Aliens vs Predator refused classification in Australia

Word just from Sega: the Classification Board has assessed the upcoming Aliens vs Predator as unsuitable for Australian audiences. Refused Classification. The word from Sega's man of all seasons, Vispi Bhopti:

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.

Ridiculous. More as it unfolds.

so what they are ok to let the movies through, but the game is too much..

why have they banned it.. i am so over the board saying no, and not telling us why.

Joab's no doubt digging into the board's database as I type getting the exact reason.

The movie vs game argument works against us because they can (and do) rate violent films as R all the time. No R rating=no classification.

Especially now that everyone is screaming about how the Board may have in the past exercised some discretion BECAUSE there was no R rating - but the level of scrutiny attached to their decisions means that's probably gone.

At least they aren't releasing a retarded censored version, so we can still import this ****.

Suck my balls Atkinson.

I'll quote myself from the general thread for effect:

For ***** Sake.

How can the movies be on shelves, retailing in one giant pack with 16 f*cking DVDs in it for fourty f*cking bucks but this gets RC'd?!?!

I cannot express my rage in words.

adkltjbnero;rneve;oivmklarejko;rbJ;WRvkmkp w

I've made enquiries with TCB and we'll have them up for you as soon as we can!

I don't know that you need a 1mb pdf to say "YOU CAN RIP A PERSONS SPINE OUT" though.

Excellent.

Joab's no doubt digging into the board's database as I type getting the exact reason.

I'd figure he's asleep. :)

The movie vs game argument works against us because they can (and do) rate violent films as R all the time.

The official view currently is that the interactive nature of games makes them worse by default, so not only do we only get M15 games but our definition of M15 is more tame than other countries too.

I'd figure he's asleep. :)

Oi

The official view currently is that the interactive nature of games makes them worse by default, so not only do we only get M15 games but our definition of M15 is more tame than other countries too.

Except this absolutely isn't what's actually happening. If you looked at all the games which are rated r in NZ and UK you'd find that Australia has crazy relaxed standards.

I'd figure he's asleep. :)

Oi

The official view currently is that the interactive nature of games makes them worse by default, so not only do we only get M15 games but our definition of M15 is more tame than other countries too.

Except this absolutely isn't what's actually happening. If you looked at all the games which are rated r in NZ and UK you'd find that Australia has crazy relaxed standards.

the standards might be crazy relaxed, but the tools working at the board are crazy anal and stupid.

i was looking forward to this, i remember play the original when the only time u knew an alien was behind u was when the screen started flashing red cause u were getting hit..

I don't understand why they need Atkinson's say-so to release the white paper..?

Also, engage standard enraged response at censorship.

This is getting stupid now. More and more games are getting refused classification each time.

This is becoming epidemic.

I think its also because video games have evolved into a more mainstream entertainment than they were 5-10 years ago. So there are more older people playing games and the developers are making games for older people.

Which means they need a higher rating, but since we have no R rating they are RC'd.

I think its also because video games have evolved into a more mainstream entertainment than they were 5-10 years ago. So there are more older people playing games and the developers are making games for older people. Which means they need a higher rating, but since we have no R rating they are RC'd.

yes we all know that.. it has been the argument for years.

i love how atkinson says he wont change his mind as kids will access it easier.. kids will get the game no matter what.. maybe rather than say kids.. blame the parents.. they ignore the ratins.. i have sold the gta games to parents and i mention whats in them and some of them are shocked that there 10 year old wants it.

the parents need to be made aware that things like this are ok, if the child is in the age bracket that its rated for.. thus the system. i mean u wont take ur 10 year old to a ma15+ movie.. so why let them play the game.

I'll quote myself from the general thread for effect:

For ***** Sake.

How can the movies be on shelves, retailing in one giant pack with 16 f*cking DVDs in it for fourty f*cking bucks but this gets RC'd?!?!

I cannot express my rage in words.

adkltjbnero;rneve;oivmklarejko;rbJ;WRvkmkp w

Well said.

