EA lashes out at OFLC over Left 4 Dead 2 ban

PC News | No more clowning around.

In response to the the Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification's refusal to classify Left 4 Dead 2 (which has resulted in the title being banned for sale throughout Australia), the game's publisher Electronic Arts has hit back at the government entity in a scathing attack.

While Valve seemingly went gently into the night with their response to the ban, EA's Tiffany Steckler didn't mince words when she spoke to GameSpot Australia, implying that L4D2 is quite on par with some our own home grown entertainment fare.

"It's funny that a place like Australia, which has come up with some pretty violent material in the past with something like Mad Max, can effectively ban video games for the same reason," she said. "EA believes that adults should have the right to make their own choices when it comes to the content they consume."

Steckler declined to comment on whether Valve would implement any changes to the sequel in order for the game to get classification approval. Though it has been noted that the Australian classification ban has officially been appealed by Valve. Watch this space fellow gamers, it looks like the gloves are well and truly coming off.

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30 Comments

NeoSanity

2 years ago

Go, EA, go!Right for the kidneys.

Sorry I took that last metaphor literally...

ObsoletE

2 years ago

quite possibly some of the best news for the whole R-Rating debate is a company the size of EA wading in and getting their hands dirty.

i really hope they can get through to the morons standing in the way.

ArcherGrave

2 years ago

Wow i hated EA and even more when they were going around buying every game studio they could then shutting some of them down.

But..the past year or so it seems EA are starting to get some rep back.

Im glad EB are standing for this, this is helping R18 classification, WOOT

grim-one

2 years ago

Some scathing remarks, but no stated action plan. I think they've just modify L4D2 and comply like every other company.

Deathfiend

2 years ago

What doesnt make sense is that the game has been rated for release in Germany... Who are a lot stricter then Australia... This really makes the OFLC look like a bunch of hypocrits...

If the members of each state are to immature to let the public decide on an R18 rating then someone above them with more power needs to step in and make some changes.

Nietzsche

2 years ago

EA is nothing compared to Activision.

ObsoletE

2 years ago

Nietzsche wrote

EA is nothing compared to Activision.

which is completely irrelevant since Activision aren't publishing Left 4 Dead 2.

Jellyfish

2 years ago

ObsoletE wrote

quite possibly some of the best news for the whole R-Rating debate is a company the size of EA wading in and getting their hands dirty.

I don't understand what EA has done other than mouthing off on the internet. If that got anything done we'd have an R18+ classification and Stephen Conroy would no longer be in office.

Gtpod

2 years ago

Jellyfish wrote

ObsoletE wrote

quite possibly some of the best news for the whole R-Rating debate is a company the size of EA wading in and getting their hands dirty.

I don't understand what EA has done other than mouthing off on the internet. If that got anything done we'd have an R18+ classification and Stephen Conroy would no longer be in office.

I think you're confusing the influential power of one of the world's biggest gaming companies, with the rants of various anonymous gamers. I'd imagine a spokeswoman for the former representing their stance on the issue from an international standpoint has a little more of an impact than flumptybum08 saying "OLFC ARE DICKS!!!!!!!!".

Jellyfish

2 years ago

In order to change the laws all Attorney-Generals must agree on the issue. I don't see how an American company (should or) has any influence on Australian politics.

Gtpod

2 years ago

Jellyfish wrote

In order to change the laws all Attorney-Generals must agree on the issue. I don't see how an American company (should or) has any influence on Australian politics.

I don't think anyone's saying this one comment will directly change things, but it's undeniably a big step. If other companies join in, and put their money where their mouth is (i.e. start to boycott the country; we'll see if Valve change L4D2 at all), that's when it's gonna have the biggest influence. This is just a visible crack in the history of game companies bending over backwards, partially spoiling everyone else's fun, to accommodate one country's maniacally antiquated laws; it's very good to see EA are outwardly sick of it.

Spanca

2 years ago

Jelly's right though. As far as the opponents of an R18+ rating are concerned, these comments and any further of their kind would be akin to the cigarette companies speaking out against tobacco restrictions.

Sure it won't hurt the cause to have EA 'lobbying' (in a weak manner), but it's not really a big deal in the overall scheme of the cause.

