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Australian Ban On Fallout 3 – Why?

Posted by timothy on from the morphine's-a-stimulant-in-upside-down-land dept.

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."

3 of 166 comments (clear)

  1. Other games that have been banned in Australia by ZzzzSleep · · Score: 5, Informative

    From the screenplay blog http://blogs.theage.com.au/screenplay/archives//009975.html

    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

    --
    Emerald Astrology
  2. We do know why it was refused classification by Tallweirdo · · Score: 5, Informative

    A copy of the OFLC Board Report on Fallout 3 can be found at Australian Gamer.

    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.

  3. Re:Gee, I wonder? by Malekin · · 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.