HeinekowkwbwkshwoqbUwnxooapajsiwjwiqsxjcikdkwoqj

I'll quote myself from the general thread for effect:

For ***** Sake. How can the movies be on shelves, retailing in one giant pack with 16 f*cking DVDs in it for fourty f*cking bucks but this gets RC'd?!?! I cannot express my rage in words. adkltjbnero;rneve;oivmklarejko;rbJ;WRvkmkp w

Well said. HeinekowkwbwkshwoqbUwnxooapajsiwjwiqsxjcikdkwoqj

maybe its comments like that, makes people think gamers are to immature lol

I'm really sick of this crap... atkinson deserves the biggest douche in the universe award.

i mean u wont take ur 10 year old to a ma15+ movie..

Umm I've seen it happen. I've also seen 8 year olds at Choppers Harden the **** Up Australia tour. This is Adelaide of course, plenty of dead beat parents in the northern burbs.

Oi

:p

Except this absolutely isn't what's actually happening. If you looked at all the games which are rated r in NZ and UK you'd find that Australia has crazy relaxed standards.

You're right. Though I do see this fast becoming a non-issue the more this censorship bullshit comes under scrutiny. MW2 was more like an exception to the rule these days.

wow this is just plain stupid.

i will be either pirating it or getting it overseas or get a freind to gift it if it is on steam.

but since this game supports dedicated servers it means multiplayer will be a flop since u cant host the game if its banned.

& i refuse to buy the censored version.

I have a good feeling that Atkinson will arrive at the pearly gates with a good conscience and the thought of having done the kids of Australia proud...

Then God will take one look at him and refuse him classification.

this is getting out of hand

Great... I was looking forward to this game - guess I'll have to import it.

ripping out a spine - that's an awesome way to end a fight! kind of like how sub zero? did in the original MK? or was it MK2?

Movies are as interactive as games (though this is debatable) as your imagination puts you in the perpective of an onlooker or "stand in" in the crowd, dpeending on the person - it can also put you in the position of the main character.

I see no reason for this being rated unsuitable for audiences. As stated previously, it is at the discretion of the adult or parent, not allowing or allowing their child access to exteme violence and games.

Im not sure id say it would be suitable for a child, but surely an adult over the age of 18 has some right in saying what they find acceptable or not.

Perhaps the classification board should have a reality check delivered to them via an open forum from the Aus populace.

Umm I've seen it happen. I've also seen 8 year olds at Choppers Harden the **** Up Australia tour.

I can only imagine what chopper said to those who denied their children...

And yes, this is going way too far. There is absolutely no reason to not have a R rating classification... Penn and Tellers Bullsh!t show addresses this issue. Definitely worth a watch. Season 6 I think.

This will just be another game I will be ordering overseas.

I have a good feeling that Atkinson will arrive at the pearly gates with a good conscience and the thought of having done the kids of Australia proud... Then God will take one look at him and refuse him classification.

LOL. Purgatory for eternity?

This just encourages people to import there games from overseas. That way we sending our money out of the country. Help strengthen our economy by keeping some of the money in the country, if we had a R rating that is. (yeah i realise this maybe a poor example but its how i feel lol.)

Thank you, Steam.

The problem is technology is getting so advanced that characters are becoming more and more realistic and life like (shellshock 2, l4d2, now avp), if u look at the list of banned games, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_banned_video_games#Australia, none of them are much older than 2000 at most.

Johnson
Posted: Fri 04 Dec 09, 1:29pm

I have a good feeling that Atkinson will arrive at the pearly gates with a good conscience and the thought of having done the kids of Australia proud... Then God will take one look at him and refuse him classification.


LOL. Purgatory for eternity?
_______________

No idea - have to wait to see if he releases an edited version....

Clarify something for me.

If a game is RC is it illegal to:

A) Sell the game.
B) Purchase the game (here or abroad).
C) Import the game and/or;
D) Own the game.

Even if customs can confiscate your boxed copy.. they can't stop the internet (yet).

It would seem that this will become the new 'taping shows from TV on your VCR'. Technically illegal.. but impossible to enforce properly.

The Classification Board and Senator Atkinson are being outflanked by the Internet. People will watch and play what they want when they want. This includes children who will download games that, in part because the game has never been classified in Australia, have content that is unknown to parents.

I would much rather see a swathe of games classified R18+ in my local JB Hi-Fi or EB on the higher shelves than games I wish to play RC'd and games that should NOT be played by minors slipped in at MA15+

My impression was that the new ratings system was brought in to standardise media classification. Well, how about the people responsibile fix the hole in thier system and put an R18+ rating in place for games? That way Adults can play the games they should be allowed to as participants in this Democratic Country and parents can have an honest assessment of what a game contains before letting thier kids play it.

