Left 4 Dead 2 banned in Australia

The OFLC has placed upcoming 360 and PC title Left 4 Dead 2 under the banner of Refused Classification, meaning it cannot be released in Australia.

You can peruse the official determination here, though it includes no specific details on why the game has been given its RC rating.

An EA spokesperson has told Kotaku that they “are still working through the submission process with OFLC and want to explore all opportunities before making any comment.”

Given that this is the first high-profile title to be given an outright ban for some time, it will no doubt reinvigorate the debate about whether Australia should have an R18 classification for videogames.

Take a look at http://everyoneplays.org.au for more information about introducing an R18+ rating for video games in Australia.

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109 Comments

ObsoletE

2 years ago

Lets all secede from Australia.

Azza

2 years ago

Anyway, (as Crank pointed out) Valve better make it region free, because I won't play it if it ain't got any melee weapons in it, therefore making it an overpriced expansion pack. They even included a friggin' cricket bat to appeal to us cricket-loving folk. That kind of love (which we don't see every day) will go to **** if this ban remains.

Qbert

2 years ago

Sin Ogaris wrote

Hey here's an idea, how about the next time a referendum is posed people ******* agree with it, yeah? Then we might actually get some form of feedom of expression.

What referendum are you refering to Sin? The republic one ages ago? Kind of lost on your train of though here.

Heff86

2 years ago

Cyph wrote

What if we like Australia but we don't like how a few can have just a significant impact on it? Discussion is a good thing and we shouldn't be denied that right based on the 'if you don't like it leave' rebuttal.

Ok, that statement was probably a bit harsh but i get frustrated when people who claim to be adults carry on like spoilt Children.

I'm all for open debate on the topic and by no means belive that my opinion is the be all and end all of this discusion.

So what are the facts here?

-L4D given an RC because the OFLC belive that it does not meet the reqirements of thier highest clasification MA15+.

- R18+ rating is currently being blocked mainly by Michael Atkinson, who was democraticaly elected and represents a significant portion of Australia's population.

- Though many polls have indicated most participants support an R18+ rating for games, they have yet to test a true cross section of the community nor have the non gaming population really een shown the sort of content that has been refused classification to date.

So if you all want change, win over the people who will all be affected by this (because its not just about us gamers) and stop acting like children.

oh and

EatChildren wrote

NOI am not a servent to this country.

You do serve this country, we all do, we owe our country for the freedoms she provides us.
Freedoms that don't come cheap, and many people have given thier lives to protect.
That you are able to express your opinions at all is why our democray is so great, and I know that if change to our clasification system is what the people want it will cill come in due time. People hold the power in this country, and I for one am proud to be part of it.

Qbert

2 years ago

Heff86 wrote

So if you all want change, win over the people who will all be affected by this (because its not just about us gamers) and stop acting like children.

I really don't mean to sound stupid, but who will be affected by this other than gamers?

Sin Ogaris

2 years ago

Qbert wrote

Sin Ogaris wrote

Hey here's an idea, how about the next time a referendum is posed people ******* agree with it, yeah? Then we might actually get some form of feedom of expression.

What referendum are you refering to Sin? The republic one ages ago? Kind of lost on your train of though here.

Yeah, that the one I wasreferring to, I don't know a lot about politics all I know is that the US has freedom of speech and no censorship and they're a republic whereas we don't and we're not. Could be a really bad comnparison but I just put two and two together. Forgive me, my boss got me drunk tonight (stupid free beers, who am I kidding, I love them more than anything else in the World).

Heff86

2 years ago

Qbert,

If censorship laws are changed, it affects lots of people. people don't have to play games to be exposed to thier content. and the sort of content we are discussing here could potentailly have implictaions through out a large section of the community.

Eg: Studies have linked violence in media, movies,T.V, Music and yes, Video games to antisocial and violent behavior in the community. Now i don't agree with the studies in question, However the point remains true that the community as a whole have every reason to be belive that content in our medium may need to be censored.

x7h3CUREx

2 years ago

Heff86 wrote

You do serve this country, we all do, we owe our country for the freedoms she provides us.
Freedoms that don't come cheap, and many people have given thier lives to pro......

