more violent game incoming other than God of War 3.
I think a big impact on today's games, as opposed to games of yesteryear are their graphics and realism (compare AVP on the Jaguar to AVP 1 and 2 on the PC then compare the PC AVP 1 and 2 to this next gen cross gen AVP). The more realistic depictions of virtual characters on better processors then the better expressions of fear and emotions can be captured, while in this case, their heads are being ripped off and chests being stabbed out.
Another big contributing factor is the interactive nature of games (as opposed to non-interactive media such as music and films), players can choose to perform these actions and depending on their choice, get an ultra violent depiction of their actions. Does this raise concerns regarding the future of gaming? hmmmmm
Maybe but I wont be decapitating anyone soon emulating it, and I can wait to pick up my copy, but still, the direction games are heading may become very blurred and difficult. Expect to see big debates on the next generation's GTA.
And again (sorry, speed typing): I CAN'T wait to pick up my copy lol I love AVP and hate Daily Mail, just to make that clear
So I'm assuming the A V P films were banned as well then was they? (Before everyone starts going mad, I know its a different rating system but you get my point, the last A V P film was very gory and violent).
I love it that this is coming from Oz, the country so bloody hazardous that butterflys have a good chance of tearing your throat out!
A country founded on hard bastard crims who were dumped there to fend for themselves, The land of Ned Kelly, Aborigines, Crocadile Dundee, the ANSACS, even their fluffy koalas can do you some damage!
But give them an adult video game with some blood and gore, and they scream 'EWWWWW' and run of into the sunset shaking their hands limply.
It's insane. Whilst their banning things, may I suggest Home & Away!
I'm beginning to think it's high time the gaming industry laid on a boycott of Australia en masse. See how they like it with no games; then see if they're so strict with ratings!
The Australian ratings policy has become a running joke. While Aussie-land may have lots of other things going for it, this clearly isn't one of them. I have family in Australia and they love it there but they do note it can be very racist compared to what they were used to in Europe (which itself is not without racism; note: there is a difference between wanting to preserve, protect and enrich your society by limiting the amount and qualifications of immigrants/asylum seekers and being racist although the two are often intermingled).
Is it just me, or does the way the Australian ratings board describe the game give anyone else a bit of a "special feeling" in their trouser area. I mean, good lord! That's the best preview of a game I've ever read! I want this game even more now.
Speaking of "Rogue Warrior", what't the verdict? I've only heard of one third hand recounting from a poster's friend and it was anything but positive. I've started to see TV ads for the game yet the last time I checked (a day or two ago,) there were still no reviews of the game. It's an omnious sign and I fear the worst.
It's simply the worst game since Shellshock 2. We never recieved an official review copy. But the whole budget clearly went on hiring Mickey Rourke, just a shame the writers didn't actually give his character a bit of depth, as the voice acting in general is Resident Evil style bad, and his constant need to swear as cringeworthy as Killzone 2.
What I've seen of AvP is pretty much the same, they just know how to make the game look good in trailers, lots of copying/pasting the coolest looking sections together. It's what comes inbetween them I'd be most worried about, and Rebellion don't seem to be able to lock down the basics of how a FPS should feel or control. + I dread to think how utterly bad the AI will be in the final product. Look forward to Aliens: Colonial Marines but be wary of this based on Rebellion's track record
I think some of you are missing another vital point here. Not only is one of the problems the fact that there isn't an 18+ rating system over there, but the fact that you're able to do all that grotesque stuff to a human. Not that I've played the game but I'm sure there's a good chance you can do stuff just as bad to the Aliens and Predators, but that doesn't matter because they're not real.
Oh wait a second, the humans aren't real either because it's virtual reality? Oops
I think some of you are missing another vital point here. Not only is one of the problems the fact that there isn't an 18+ rating system over there, but the fact that you're able to do all that grotesque stuff to a human. Not that I've played the game but I'm sure there's a good chance you can do stuff just as bad to the Aliens and Predators, but that doesn't matter because they're not real.
Oh wait a second, the humans aren't real either because it's virtual reality? Oops
I think some of you are missing another vital point here. Not only is one of the problems the fact that there isn't an 18+ rating system over there, but the fact that you're able to do all that grotesque stuff to a human. Not that I've played the game but I'm sure there's a good chance you can do stuff just as bad to the Aliens and Predators, but that doesn't matter because they're not real.
Oh wait a second, the humans aren't real either because it's virtual reality? Oops
I think some of you are missing another vital point here. Not only is one of the problems the fact that there isn't an 18+ rating system over there, but the fact that you're able to do all that grotesque stuff to a human. Not that I've played the game but I'm sure there's a good chance you can do stuff just as bad to the Aliens and Predators, but that doesn't matter because they're not real.
Oh wait a second, the humans aren't real either because it's virtual reality? Oops
Explain the initial ban of Left 4 Dead 2, then
Zombies aren't real? Unless you have proof otherwise
I think some of you are missing another vital point here. Not only is one of the problems the fact that there isn't an 18+ rating system over there, but the fact that you're able to do all that grotesque stuff to a human. Not that I've played the game but I'm sure there's a good chance you can do stuff just as bad to the Aliens and Predators, but that doesn't matter because they're not real.
Oh wait a second, the humans aren't real either because it's virtual reality? Oops
Explain the initial ban of Left 4 Dead 2, then
Zombies aren't real? Unless you have proof otherwise
Exactly! If AvP got banned because it involved the attack and mutilation of humans, then why did L4D - the game that revolves around 99.9% slaughter of non-existent zombies - also get banned?
