Becoming the first game to be banned in Australia under the new revised guidelines that introduced an R18+ category for videogames, Saints Row IV has been handed a refused classification rating by the Australian Classification Board (thanks Cnet).

An official statement has been released by the ACB describing the decision in further detail:

The Classification Board classified the game RC (Refused Classification) in accordance with item 1(a) of the National Classification Code and in accordance with the computer games guidelines.

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.

Mr McDonald said the Classification Board had now been applying the new computer games guidelines for almost six months and this was the first game to be refused classification.

“Apart from today’s decision, since the beginning of the year, the Board has classified 17 games R 18+ under the new guidelines,” Mr McDonald said.

The previous game in the series --Saints Row IV initially started development as an expansion to, before being repositioned as a full sequel-- was released in September 2011 with an MA15+ rating.

Development of Saints Row IV survived the bankruptcy of its original publisher THQ, when the property and its developing studio were purchased by German company Koch Media, with the label Deep Silver now handling publishing duties.

Whether the publisher will seek reclassification, or if the game will be modified for resubmission is currently unclear.

Saints Row IV has also been booked for a rather large showing at the upcoming PAX Aus 2013 event in Melbourne in a few weeks, with significant floor space having been reserved for a booth to show the game. As it is prohibited by law for creators to promote a game that has been refused classification in Australia, unless the matter is resolved, this decision is likely to impact the game's appearance at the show.

Watch the latest trailer for Saints Row IV below. The game is due to launch on PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 in other regions in late August.