Yo Heff86, I'm real happy for you, I'll let you finish, but Jack Nicholson's speech in a few good men was one of the best patriotic speeches of all time.

Sorry. Just thought this thread needed to be chilled out a bit.
But to put my two cents in.. the majority of the population are not gamers and many beleive all the scare mongering about video games being the root of all evil because they need something to blame for the bad stuff that happens in the world and it may as well be something they don't know anything about. it's just unfortunate one of those small minded people is in a significant position of power. i must have seen 100 of these posts on various forums over the years and nothing ever changes and it's all because he is holding the country back. That is all.

Karai Pantsu

2 years ago

@Heff86:

I tend to think that over-reactions to what seems to be a thoroughly ridiculous OFLC decision is far more bearable than that special type of nationalistic vitriol you deal in that simultaneously applauds the freedoms Australia 'provides us', while condemning dissenters and telling them to leave...

Heff86

2 years ago

x7h3CUREx wrote

Sorry. Just thought this thread needed to be chilled out a bit.

Your right mate, all chilled now.
All I wanted to say was everyone should be open to others opinions and discuss this matter in a mature fashion. Thats all, Ive had my two cents now!

And Karai Pantsu,
My comment may have been a bit 'overboard' but I'm not ashamed to be patriotic! And thanks for the feedback, made me fall right off my highhorse!

Jarrod

2 years ago

Heff86 wrote

You do serve this country, we all do, we owe our country for the freedoms she provides us.

A 'country' does not exist beyond those who compose it, ei: us. We are the country. We are the freedom, we are our leadship, and we are our laws and rules.

I don't owe anything to 'my country' beyond being the best human being I can be. The term 'my country' is usually used to sway citizens into acting on behalf of poiticians, who are themselves really just like you and I.

Quote

Freedoms that don't come cheap, and many people have given thier lives to protect.

Which has nothing to do with anything.

Shorty

2 years ago

Perhaps an enterprising State government could provide a solution to this fiasco.

Nic_231

2 years ago

[quote=Sin Orgaris]
Yeah, that the one I was referring to, I don't know a lot about politics all I know is that the US has freedom of speech and no censorship and they're a republic whereas we don't and we're not.
[/quote]

To clarify Sin, we don't have the same kind rights as the US. There's are enshrined by the most fundamental legislation of their country (the constitution), whilst we have no such benefit.
The part of their constitution that is frequently referred to as the 'Bill of Rights' affords them basic personal freedoms such as the right to free speech etc.
Here in Australia our constitution is mainly focused around the construction of government etc. and contains very little, if no, reference to human rights (freedom of religion is really the only one mentioned). It's not that our 'founding fathers' didn't intend us to have rights, indeed they studied the US very closely, it's just that at the time of federation the intent was for the States to retain most of their power and thus take care of rights etc. Over the last 100 years the High Court has interpreted the consitution to vest more and more power in the Federal government (as should be the case if we want to function as a nation) but the result is we have very few constitutionally enshrined rights. The right to freedom of speech in Aus is actually an implied (by the High Court) right to political communication.
If you live in Vic. then we have the Charter of Human Rights but that really isn't too effective. It's more 'feel good' thing than anything else.
Point is, the referendum regarding the republic was more about changing a small part of the constitution with regard to the ultimate source of power for our government, rather than granting us any more freedoms etc.
That being said, we should be a republic and I hope that I can vote for Malcolm Turnbull at the next election as he is a staunch republican if nothing else.

GreyWolfJai

2 years ago

There is a need to action here. We do need a R18+ Rating for games. I think we need someone to make it a national effort to do that. I have just emailed sunrisestory@seven.com.au to see if Sunrise can bring this issue up again. I recommend as many of you email them as well.

They covered it very briefly before but I think it is time we get someone to action for a resolution this time on a national scale.

