Aliens vs. Predator banned in Australia: the Classification Board explains its decision
- — 08 December, 2009 13:52
Last Friday, Sega announced that its hotly anticipated Aliens Vs. Predator video game had been refused classification by the Classification Operations Board. This means that the game cannot be played by Australians in its current state (pending a possible appeal).
We managed to get out hands on a copy of the Classification Board's Decision Report, which explains why the game was refused classification. While the listed reasons hold no major surprises, they do give an indication of just how violent the game will be -- at least, in territories where it passes classification. Curiously, the board seems to be particularly offended by eye-specific attacks, which are mentioned on several occasions.
Here are the reasons for the decision in full:
"[Aliens vs. Predator] contains violence that is high in impact and is therefore unsuitable for persons aged under 18 years to play.
The game contains first-person perspective, close-up depictions of human characters being subjected to various types of violence, including explicit decapitation and dismemberment as well as locational damage such as stabbing through the chest, throat, mouth and eyes. Characters can be stabbed with a Predator's wrist blade or an Alien's tail in depictions reminiscent of impalement. The Predator collects 'trophies' by explicitly ripping off human heads, their spinal columns dangling from severed necks. Heads can be twisted completely around in order to break a character's neck. Eyes can be stabbed through or gouged, leaving empty, bloody eye sockets. It is noted that a player is able to combine manoeuvres in quick succession, which further increases impact; for example, a Predator can stab a character through both eyes with its wrist blade and then rip off their head, with spinal column still attached. Extensive post mortem damage, including decapitation and dismemberment, is also possible.
Depictions of violence such as the above are accompanied by copious amounts of blood and gore, including ample wound detail and visible skeleton.
In the opinion of the Board, the violence in the game causes a high playing impact due to its first-person, close-up perspective, conceptual nature and the level of explicit detail involved in the depictions. The game is therefore unsuitable for a minor to see or play and should be refused classification."
Sega is currently investigating its options, including the possibility of an appeal.
(Further reading: Banned Downunder: Five games that didn’t make it past the censors.)
Follow GamePro Australia on Twitter: @GameProAu
Comments
marcos
Wed 09/12/2009 - 13:58
This game is not for minors!
What is wrong with this classification board ?? I see a bunch of old tea-totallers sitting around a table discussing (in their opinion) what people should or should not see. The game is made for ADULTS, NOT Kids. Something they seem to not be able to comprehend. Anyway, the people who really want to see it will just simply buy it off eBay or on-line somewhere. The sooner these twits get real people working for them, the better.
Anonymous
Wed 09/12/2009 - 15:07
Not suitible for minors. No shit Sherlock!
These people are idiots this is just going to keep on happening as games get more graphical capabillity and gaming engines get more power like with what happened to L4D2. They dont ban movies like saw they just get an R18+ rating and get released. We need an R18+ rating for games
Anonymous
Wed 09/12/2009 - 16:49
Alians vs preditors
If adults of any age get satisfaction from a game like this, then they require serious psycho analysis since it it is aimed at psychopaths.
TJ
Wed 09/12/2009 - 17:16
Too late
There's already gangs of kids with machetes wandering the streets of Melbourne and Sydney. Maybe if they could work out their violence on some pretend people instead they wouldn't be out looking for trouble.
If it reviews well I'll be importing it. If that doesn't work I'll pirate it. Grow up Australia. In 50 years time we'll be apologising to gamers as "the denied generation" or something equally lame.
Anonymous
Tue 08/12/2009 - 23:45
'The game is therefore unsuitable for a minor to see or play and should be refused classification.'
Who the hell said this game was for minors? No shit its unsuitable for minors. It's a game for adults. Seriously we should get a 18+ rating.