I think some of you are missing another vital point here. Not only is one of the problems the fact that there isn't an 18+ rating system over there, but the fact that you're able to do all that grotesque stuff to a human. Not that I've played the game but I'm sure there's a good chance you can do stuff just as bad to the Aliens and Predators, but that doesn't matter because they're not real.
Oh wait a second, the humans aren't real either because it's virtual reality? Oops
Explain the initial ban of Left 4 Dead 2, then
Zombies aren't real? Unless you have proof otherwise
I beg to differ! Look at some office workers...Positively dismal!
Oh dear. Sounds far too fun, er, I mean scary, for us adults to handle. Thank you Australian censors for protecting your fellow citizens from this outrageous, extreame violence!
Ho hum! G'day guys, I'm definitely buying the game now. Moreover, I'm so pleased that Rebellion are at the helm. I think the Atari Jaguar version was - meh, not bad at all (for its time). But boll*cks to censorship! Perhaps Rebellion should have slapped a cert 18 rating on the game to avoid this farce. No doubt, they probably have their own version of a 'Mary Whitehouse' sitting somewhere on a panel of 'experts' that decide what they can and can't play. Anyway, who gives a damn, as long as the 'great' BBFC in Blighty don't ban it! Now, where did I put that jar of optic fluid???
Christ what is happening in Oz, blimey if Crocodile Dundee had been made today that would be banned too I'm sure.
Call that a *NICE PEN*?
(Pulls out a *NICE PEN*)
That's a *NICE PEN*.
sounds about right but maybe change pen for duster to avoid a MA 15+ rating.
On a side here is a snippet about Oz censorship shamelessly copy/pasted from Wiki:
Despite a line in the National Classification Code stating that "adults should be able to read, hear and see what they want", the adult R18+ classification does not currently exist for video games.
The OFLC took a strict stance with video games. Video game classification in Australia is the most strict in the Western World in terms of not having an adult's rating (R18+). Currently only Michael Atkinson, South Australian Attorney-General opposes the R18 classification introduction and is also blocking the release of a public paper that canvasses the opinion of the Australian public on whether or not an R18 classification should be introduced. Studies done by Bond University indicate that a majority of people whom they interviewed want an R18 rating to be introduced and many psychologists back this study and condemn the position of Michael Atkinson. In a recent 6 page response to a letter he recieved regarding R18+ classification, Atkinson stated that "this issue has little traction with my consituents who are more concerned with real-life issues than home entertainment in imaginary worlds"[3]
Electronic Frontiers Australia is running a campaign to have the R18+ classification for games introduced in Australia.
That's atrocious. Essentially one individual is holding up a process that likely has a majority mandate in the Australian democratic society. Given that it is a democratic society, and in light of the fact that an R18+ system makes sense and stands to benefit the public for whom the ratings board is supposed to serve in good faith and for their best interest while not unduly harming innocents, there is no other way to describe what Michael Atkinson is doing other than to label it for what it is: tyranny.
Exactly! If AvP got banned because it involved the attack and mutilation of humans, then why did L4D - the game that revolves around 99.9% slaughter of non-existent zombies - also get banned?
Apparently they couldn't define the difference between humans and zombies!
That's atrocious. Essentially one individual is holding up a process that likely has a majority mandate in the Australian democratic society. Given that it is a democratic society, and in light of the fact that an R18+ system makes sense and stands to benefit the public for whom the ratings board is supposed to serve in good faith and for their best interest while not unduly harming innocents, there is no other way to describe what Michael Atkinson is doing other than to label it for what it is: tyranny.
Exactly. What a farce sorry Oz but you need to shoot this individual with your pulse rifles now. Oh and I mean MR Atkinson not KFD.
That's atrocious. Essentially one individual is holding up a process that likely has a majority mandate in the Australian democratic society. Given that it is a democratic society, and in light of the fact that an R18+ system makes sense and stands to benefit the public for whom the ratings board is supposed to serve in good faith and for their best interest while not unduly harming innocents, there is no other way to describe what Michael Atkinson is doing other than to label it for what it is: tyranny.
Exactly. What a farce sorry Oz but you need to shoot this individual with your pulse rifles now. Oh and I mean MR Atkinson not KFD.
Welcome to the flawless world of democracy chaps. Out of a 1000 people, 999 could be wrong against one person who could be right... But unfortunately, when an entire society commits the same faults, they are commonly pardoned. I abhor censorship in games (especially if the content is appropriately certified). Look at Manhunt as a classic example...There is more violence in the abysmal Hostel films than this game, but you can still rent Eli Roth's awful films at your local Blockbuster. Manhunt however, was purposely targetted for being a 'violent game' and used by politicans and censor hounds as the perfect media catalyst...I despair.
Exactly! If AvP got banned because it involved the attack and mutilation of humans, then why did L4D - the game that revolves around 99.9% slaughter of non-existent zombies - also get banned?
Apparently they couldn't define the difference between humans and zombies!
Welcome to the flawless world of democracy chaps. Out of a 1000 people, 999 could be wrong against one person who could be right... But unfortunately, when an entire society commits the same faults, they are commonly pardoned. I abhor censorship in games (especially if the content is appropriately certified). Look at Manhunt as a classic example...There is more violence in the abysmal Hostel films than this game, but you can still rent Eli Roth's awful films at your local Blockbuster. Manhunt however, was purposely targetted for being a 'violent game' and used by politicans and censor hounds as the perfect media catalyst...I despair.
True, the majority in a given situation are not automatically correct, which is why I qualified one of my previous comments by adding that in this instance an R18+ system would stand to benefit the public while also avoiding harm to innocents. Michael Atkinson's social censorship sentiment appears to be a relic best mentioned in the same breath as the family knick knacks kept in a dusty chest or closet in the attic, IMO.
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glad I don't live is Australia right now.