As far as the numbers go, Senator Atkinson's views on R18 games do not coincide with the views of the majority of Australians (or the other state AGs), and in his role as Attorney General, I do not believe he should be allowed let his personal ideologies affect the freedoms of Australian citizens.

Seeing that the SA state governments seem to do the same things regardless of whose in, I think I'll vote for 'not Labor' at the next election simply to get this issue fixed.

This is getting beyond a joke now !

lab or lib - it's all the same.

going to mosey on down to the ETS thread now...


*Moseys on down.......*

I honestly don't know what the big fuss is. It's extremely violent, doesn't meet our standards, but is on Steam so all the cool kids will get it uncensored anyway.

Sux.
On the other hand, I went to Harvey Norman the other day and asked about games for 6-8 year olds (my 2 sons) I was handed a M rated game (Tomb Raider btw) and got a wierd look when I pointed that fact out.
Would sales people have tried to sell a M rated movie as suitable for under 10's?

Educate the salesforce to the fact trhat games have ratings too, then we might have better luck with the R18+

God bless Steam. (And being locked to the US region)

god bless steam??

so ur saying i will be able to get this game off steam uncensored?...unlike l4d2

No, you'll have to do the 'workaround' to purchase the american version off steam. Many people say you have to have it gifted by someone overseas etc. However you can just list your country as US, and supply a relevant state and postcode to purchase the US version.

Note this won't work if you do it through steam itself, as it's permanently set to your Australian region. You have to access the US steam store site through IE or Firefox or whatnot and purchase it that way.

RC destroys the local community base, game will die.

Then God will take one look at him and refuse him classification.

win.

Damn, another game that I feel forced to import.

what a **** country this is.

what a **** country this is.

yeah cause video games are all that matter

OMFG! ive said this in a post previously, but im going to say it once more. how in the **** can you release a game like MW2 where you actually mow down civilians with agod damn machine gun, yet you take the gore out of left for dead 2, and make it less gore than the original, which was actually rated MA15, now you banning one of the best games coming out next year, because you can take someones spine out, playing as an alien. AVP2 was just as violent, and as the other bloke was saying about the fatalities in MK series where bad aswell. this is soooo ****ed up 3 ways from sunday! i hope atkinson chokes in his sleep.

Do games get RC in heaven?

MW2 barely slipped through the cracks as generally, it's not very different from other shooters except for that one scene. The brutal censorship on L4D2 was Valve's decision. They could have released a copy that was the same as the last one, but I honestly don't know why. MK doesn't even hold a candle to modern games because it doesn't look nearly the same.

People need to quit their bitching. This game clearly deserved RC and doesn't deserve an appeal - it's a good candidate for "Violent games that doesn't involve /depraved sex/".

People need to quit their bitching. This game clearly deserved RC and doesn't deserve an appeal - it's a good candidate for "Violent games that doesn't involve /depraved sex/".

Missing the point man. The reason people ***** is because we get treated like children with having no R18+ for video games. We all know when a game is violent, the point is that we are having a privilege taken away by the minority & we get no say in the matter.

What ever happened to adult responsibilities ?

There's no point air-bagging over that point either. People need to rather follow through on things like the QLD petition or SA political gamers movement, rather than just saying "wah we get treated like little babies" where:

A. Most people are sick of hearing it;
B. It doesn't get 'officially' heard.

Yet the gaming community gets wrecked by the minority who don't act professional about the matter and would either send bombs to Atkinson, death threats, or both. Or y'know, just be completely pointless whiny *******.

Yes, it's a problem. Yes, it needs to be fixed. We're the ones that need to get involved.

There's no point air-bagging over that point either.

Well I guess that means that any conversation with a negative side is pointless. It is human nature to agree or disagree but when you are treated like a child by an incompetent politician who is out of touch with society, you do have the urge to have your 2 cents on the matter.

It doesn't get 'officially' heard

That could be said about every debate that goes on between us all. Most people need fuel for the fire and this issue is currently bringing a tanker full of it. Also this is a gaming forum so it is going to make a lot of people irate.

Yet the gaming community gets wrecked by the minority who don't act professional about the matter and would either send bombs to Atkinson, death threats, or both. Or y'know, just be completely pointless whiny *******.