Charly

2 years ago

^ I don't agree. This isn't evil, evil Rockstar complaining- it is EA. EA of NBA Live, Madden, FIFA, Harry Potter and The Sims provison. EA with their family friendly content have just openly stated themselves in favour of introducing R18+ classification. I'm not saying the battle is won, but EA's name brings a little respectability to the cause.

Island_Wolf

2 years ago

Do you reckon A-G know who EA are? and would they care if they are big? I'm pretty sure most of the A-G are without much knowledge of big gaming companies so it will just be something they read off the newspaper one morning and forget about it by the time it's noon.

heatseeker

2 years ago

Island_Wolf wrote

I'm under the impression that they would do their research. Although, Conroy is probably locked inside his house covering his ears and ignoring the general public.
Just wondering, was he voted in?

ObsoletE

2 years ago

Jellyfish wrote

ObsoletE wrote

quite possibly some of the best news for the whole R-Rating debate is a company the size of EA wading in and getting their hands dirty.

I don't understand what EA has done other than mouthing off on the internet. If that got anything done we'd have an R18+ classification and Stephen Conroy would no longer be in office.

i don't hold any illusion that it's in the bag just like that, but assuming EA put their money where there mouth is, so to speak, then maybe we'll see some change.

unfortunately, later comments are true too, most effective proponent will be boycotting Australia - which if they do follow through on this, would suck for us, as law-abiding gamers.
i guess that's when we become law-unabiding while we wait for those black boxes to clutter our cover-art.

(i do realise i didn't word my initial post very well. "taking notice" might be a better term, instead of implying they've actually done more than that.)

djrussell

2 years ago

Mad Max? Couldnt she come up with something a little more RECENT. What is this 1979?

Cyberwaste

2 years ago

djrussell wrote

Mad Max? Couldnt she come up with something a little more RECENT. What is this 1979?

Actually it does bring to point how much tighter the censorship laws are between then and now.

And also, I wonder if, given EA's stature in modern gaming and where their titles usually lie in the classifications) would be able to make the Attorney-General see the reasons for instead of only paying attention to the reasons against.

ManeKast

2 years ago

Wolf Creek maybe?
Bab Boy Bubby?

Anyway, lets ****ing protest!

Gamesta

2 years ago

More people in the gamining industry need to follow in her footsteps.Don't hold back tell the OFLC exactly what you think.Even if that won't do **** for us getting an 18+ rating.

avjamash

2 years ago

This could be it FOLKS, with EA being the video gaming industries BEHEMOTH, we may see these guys (EA) who some of us love to hate, as our biggest and strongest ally in the war against our retarded (i mean retarded in a polite way because our system is behind) rating system

renegadesx

2 years ago

Gamesta wrote

More people in the gamining industry need to follow in her footsteps.Don't hold back tell the OFLC exactly what you think.Even if that won't do **** for us getting an 18+ rating.

Exactly, petitions, writing letters, protests wont to jack as neither will the big publishers badmouthing the Australian Govt but they just like us have every right to express their frustration.

If anything people need to launch PR attacks on Michael Atkinson which if widespread enough could end up costing him an election, or the SA Premier doing a re-shuffle realising this is bad for votes.

Never forget, you do liberal change you must eliminate the conservative representatives, and by eliminate I mean character assassination, an underhanded yet common practice in the dirty world of politics.

stick_theory

2 years ago

Hahaha, wtf is a Mad Max? Forget about 'home-grown' content, what about just 'home-growns' I live in the 'Serial Killer Capital of the World'! Everyday of my life is rated R18+. Maybe these killers are arising because they need a video game that they can release their frustrations on :3

Qbert

2 years ago

djrussell wrote

What is this 1979?

No, 1984. I'll let myself out...

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Left 4 Dead 2

Pre-order or buy:
PALGN recommends: www.Play-Asia.com

Australian Release Date:
  19/11/2009 (Confirmed)
Publisher:
  Electronic Arts
Genre:
  Shooter
Year Made:
  2009
Players:
  2
System Requirements:
- OS: Windows Vista, XP or 2000
- CPU: 3.0 GHz P4, Dual Core 2.0 or AMD64X2 (or higher)
- RAM: 1 GB for XP / 2GB for Vista
- Disc drive: DVD-ROM Drive
- Hard drive: At least 7.5 GB of free space
- Video: Direct X 9 compatible video card (Video card must be 256 MB or more and should be a DirectX 9-compatible with support for pixel shader 2.0)
- Sound: Direct X9.0c compatible sound card

Read more...