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Post by Dan @ 07:54am 18/01/13 | 14 Comments
According to a forum post early in the new year by Valve Software's Chet Faliszek, the developer is still mindful of the censorship of the Australian version of their zombie shooter Left 4 Dead 2, revealing that they are "exploring the options" since our country's introduction of an R18+ classification, but stopping short of confirming a submission for re-classifaction (thanks GamespotAU):
No need to flood us with emails. We have been exploring the options here and what we can legally do. We will have more information on this when we understand the issues fully and how we are moving forward but don't worry any cost associated with it doesn't worry us, this is something we want to do.
When Left 4 Dead 2 was originally submitted for classification to the then Office of Film and Literature Classification ahead of its 2009 launch, the title was deemed in excess of the maximum MA15+ rating of the time and refused classification. A modified version was then created for the Australian market, removing most of the blood effects and making zombie corpses vanish more rapidly.

Australian's classification legislation permits a game to be submitted for an updated rating after two years, which wouldn't be an issue for Left 4 Dead 2. However, the game was originally published, and submitted for classification by Electronic Arts under their EA Partners label, so it's possible the legalities of that arrangement might complicate things in this instance.

Warner Bros. recently confirmed they are submitting Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition hoping for an R18+ classification after the game's original version was refused classification under the old guidelines --seemingly avoiding the two year requirement by the bundled DLC making it effectively a distinct product-- and Team Ninja's Ninja Gaiden: Razor's Edge for Wii U recently became the first videogame to receive the R18+ stamp in Australia.



r18+r18classificationaustralialeft 4 dead 2valve software
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Latest Comments
Tollaz0r!
Posted 10:06am 18/1/13
Won't it be demoralizing if they are both refused classification again...
Pinky
Posted 10:22am 18/1/13
Razor's Edge was rated PEGI 18 though so it seems to be pretty much inline just on that one example.

If I put my cynical business hat on it seems to me like Valve drops this news, waits to see if they get some free advertising out of it, then if there is enough interest and they think they will get some sales they'll take the [surely failry small] risk or resubmission.
bleh
Posted 03:42pm 18/1/13
YAY
andrewus
Posted 05:10pm 18/1/13
If they are rejected again wtf is the point of R18+ classification?
trog
Posted 05:46pm 18/1/13
Be interesting to see what happens for customers who bought the gimped version - will they get a free upgrade to the "real" version?
mental
Posted 05:55pm 18/1/13
I'd say that is a strong possibility with Valve.
ravn0s
Posted 06:04pm 18/1/13
Be interesting to see what happens for customers who bought the gimped version - will they get a free upgrade to the "real" version?


they said a while ago that they would. i believe there's only 1 file that needs to be changed.
Obes
Posted 12:33am 19/1/13
Steam is one of the best companies when it comes to regional bulls*** be it price or content.

People blame Steam for our regional prices but it has very little to do with them. eg. 2k Games Australia is the reason any 2k game costs double here what it does in the US.
Enska
Posted 12:40am 19/1/13
yeah It's actually Valve old timer.. Steam is what they created.
Winston
Posted 12:23pm 19/1/13
I vaguely remember that when the game was first RC, Valve said they would re-submit it if our laws ever changed.
euphoria
Posted 03:00pm 19/1/13
*gets wallet ready*
Obes
Posted 04:18pm 19/1/13
yeah It's actually Valve old timer.. Steam is what they created.

Wesfarmers owns Coles and Bunnings. Bet you say you are going to Coles to buy milk and not Wesfarmers.
justrev
Posted 08:31am 21/1/13
If they get the 18+ rating and decide to give it to us all free, what happens to the under 18 year olds who bought it when it was rated 15+?? Do they lose access altogether or will they find a way to let them keep their old versions?
Just putting it out there........
glynd
Posted 09:27am 21/1/13
If they get the 18+ rating and decide to give it to us all free, what happens to the under 18 year olds who bought it when it was rated 15+?? Do they lose access altogether or will they find a way to let them keep their old versions?Just putting it out there........


It'll probably be an optional upgrade like high res textures.
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