Smurf80

2 years ago

Well all is not lost if LFD2 is region locked for the 360 ill just import it on my PS3. Ohh wait thats right I forgot Valve dont like the PS3 and prefer to develop for 360 and PC. Maybe with the banning here and if a region lock does happen it might be an idea to re think the no PS3 platform stance again.

As if this was region locked on 360 I would be majorly dissapointed as it would mean no LFD2 for me and no money for Valve.

Just a question wernt the "infected" in the first game exactly the same? Why bring the first game in and ban the 2nd? It doesnt make sense.....

A l e x

2 years ago

Smurf80 wrote

As if this was region locked on 360 I would be majorly dissapointed as it would mean no LFD2 for me and no money for Valve

Import from the uk... dont you love how they are pal and banning games wont stop us playing them.

ashlar

2 years ago

Yes, Yes I do love that.

Also PC games are region free. ++ for me

although I'd rather the steam version...
*sad panda face*

Spanca

2 years ago

GreyWolfJai wrote

Kochie will save us!

ManeKast

2 years ago

Simple logic to me. To have an R rating.

Its just Australia thinks parents arent smart enough to make choices regarding games purchases for their kids.

Are people that stupid?

Dont let little Timmy have that R or X rated porn, no you can thave that R rated movie. SIMPLE PARENTAL CONTROL. EASY. AS. ****.

The Government beleives Australian adults aren't capable of this. IT IS AN INSULT.

lapzod

2 years ago

ManeKast wrote

Little Timmy is 13 years old. He goes to buy GTA4 but his parents say no. He says ok I'll buy this game instead. Parents give him the money and next thing you know he's got GTAIV. What happened? The staff at the shop don't care that they're selling a game to an underage person. They just want a sale.

And before you complain I've had friends who work for games stores tell me that they get in trouble if they don't sell games to underage children.

Don't blame the government for every fault. There needs to be a study into this, not just a lot of 'personal theories' which is going on in this thread.

Karai Pantsu

2 years ago

All the studies in the world won't change a thing, Atkinson isn't going to budge on the issue. Hell, he won't even enter into open discussion about it...

Besides, you can't lay the blame solely on the cashiers either - regardless of how the kid theoretically gets the game, the parent(s) should be engaged enough in their child to what they're playing and deal with problems as they arise.

lapzod

2 years ago

I wasn't blaming the cashiers, even if it looked like I was, I was trying to show that it's not just one force at work here.

To get an R rating, everybody needs to be informed on the issue, from Government down to cashiers, parents and even children.

Atkinson might not buy into it, but if studies were held and came back with proof, he couldn't hide behind the lies that he keeps pushing out. Change cannot and will not happen overnight. It's all little baby steps until it's done. People seem to forget that.

Charly

2 years ago

lapzod wrote

The staff at the shop don't care that they're selling a game to an underage person. They just want a sale.

And before you complain I've had friends who work for games stores tell me that they get in trouble if they don't sell games to underage children.

Well, you and the company get fined if you get caught, and you lose your job where I work. I ask every MA15+ game purchaser for ID if they look under 18. And I refuse to sell games all the time. Your friends are certainly not indicative of the all the sale assistants and honestly, unless you get paid commission why would you even care if you lose the sale?

It is funny. I get so many parents get annoyed at me because I have made their son or daughter go and get them to give permission to have GTA:SA. Hate their precious time being taken up.

mcerto

2 years ago

why's little timmy buying the game unsupervised? why arent his parents watching him? kids will always try and push the boundaries. if they can get an MA game, they'll try. its a parents duty to stop them, no one else's.

lapzod

2 years ago

Charly wrote

I've had friends work at the Broadmeadows store amongst others (one of my best mates from highschool) and she'd get in trouble if she didn't sell.

Sometimes I wish all the stores were run by you given the stories you tell

I always have the worst experiences there

mcerto wrote

In a perfect world everybody would be perfect. From parents to the governman.

*starts singing imagine*

edit: because it sounded a bit more wankery than I thought.

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