Australia's prehistoric and out-of-touch rating system has claimed another videogame's life, with the Australian rating board refusing to classify the upcoming Deep Silver-published RPG Risen. This is the first I've heard of Risen actually containing that much questionable content, but it's certainly made me ten times more interested in the game.
This is the third game of 2009 to be banned by Australia, following Necrovision and Sexy Poker. Apparently, there's quite a bit of sex and violence in the game, which led to the Mature rating it got in America. Of course, since Australia's stupid ratings only go as far as MA+15, Risen cannot be given a similar classification in the land of Kangaroos.
The only way Risen can release in Australia is for the game to get edited. This of course would mean that Australian gamers would be paying for less content, and they'd likely pay more than other countries as well thanks to the general expense of games out there. This is the life of an Australian gamer. Great, isn't it?
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
12:40 PM on 08.11.2009
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Ever heard of the Gothic series? Comes from germany and they are great RPG's. Awesome stuff! The third was kinda messed up because the publisher was being a major asshole but these guys will make a great game here!
Coming from Germany has something good there^^
As you were.
Poor koalas <3
@benjaxez- For sure. I would rather live here without a doubt. However, Telstra, in its usual competent manner, have connected the phone line to my house in such a way that broadband is not possible. This means that I really only have internet through the generosity of a neighbour. As a result, my download limit is significantly less. Yay, Telstra!
Sheesh.
I just love shady underground RPG's.
And also, who determined that the age for being a Mature Adult is 15?
If that were the case, then no one would be complaining about Live. Or online gaming for that matter. Maybe.
Err.... no.
You know, I think there was an episode of the Simpsons about that. But I really don't remember how the episode went, and No, they probably don't.
Fist fights may be excessive, but I’ve read stories and viewed videos of “rowdy” behavior in the Aussie Parliament…My intension is not to offend (as No other nation can surpass my own in incidents of violence) but to draw attention to the seeming hypocrisy of better-than-thou bureaucrats cracking down on the out of control nature of video games. If I offended you, I apologize.
Apparently our Government is not a big believer in parental responsibility. *goes to write another angry email to that idiot Stephen Conroy*
Amongst all the bullshit that i have to put up with living in the U.S., at least I don't have to worry about games getting banned here.
Secondly, just because ships have to travel either a) across the big and boring Indian Ocean or b) across the big and boring Pacific Ocean they charge more for it, unless its made in China, in which case it is c) past those damn pirates in Indonesia, who hate Australia yet make a good business of dumping refugees here.
Thirdly, its cheaper to buy the UK version (which most Aussie versions are anyways) online and ship it to the other side of the freaking planet than it is to buy a game here.
Why the hell should we support local industry if they aren't going to support us?
"During the course of the game, players can interact with prostitutes (referred to as “whores” in the game) at a local brothel. Players can trigger a lengthy dialogue to engage in their services; sexual activity is strongly implied, but never depicted on screen. Many of the characters in the game smoke a fictional drug called “brugleweed.” The “wood reefer” plant is described as having a mild relaxing effect on users, and can be bought, sold, and used by players. Some profanity (e.g., “f*ck” and “sh*t”) can be heard in the dialogue."
I'm sorry but how does this differ from other released titles such as GTA4, the Witcher, Saints Row 2 or Fallout 3? Welcome to the inconsistent and generally bullshit ratings system that is present our country.
FFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-
That's what I'm saying. This game really doesn't look all that bad, so why not let them have their fun?
@Fronz It was only available in 2 states, and was rate X18 (porn rating), so it couldn't be shown in cinemas and shit. So essentially it was rated as a porno not a movie lol
So then if you could watch porn, why not play some harmless games? It really doesn't make any sense...
There is no rule that you cannot import them, just that retail stores can't sell it.
Ebay will be littered with this game just like all others, we get 99% of all games uncensored but the ones that do aren't even censored much anyway.
As i said though (the game sprobably crap anyhow) but if you are interested and live in AUS IMPORT IT! (probs be cheaper anyhow)
Yesterday I was running around Africa throwing Grenades and Molotov Cocktails at people, while watching a realistic simulation of my character stabbing a syrette into his arm to heal himself.
This is apparently A.O.K for 15 Years Olds down here in Australia, but an Imaginary Drug on a Screen and some suggestive talk of Hookers and Sex will corrode their little minds?
Yeah, our Classification Board has pretty warped views of what is appropriate.
I didn't mean i agreed. I am on the side that our government is shit! Games are not real. The politicians seemed to get disturbed by games easier than 10 year olds! I think the rating should be 'under 60s only!' lol Then people who can distinguish this game is just that, a game and not something to fear can play it. Its just 1 old bastard in south australia stopping it.
@ybfelix im sure we would all love to (i know i would). But then the point gets made that it was games fault and we get a full ban on violent games. Otherwise im sure someone would have by now lol