762877
story
Comments: 166 +- Your Rights Online: Australian Ban On Fallout 3 – Why? on Thursday July 10 2008, @02:01AM
Posted
by
timothy
on Thursday July 10 2008, @02:01AM
from the morphine's-a-stimulant-in-upside-down-land dept.
from the morphine's-a-stimulant-in-upside-down-land dept.
background: url(//a.fsdn.com/sd/topics/topiccensorship.gif); width:44px; height:55px;
censorship
background: url(//a.fsdn.com/sd/topics/topicgamesrpg.gif); width:67px; height:46px;
rpg
background: url(//a.fsdn.com/sd/topics/topicentertainment.gif); width:62px; height:44px;
entertainment
background: url(//a.fsdn.com/sd/topics/topicgames.gif); width:68px; height:77px;
games
LSU_ADT_Geek writes "What could possibly be so controversial in upcoming E3 2008 headliner Fallout 3 that the Australian government would impose a dreaded 'RC' rating on Bethesda's upcoming tertiary post-apocalyptic RPG? No one knows for sure, but speculation is that the optional use of drugs in the game — specifically the option to employ morphine as a stimulant — may underlie the Aussie classification board blacklisting."
Related Stories
innovate, v.:
To annoy people.
All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners. Comments are owned by the Poster. The Rest © 1997-2009 Geeknet, Inc.
Other games that have been banned in Australia (Score:5, Informative)
From the screenplay blog http://blogs.theage.com.au/screenplay/archives//009975.html [theage.com.au]
POSTAL (aka LOOSE CANNON) Computer Games
CD-ROM Refused Classification 28/10/1997
GRAND THEFT AUTO III Review (Other)
PlayStation 2. Refused Classification 29/11/2001
BMX XXX Computer Games
Multi Platform. Refused Classification 16/10/2002
THE GETAWAY Computer Games
PlayStation 2. Refused Classification 27/11/2002
SHELLSHOCK NAM67 Computer Games
Multi Platform. Refused Classification 22/06/2004
LEISURE SUIT LARRY : MAGNA CUM LAUDE Computer Games
Multi Platform. Refused Classification 09/09/2004
MANHUNT Review (CG)
PlayStation 2. Refused Classification 29/09/2004
SINGLES FLIRT UP YOUR LIFE Computer Games
PC Refused Classification 21/10/2004
THE PUNISHER Computer Games
Multi Platform. Refused Classification 23/11/2004
NARC Computer Games
Multi Platform. Refused Classification 08/04/2005
POSTAL 2 SHARE THE PAIN Computer Games
PC Refused Classification 10/10/2005
50 CENT BULLETPROOF Computer Games
Multi Platform. Refused Classification 24/10/2005
MARC ECKO'S GETTING UP: CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE Computer Games
Multi Platform. Refused Classification 14/02/2006
RESERVOIR DOGS Computer Games
Multi Platform. Refused Classification 23/06/2006
BLITZ THE LEAGUE Computer Games
Multi Platform. Refused Classification 17/01/2007
SOLDIER OF FORTUNE: PAYBACK Computer Games
Multi Platform. Refused Classification 16/10/2007
DARK SECTOR Computer Games
Multi Platform. Refused Classification 13/02/2008
SHELLSHOCK 2: BLOOD TRAILS Computer Games
Multi Platform. Refused Classification 20/06/2008
FALLOUT 3 Computer Games
Multi Platform. Refused Classification 04/07/2008
Re:Other games that have been banned in Australia (Score:5, Interesting)
Of course (puts on tin-foil hat) all Governments appear to like the "think of the children" slogan which can be a good vote getter, so if you can prevent or stall an R18+ classification the Government can milk the save the children platform (or rant) for all it's worth then they are perceived as protecting society.
That is why IMHO I think most Government officials are "Technological Cretins" (we like to call them "idiots" and other more colourful words as well).
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
If teens are growing up without playing these games, why should they be miseed when he is old enough to vote?
Re:Other games that have been banned in Australia (Score:5, Informative)
Well there's always play-aisa [play-asia.com], an online store based in HK. good for cheap PC and PS3 games (don't have a PS3 so don't quote me on that) but not for xbox and Wii due to region gouging, I mean coding
Not only does it get around the OFLC (as long as its not banned, refusing classification just prohibits Australian retailers from selling it but you can still buy and import it from another country), it is also cheaper than going to EB games ($90 AU is now $84 US, so why am I paying nearly twice as much for a game when the same game is $49 US on Play-Asia even with US$10 for P&H).
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Actually it is illegal to import Restricted Classification items into Australia. Importing your average Hentai or a RC computer game will get you spanked by Customs officials and the police.
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
For the most part, Customs officials don't care, or just don't realise that something is on the Restricted Classification list.