This is sad but true :(

Quote: McFly
Well I guess that means that any conversation with a negative side is pointless. It is human nature to agree or disagree but when you are treated like a child by an incompetent politician who is out of touch with society, you do have the urge to have your 2 cents on the matter.

The problem is that it's the same 2 cents boasted by at least five people in each particular forum you might visit (or social networks you subscribe to) when each new game gets RC'd. It gets old when you have to hear it at least 15-20 times with the same old arguments, is all I'm saying. (and I'm really not exaggerating here)

People just get too irate and what I especially don't understand is the select few that would rather put the blame on the Classification Board, despite the fact that they're just people doing their jobs and can't do much else about it.

this is a good thing you nublets

get it in mainstream media, explain its due to the adult themes (and there is no sex so the church won't care) Its not being allowed

Aliens and Predator are both iconic films and both rated M here when they really should have been R18+ The whole system needs a re write it should be harder to get m15+ and easier to be r18+

but then we'd need an r18+

There is no way MW2 was written with under 18's in mind.

Nothing will change as no one is going about this the right way. Need to change the legislation so one guy isn't a problem, then you can lower the standards to get m15+ and make it easier for many m15+ to become r18+

if you were really thinking of the children this is what you would do.

But alas cap' grandstand look at me I'll get reellected cause I'm always in headlines as the saviour of our kids in an area with an average voter age of 40 means he is just securing his seat more and more.

Lame but true, you can't go after that retard you need to change the rules as its not a democracy, there isn't a workable democracy where you need 100% of the vote, just 51%

ffffffffffffffffffffff

You might be able to import it now, but with the internet filtering scheme on the horizon they'll block web pages selling the game.

Write to your local member so at least the issue gets on their radar. Better still don't vote for whomever is in government (Labor at the moment) until adults are able to choose which games we play.

OMFG! ive said this in a post previously, but im going to say it once more. how in the **** can you release a game like MW2 where you actually mow down civilians with agod damn machine gun, yet you take the gore out of left for dead 2, and make it less gore than the original, which was actually rated MA15, now you banning one of the best games coming out next year, because you can take someones spine out, playing as an alien. AVP2 was just as violent, and as the other bloke was saying about the fatalities in MK series where bad aswell. this is soooo ****ed up 3 ways from sunday! i hope atkinson chokes in his sleep.

what fvcking difference does it make that in MW2 u kill "civilians" - aren't the militia dressed in civvy uniform anyway?

Wait, this is missing the point entirely... aren't "civys" Human beings? are soldiers not also human beings? or are we conditioned to believe that one life is different from the other due to occupation. Is a civilian a civilian if they are holding a gun?

In a game where the main goal is to destroy the oponent faction, does it really matter if they are armed or not.. History dictates a strong and resounding NO.

this game has decapitation... so what - in SOF1 you can blow limbs off and expose broken bones etc.. that game was released 5+ years ago..

If they are going to ban a computer game like this, why then do we not ban movies like SAW - where complete and utter sadistic violence is seen throughout the movie - The entire plot is in fact constructed around human suffering and yet, we are still able to see it.

why not just ban everything . . . . it wont stop people from grabbing/viewing it from overseas. Silly beurocrats.

its almost like the board doesnt actually play the games (just goes by screen shots or something) if they did actually play the games they would see how much sense it makes to have an R rating classification, instead of just banning the games outright

while i believe this is the best country in the world, history shows Australian censors dont have a very good track record when it comes to common sense, "those who forget the path of history are condemned to repeat it" --George Santayana--

Once again, clueless people who do not understand the media make decisions and censor something we are more than capable of deciding upon ourselves, make your voice heard folks, next time vote these idiots out. They've lost my vote on this topic alone. It's retarded. This government is a sham!

@ King Lucas

its almost like the board doesnt actually play the games (just goes by screen shots or something)

When they review the games for classification, they get a fact sheet and a hilights reel from the game. It's up to the publishers to disclose all relevant information during this period. It wouldnt make sense for the Board to try and play through every part of every game, it would take too long to review each game.

Australian censors dont have a very good track record when it comes to common sense

What do you mean? What other censorship mishaps are out there?

@ templar

They've lost my vote on this topic alone. It's retarded. This government is a sham!

It's got nothing to do with the current government. Its a single electorate from SA (Croydon), and the system of veto has been in place for decades. Don't get angry, get informed.

