Australian Ban On Fallout 3 – Why? 166
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."
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: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).
Re:Isn't morphine still widely used in military? (Score:4, Interesting)
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.)
Re:Other games that have been banned in Australia (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Other games that have been banned in Australia (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:3, Interesting)
Re:Other games that have been banned in Australia (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 care.