They're after the _actual_ dangerous stuff. Drugs, weapons, dangerous chemicals, etc. For the most part, they really don't give a stuff if some crusty group of conservatives say some movie or game is restricted. The customs officials will just go about their job as usual.
Of course, if you get some overzealous official, then you'll have difficulty, but otherwise, they really don't
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:3)
could you please elaborate? if it's refused classification, it's not allowed to be sold in the country, therefore, my perception is that it is every bit the same as being banned.
if you import it, won't they confiscate it (assuming they find out or catch it passing thru customs)?
Re:Other games that have been banned in Australia (Score:4, Informative)
if you import it, won't they confiscate it (assuming they find out or catch it passing thru customs)?
No, and that's the difference. You can own it, you just can't sell it (or rent it out, display in public, etc).
Unless the content itself is illegal, you're allowed to own unclassified films, games, etc.
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
but you still can't import it without permission
http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/rwpattach.nsf/VAP/(CFD7369FCAE9B8F32F341DBE097801FF)~aP0000CPBInformation+for+Importation++Comments+from+Customs+29+June+2007.PDF/$file/aP0000CPBInformation+for+Importation++Comments+from+Customs+29+June+2007.PDF [ag.gov.au]
Unpredictable outcome of "safety" voting? (Score:4, Insightful)
Heh, people kept voting for the idiot who promised them more largesse and more "safety" programs. Well, the safest place in our world is strapped to a bed in a concrete bunker without anything nearby that can be "harmful" or "potentially harmful". As a result, you people get what you vote for, what you beg for, and what you desire. Safety. If you don't want safety, then its best to stop voting and start living. I'm sure I've beaten this horse to death.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Its the South Australian Attorney-General who is the problem. All the others have agreed to an R18 rating, but it has to be unanimous. That said, lately he has (slowly) been backing down and I have hopes that it won't be too long before it gets through.
Of course, then the console manufacturers also have to allow R18 games to be run...
Re: (Score:2)
Or maybe the UK?
Or America?
Or pretty much any country in what's laughably termed the First World...
Hilarious (Score:2)
From TFA:
In 2002, Grand Theft Auto III was tagged with an RC-rating until Rockstar removed the option for players to solicit sex from prostitutes. Players could of course still kill them, underscoring the bizarre intercultural disconnect between wanton murder (AOK!) and the biological act of procreation (impolite and evil!).
Now that's just hilarious. Altho I suppose prostitution has nothing to do with procreation.
Re: (Score:2)
That's just fine, in the double standards of today sex and drugs are bad, but violence is practically state-sponsored. Thank god politicians forget all they knew about rock n roll when they get elected.
I blame the Victorians.
Re: (Score:2)
I blame the Victorians
Actually its the South Australian Attorney-General holding out on the R18 classification.
Re:Hilarious (Score:4, Informative)
What is even more bizzare is that in Australia prostitution is legal.
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Hilarious (Score:4, Insightful)
Why is that bizzare?
To quote George Carlin:
People talk about sex-slaves being forced to sell themselves for money. That's kidnapping and forced coercion and I'm pretty sure we have laws against that in most countries.
Think about it - if prostitution was legal, these slaves wouldn't be scared about going to the police, because they wouldn't risk prison and being sent out of the country they're in.
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
> removed the option for players to solicit sex from prostitutes. Players could of course still kill them,
In movies in Australia, you can have strong sex scenes, or violence, but not together. Thats probably what happened with the game.
Re: (Score:2)
It is not inter-cultural just Anglo-Saxon. Probably some residual victorianism.
Why? (Score:5, Informative)
The real purpose (Score:2)
Is to help Australian nerds the butt of "in Soviet Australia" jokes.
Gee, I wonder? (Score:5, Interesting)
Word has it that that the OFLC may only give out R18+ ratings on games when there is unanimous support from all the attorney generals in Australia. And they all agree it should be allowed, except for one asshat [wikipedia.org] who wants to think of the children.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Yep, sad but true. I encourage all South Australian – hell, all Australian /.ers – to let him know [alp.org.au] your feelings.
As always, keep it polite and intelligent. Show him that we are mature enough to make up our own minds about what we deem appropriate for our own personal gaming pleasure.
Re:Gee, I wonder? (Score:5, Informative)
Please, show a little respect. You may not agree with him but you shouldn't call him an asshat - the correct term in this case is arsehat.
Parent
Mother (Score:4, Insightful)
Hush, my baby. Baby, don't you cry.
Momma's gonna make all of your nightmares come true.
Momma's gonna put all of her fears into you.
Momma's gonna keep you right here under her wing.
She won't let you fly, but she might let you sing.
Momma's gonna keep Baby cozy and warm.