@ King Lucas

its almost like the board doesnt actually play the games (just goes by screen shots or something)

When they review the games for classification, they get a fact sheet and a hilights reel from the game. It's up to the publishers to disclose all relevant information during this period. It wouldnt make sense for the Board to try and play through every part of every game, it would take too long to review each game.

Australian censors dont have a very good track record when it comes to common sense

What do you mean? What other censorship mishaps are out there?

@ templar

They've lost my vote on this topic alone. It's retarded. This government is a sham!

It's got nothing to do with the current government. Its a single electorate from SA (Croydon), and the system of veto has been in place for decades. Don't get angry, get informed.

As most games nowadays play for less than 10 hours - I don't see the issue in road testing the media before slapping a ban sticker on it. Take too long to review each game? What the.....

Saying that it has nothing to do with the current government is not correct, as censorship is legislated under Governmental law (http://www.oflc.gov.au/www/cob/classification.nsf/Page/Home).

I'm not saying Krudd should get on top of this - as surely he's too busy kissing Obamas ass at the moment to even wipe his own, but surely when there are R and X rated films - an R rating for a video game couldn't be too difficult to arrange. It looks as if "new" games that are coming out require a new classification altogether to be released here in the land of the free.

However, i do believe that a petition, in this case might prove worthy of the boards attention. If the board is meant to be protecting the populace at whole - then a firm yell from a portion of the demographics being protected should give them, somewhat, a reality check?

Strange though, how over time these trends seem to change. I remember when Silence of the lambs (A film, Yes - i know) came out initially, it was rated R due to the extreme content found in the film (that scene where the guard is hanging up with his entrails out, hanging like an angel still freaks me out to this day).

Another one bites the dust...damn

I have all the previous AVP PC games and was kinda looking forward to seeing this and how they amped up the graphics on this one.

I do wish for a better rating system even a R rating game classification.

So importing is the only way of getting this game if you can buy this game online, unless online stores restricted the game from being purchased online from Australia.

If it reviews well im omporting. Stick that up ur ass classification board and michael atkinson who i reckon may have had something 2 do wit this

The funny thing is that all the under 18s would actually be unable to legally play MW2 if we had an R18+ rating.

I wonder what Atkinson thinks about that.....

It's stupid that Dark Messiah of Might and Magic allows you to graphically cut people's heads and limbs off and play with the corpses but you can't play a game that graphically follows the exact content that is in the movies. the censorship boards recommendations should be allow the game in at a MA15+ or R18+ rating and strongly urge the stores to police they're salespeople on the meaning of these ratings. it's a joke when my, at the time, 10yr old brother could walk into a store by himself and by an aliens movie....
IMO the censorship board think they need to protect the children from stores lack of concern over ratings.
If the board actually classifies the final Harry Potter which has scenes of harry naked, then they are just playing to hollywood and should be sued by the people of Australia for abuse of they're position.

We seriously need to start a different tack

Tell Akko that we're outraged that he is letting R18 games into the hands of minors.

The rest of the world is classifying games like mw2 and gta4 as R18 and M17, while we let them into the HANDS OF 15 YEAR OLDS! All thanks to Michael Atkinson.


Here's a video that will make you want to punch him in the face!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2009/12/10/2768026.htm
edit - actually it's one of the fairest reports I've seen on this issue

I've been saying the same for a while now. Media needs to quickly stop reporting on how a few gamers are crying over not getting their games and how real children are able to buy games rated for 18 year old in other countries. Only an R18 classification and appropriate laws will prevent that.

government are control freaks

GAYMERS UNITE THE CLANS

Just in, the latest game to suffer at the hands of the Australian Censorship Board is the extremely unlikely Final Fantasy 13!

http://www.youtube.com/v/XJnBM68vPtk (1:20)

Relax guys,

The Australian Censorship Board suck!

Just get your games from here.............

http://www.cdwow.com.au/

Cheap, free shipping, not edited, Just the down side is that it sometimes takes 2-3 weeks to ship to Australia because it comes from the UK.

I don't bother buying games from Australia because they are way too expensive and edited.

I got Boarderlands from this site and im very happy.
It's got full content not edit like the AU version.

My next games are Darksiders, Bioshock 2, Aliens vs Predator and oh yeah i pr-ordered Diablo III for just $48.95 all games are in AU$

Anyways have fun and good luck!

http://www.cdwow.com.au/