Xbox 360 Saints Row 4 banned in Australia

[Kirsty]

Saints Row 4 has been banned from release in Australia in its current form, but publisher Deep Silver has told us developer Volition is reworking some of the code in a bid to create a version of the game which can be released in the country.

The game is the first title to be denied a rating in Australia under the Guidelines for the Classification of Computer Games that came into effect on January 1 2013. Prior to then, Australia did not have an adult category for computer games.

Australia's Classification Board said in a statement: "In the Board's opinion, Saints Row IV includes interactive, visual depictions of implied sexual violence which are not justified by context.

"In addition, the game includes elements of illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards. Such depictions are prohibited by the computer games guidelines."

Classification Board acting director Donald McDonald added: "Apart from today's decision, since the beginning of the year, the Board has classified 17 games R 18+ under the new guidelines."

Deep Silver told us in a statement this morning: "Volition, the developer, are reworking some of the code to create a version of the game for this territory by removing the content which could cause offence without reducing the outlandish gameplay that Saints Row fans know and love.

"Saints Row IV has been awarded PEGI 18 and ESRB M ratings where fans can enjoy their time in Steelport as originally intended."

Earlier this month, the publisher announced a Saints Row 4 Collector's Edition ahead of the Saints Row 4 release date of August 20 in North America and August 23 in Europe.

News: Saints Row 4 banned in Australia, Volition removing offending content - ComputerAndVideoGames.com

Wow! Wasn't there another game a couple of years back which ended up being banned down under?

 

[FordGTGuy]

"not justified by context"

Some Nazi Germany crap right there.

 

[Haze]

News: Saints Row 4 banned in Australia, Volition removing offending content - ComputerAndVideoGames.com

Wow! Wasn't there another game a couple of years back which ended up being banned down under?

There's a few. Mortal Kombat being one of them and we had Left 4 Dead 2 edited - hardly a drop of blood and disappearing bodies.

I'm not going to lie, I was really really looking forward to this game as was my girlfriend - her being a Saints Row fanatic. Now I am angry and annoyed! What was the point in bringing in a R rating for video games?!

I guess the only solution is... import.

 

[Kirsty]

There's a few. Mortal Kombat being one of them and we had Left 4 Dead 2 edited - hardly a drop of blood and disappearing bodies.

I'm not going to lie, I was really really looking forward to this game as was my girlfriend - her being a Saints Row fanatic. Now I am angry and annoyed! What was the point in bringing in a R rating for video games?!

I guess the only solution is... import.

Just out of curiosity, where would you import it from? NZ?

Are they as strict with R rated entertainment?

 

[Adamaris]

Australia is a little funny like that. A friend of mine born in Australia who then moved to the US as an adult and moved back always complains about this. As a parent he gets it but he also does not understand why the games can not be released with caution to buyers instead of our right setting a ban on the game(s).

 

[AthleticTypist]

I've always been curious as to why so many games and other media is banned in Australia. For a country primarily influenced by western culture, I would think many of these restrictions wouldn't exist. They have some of the more harsher penalties in other aspects of life among "first" world countries. What explains this phenomenon?

 

[Clark Bruce]

The thing with the ACB and the way they oversee game classification in Australia is not so much that they're strict about every little thing, but extremely strict about a few certain things. "Sexual violence" and "prescription drug use rewards" are two major things that will almost certainly get your game refused classification. Before (or possibly still with) the R18+ ban anything considered mutilation of people also was banned. This is the reason Left 4 Dead 2 was banned, because of the mutilation and the way the zombies were perceived.

 

[ozadin]

So basically, because a lot of old guys sitting in a board room have no sense of humor or satire, an entire country misses out on what is arguably one of the most fun franchises ever? What a bunch of pussies.

Basically my response. I doubt anyone that played SR3 started using illicit drugs like the article mentioned. It's rated 18+ as well, so why even put that label if they're going to ban it anyways? The most important reason why this game was produced is to make people have fun, it does not encourage you to go out and kill everyone, or start doing drugs.

 

[Claptrap]

I guess the R+18 rating is pointless in Australia, anyway. They also gave Atelier Totori Plus an R+18 rating, despite it being rated T by the ESRB (how could the disagree so much on the rating the content deserves?)

Really sad.

 

[Funky Jammer]

Does anyone else love the name 'Donald McDonald'

 

[BitesizeCrayons]

Man, Aussies do have it pretty bad for gaming. It's a good thing that the region lock isn't going to be a factor for either the One or PS4.