Hush, my baby. Baby, don't you cry.
Momma's gonna check out all your girlfriends for you.
Momma won't let anyone dirty get through.
Momma's gonna wait up until you get in.
Momma will always find out where you've been.
Momma's gonna keep Baby healthy and clean.
Replace Momma with the nanny state, and you get the general idea. You are all children, unfit to make your own decisions about how you are going to live your own life.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Re: (Score:2)
I didn't really think Kant or Godel would be appropriate here.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
You seem to think that his lyrics are "pomopous", but I think they are insightful and I'm obviously not the only one who thinks so. They are very relevant to some people, not just him. But honestly, even if they were only relevant to him, would that make
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
Of all the noble and respected philosophers you could have quoted, you quote from an early 1980s rock concept album envisioned by a dude now widely reviled for the pomoposity of his lyrics?
For a moment there I read that as "pornoposity" and I was like "what? wtf? where?" before opening my entire pink floyd playlist.
We do know why it was refused classification (Score:5, Informative)
A copy of the OFLC Board Report on Fallout 3 can be found at Australian Gamer [australiangamer.com].
Basically, Fallout 3 has been refused classification because the majority of the Board consider that the use of "Chems" and specifically the Morphine chem to provide advantages in combat contravene the National Classification Code.
From the text of the report it appears that renaming the Morphine chem to 'Painkillers'(or some other generic name that is not a prescription drug) and changing the icons presented in the menu for selecting chems will be sufficient to get the game classified MA15+.
I have no idea why Fallout 3 has been singled out like this when other games such as Max Payne, Bioshock, Haze and the original Fallout games all have similar drug use.
Here's the answer .... (Score:2)
http://www.kotaku.com.au/games/2008/07/olfc_report_why_fallout_3_was_banned_in_australia.html [kotaku.com.au]
In summary: from the OFLC report, it was the drug usage in the game. More information in the article.
It's pretty sad really. I wonder when Michael Atkinson will step down from office, so that we can actually get a forward thinking attorney general for South Australia.
In the meantime, we import.
Stimulant? (Score:5, Informative)
Re: (Score:2)
I'm allergic to codeine (and probably morphine as well, but I've never taken it). It makes me hyper and paranoid.
Re: (Score:2)
And in reply to the article - As an Australian I feel as if the government has lost touch. I haven't refined the thought, but I don't like the idea of political parties. It always end
I sense a disutrbance in the force.. (Score:4, Funny)
It's as if millions of australians fired up their ebay and bit torrent clients.
Re:I sense a disutrbance in the force.. (Score:5, Informative)
There's always a 6 month delay between when a show is aired in the US and when they air it in Australia (supposedly they've cut that down to a few hours or days, they say streamed live form the US but I doubt Americans are watching Lost at 3 AM) but I can verify that as I stopped watching TV years ago. Beyond that we're sick of being bombarded with ads, many of us will not pay upwards of A$50 a month for Foxtel (Pay/Cable TV) to be bombarded with ads and many good shows just aren't aired over here.
Parent
Back to the standby plan then. (Score:2)
Simple really, Aussie law is limited. (Score:5, Interesting)
Simple. Australian law only allows for games to be rated MA15+ (suitable for fifteen year olds and higher) at the strongest. In fact, this is the only restricted rating available to games in Australia; as all others are merely guidelines. This game was deemed unsuitable for fifteen year olds and therefore had to be unrated.
NZ law allows video games to have the same ratings as movies, so the game could take an R16 or R18 rating here. It's not uncommon for us to see video games for sale that have "banned in Australia" as an advertising gimmick (and usually carrying an R16 or R18 rating). Also, the increased range allows the NZ cheif censor to have more descretion in dealing with things like this. See here [gameplanet.co.nz].
US law doesn't have any ratings at all (merely industry guidelines.)
obvious answer, Mad Max (Score:5, Insightful)
Fallout is an obvious competitor to the Australian national saga. Iceland has its sagas, India is vedas, and Australia has Mad Max. This is just protectionism.
Re:Isn't morphine still widely used in military? (Score:4, Interesting)
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
Morphine is a painkiller, thus its military use in cases of injury. It's also a sedative. Take enough and you'll drift in and out of sleep uncontrollably. Except for matters regarding potency-per-amount, half-life and speed of onset, morphine = opium = Vicodin = endorphines = heroin = methadone, etc..
Opiates (those things I listed above) are definitely not performance-enhancing, though. Why exactly they (supposedly) decided to make it a stimulant is beyond me. Just a guess, but maybe their logic is that it
Re: (Score:2)
True but is it that much of an issue anyway? It's a fictitious setting so they could have called it "Inventium" if they'd wanted.
[strokes beard a little] Of course that wouldn't have generated any free publicity, would it?