The Australian Government is not slack concerning what enters the hearts and minds of its youth, and this strict rule has resulted in many games getting banned due to excessive violence and nudity. America on the other hand up to this day hasn't banned a single videogame because of the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Although they may not be banned, several games have been refused a rating below adults only by ESRB hence making it easier for consumers to make wise purchasing decisions.
Australia's case is different as videogames cannot be rated R18+ as the rating only exists for film. In order to be approved many games have been edited to meet the MA15+ rating because if not, the game will be banned altogether. Here's a list of the videogames currently banned in Australia:
1) Seven Sins ~ Banned because of high impact of sexual references.
2) 50 Cent: Bulletproof ~ Banned because of high impact cruelty and violence. A censored version was later released.
3) Blitz: The League ~ Banned because of drug use.
4) BMX XXX ~ Banned because of sexuality and nudity in relation to incentives and rewards. A censored version was later released.
5) Dark Sector ~ Banned because of high impact violence. A censored version was later released.
6) Dreamweb ~ Banned because of a scene of sexualized violence, however, the game was censored, and re-released with an MA15+ rating in 1996 for "Medium level animated violence."
7) Fallout 3 ~ Banned because of in-game drug use. Edited worldwide due to the insignificant change that was done. Therefore Australia got the same version as the other countries with a MA15+.
8) F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin ~ Banned because of high impact violence, Warner Bros. Interactive later appealed the decision and received a MA15+.
9) The Getaway ~ Original released uncut, more content was found that was deemed too much for the MA15+ rating. A censored version was later released.
10) Grand Theft Auto III ~ Banned because of sexual violence. A censored version was later released. The PC version was released uncut.
Just some of the games that have been blocked the Australian government, others include: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto IV, Left 4 Dead 2 (refused classification as it failed to gain the MA15+ rating. Also, Manhunt 1 & 2, Shell Shock 2: Blood Trails and Silent Hill: Homecoming were banned.
They don't joke around in Australia do they? As of August 26th 2009, the Xbox 360 has sold 700,000 consoles in Australia, the PS3 sold (as of May 26th 2009) 497,000 and Nintendo Wii (as of January 23rd, 2009) approximately 1 million units sold.
10/07/09 Ernice Gilbert
Well that sucks
ReplyDeleteWell, keep in mind that Rockstar didn't even show the classification board the 'uncensored version' of GTA IV.
ReplyDeleteWhen it was given the green light, they released an update over PSN/XBL to get rid of the censors.
The most recent is L4D2. Still waiting on confirmation, but until then, I'll be supporting the UK economy.
The "no games banned in the US" is misleading, because an AO rating is virtually the same as being banned, since no one, repeat NO ONE, can sell an AO game over the counter - example: the "Hot Coffee" scandal.
ReplyDeleteIt's daft because it's easy to buy banned games online from other countries so Aussie gamers can buy banned games from UK websites. A few games have been banned in Germany, so it's easy for German gamers to go on eBay UK and buy games from there or any other UK websites that sells them.
ReplyDeletelooooop hole
ReplyDeleteThis is incorrect, games have indeed been banned in the US! "Thrill Kill" for PS1 anyone? How about that recent "Rapelay" game that got pulled from Amazon listings recently?
ReplyDeleteexact reason why im embarrased to admit i live in this shit hole.
ReplyDeleteand to make things worse there so inconsistent.
dark sector got banned because you could sever limbs.
but than you can do the same thing in ninja gaiden 2 and WET and fallout 3 and killzone 2.
L4D 2 got banned for the same reason left 4 dead was passed.
L4D 2 has removing heads with shotgun no good.
L4D has removing heads with shotgun yea thats fine.
i think a massive please explain is in order.
shit like this makes me wish i lived in the US.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteNo indecent language will be tolerated here, all such posts will be deleted by site's admin.
ReplyDeleteThanks for respecting the rules.
i can think of five banned games from america unlike other countries they don't say "this game is banned" you just never hear about it
ReplyDelete