Following yesterday's news that upcoming open world action game Saints Row IV had become the first game to be refused classification under Australia's new classification guidelines, the Classification Board has now handed down their official report on the specific reasons for the decision (thanks
Kotaku):
The game includes a weapon referred to by the Applicant as an “Alien Anal Probe”. The Applicant states that this weapon can be “shoved into enemy’s backsides”. The lower half of the weapon resembles a sword hilt and the upper part contains prong-like appendages which circle around what appears to be a large dildo which runs down the centre of the weapon. When using this weapon the player approaches a (clothed) victim from behind and thrusts the weapon between the victim’s legs and then lifts them off the ground before pulling a trigger which launches the victim into the air.
After the probe has been implicitly inserted into the victim’s anus the area around their buttocks becomes pixelated highlighting that the aim of the weapon is to penetrate the victim’s anus. The weapon can be used during gameplay on enemy characters or civilians. In the Board’s opinion, a weapon designed to penetrate the anus of enemy characters and civilians constitutes a visual depiction of implied sexual violence that is interactive and not justified by context and as such the game should be Refused Classification.
Performance enhancing drug use also played a role in the RC decision:
The game contains an optional mission which involves the player obtaining and smoking drugs referred to as “alien narcotics”. Smoking the “alien narcotics” equips the player with “superpowers” which increase their in-game abilities allowing them to progress through the mission more easily.
Pubisher Deep Silver has already indicated that developer Volition will be "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 was due for release in Australia on August 22 2013 on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. It is not yet known whether this matter will affect that target, or the game's planned appearance at the PAX Aus 2013 expo in Melbourne next month.
Posted 10:21am 26/6/13
On the other hand, its clearly in violation of the Act as it is currently written, and hopefully are relatively minor portions of the game to cut out.
Still sucks. Probe thing sounded hilarious.
Posted 10:25am 26/6/13
Posted 10:28am 26/6/13
Running around the street jamming your gun up someone's arse and then shooting one off sounds awesome? oO
Posted 10:31am 26/6/13
The NRL isn't even rated M but you can watch the horse steroid addled captain of the NSW assault people on the field on national TV, you can't however, play a side mission in a game restricted to adults that includes make believe drugs from outer space because it might lead to impressionable adults emulating their non-real video game heroes.
Posted 10:32am 26/6/13
Sounds hilarious ... but then I'm a little warped I guess.
Posted 10:43am 26/6/13
What's funny is that Australian sport and 'celebrity' is being over run by make believe drugs with the sole purpose of making impressionable adults emulate their heroes and idols. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before Swisse has their Alien range on the market.
Posted 10:46am 26/6/13
Posted 11:05am 26/6/13
A potion is just a fictional drug that enhances abilities? So why isn't every RPG banned?
The Alien Dildo Rocket does seem pretty over the top though, lulz.
Posted 11:06am 26/6/13
Also, Jet, Buffout, and Psycho are all ok but alien drugs are bad? (mmkay)
Posted 11:13am 26/6/13
Alien anal probe? Oh, that's just gratuitous and has nothing to with being abducted by aliens, right?
Sounds more like they're just upset over the fact that it's going up the arse of people and they don't like sodomy because it's "icky"
Posted 11:24am 26/6/13
edit: apparently I can use google. A: Banned, at least TCB is consistent.
Posted 11:36am 26/6/13
I wouldnt be surprised if all these crazy weapons n s*** is an easy way for the game to get press exposure. Just like CoD with their shock scenes.
Posted 12:04pm 26/6/13
Posted 12:59pm 26/6/13
Posted 01:01pm 26/6/13
You missed the other thread I see.
Posted 01:50pm 26/6/13
Posted 04:08pm 26/6/13
Posted 05:44pm 26/6/13
Posted 10:58pm 26/6/13
That our government/classification board thinks we aren't privy to that kind of knowledge actually irks me more than whether or not R18 is an effective system.
Posted 05:38am 27/6/13
Posted 08:30am 27/6/13
Posted 08:46am 27/6/13
The exact same argument is always made against violent video games and it makes just as much sense there; none. If you want someone to "stand up" to media you find offensive, then you do it buy not buying it.
The first step in addressing misogyny is good parenting and public education programs, not censorship.
Posted 05:30pm 27/6/13
Derpa Herpa Derpa Derp?
Posted 06:41pm 27/6/13
Posted 09:50pm 30/6/13