Posts Tagged ‘australia’

Left 4 Dead 2 trying 2 approaches 4 sales in Australia

October 7th, 2009
Valve is working two angles to get Left 4 Dead 2 on Australian consoles and PCs, following the Aussie ratings board's refusal to classify the zombie shooter. One version of L4D2 making its way through the OFLC is an "Australia specific" (i.e. edited) take on the game, while the other is the gore-lovin' original, which Valve currently has on appeal.

Gamespot spoke with Valve's Gabe Newell, who explained that the next step for the unedited version won't occur until October 22, which means the timing gets tight in terms of manufacturing and other hurdles before a November 17 launch. Valve project manager Erik Johnson finds the OFLC's issues with the sequel to be "inconsistent" because of Left 4 Dead's unedited release in the region. We wish Valve (and the gamers of Australia) all the best in working out those Michael Atkinson issues.

Source -- Valve to resubmit two versions L4D2 (Gamespot)
Source -- Newell discusses ban on video (Gamespot)

Gallery: Left 4 Dead 2

JoystiqLeft 4 Dead 2 trying 2 approaches 4 sales in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Valve Has Edited Version of Left 4 Dead 2 For Possible Release [Australia]

October 7th, 2009

Three weeks back, Valve's Left 4 Dead 2 was refused classification by the Australian Classification Board. The reason?

The game "contains violence that is high in impact and is therefore unsuitable for persons aged under 18 to play."

Valve's Gabe Newell admitted he was "a little surprised" by the decision, and the company has appealed the board's decision. In a press conference today in Sydney, Newell revealed that an edited version of Left 4 Dead 2 has also been submitted, reports Kotaku Australia.

According to Newell, this edited version, Australia-only version is "fully compliant with the guidelines" for a 15-years-old and up rating.

"We think Left 4 Dead 2 is a lot of fun," said Newell. "It's a game for adults. But we're aware that different countries have different restrictions, and we want to make the choices that make the game the most fun for that country."

Valve decided to submit this edited version in hopes of releasing the game this November. As Kotaku Australia points out, the Board won't report back until October 22 on appeal for the original version. "Our goal is not to ship this second version," said Newell. The goal, of course, is to get get the original version through the Board via the appeal process. If that fails, then the edited version is the back-up plan.

Valve Appealing, Editing Left 4 Dead 2 for Aussie Classification [Kotaku Australia]



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Australian attorney general refuses to support 18+ game rating

September 30th, 2009
Australia has a long, sordid history when it comes to banning the sale of mature games. Titles which exceed the limits of the Office of Film and Literature Classification's MA15+ rating are refused classification, preventing them from being sold in the Land Down Under. Following such a ban on Valve's Left 4 Dead 2, the introduction of an R18+ rating has been feverishly debated by the nation's officials -- however, a South Australian attorney general named Michael Atkinson is holding up the proceedings by vehemently opposing the adoption of the mature rating.

Atkinson told Australian news outlet News.com.au that he's uncomfortable with the interactive nature of the medium. "People are participating and 'acting-out' violence and criminal behaviour when they are playing a video game," he explained, later adding, "it certainly does restrict choice to a small degree, but that is the price of keeping this material from children and vulnerable adults. In my view, the small sacrifice is worth it."

Rarely can governmental actions be attributed to just one person, but the OFLC's refusal to rate mature titles is a direct result of Atkinson's opposition. Remember, this is the same guy who tried to censor a public document which canvassed Australians on the issue in an attempt to better advise the nation's ratings officials. He censored the study on censorship. Consider our mind truly boggled.

[Via GamesIndustry]

JoystiqAustralian attorney general refuses to support 18+ game rating originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Australian attorney general refuses to support 18+ game rating

September 30th, 2009
Australia has a long, sordid history when it comes to banning the sale of mature games. Titles which exceed the limits of the Office of Film and Literature Classification's MA15+ rating are refused classification, preventing them from being sold in the Land Down Under. Following such a ban on Valve's Left 4 Dead 2, the introduction of an R18+ rating has been feverishly debated by the nation's officials -- however, a South Australian attorney general named Michael Atkinson is holding up the proceedings by vehemently opposing the adoption of the mature rating.

Atkinson told Australian news outlet News.com.au that he's uncomfortable with the interactive nature of the medium. "People are participating and 'acting-out' violence and criminal behaviour when they are playing a video game," he explained, later adding, "it certainly does restrict choice to a small degree, but that is the price of keeping this material from children and vulnerable adults. In my view, the small sacrifice is worth it."

Rarely can governmental actions be attributed to just one person, but the OFLC's refusal to rate mature titles is a direct result of Atkinson's opposition. Remember, this is the same guy who tried to censor a public document which canvassed Australians on the issue in an attempt to better advise the nation's ratings officials. He censored the study on censorship. Consider our mind truly boggled.

[Via GamesIndustry]

JoystiqAustralian attorney general refuses to support 18+ game rating originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Tags: , ,

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