Australian Ban On Fallout 3 – Why?

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."

Comments

Other games that have been banned in Australia

[ZzzzSleep]

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

Re:Other games that have been banned in Australia

[donaldm]

The problem is that game censorship in Australia only goes to R15+ which still falls into the Child category. The only way to get games that are adult is to have a R18+ category however the present Government (Labour) as well as the previous Government (Liberal) don't appear to be interested in passing legislation for a R18+ category. It is not intransigence on the part of the gaming lobby groups since they really want this category it is the Government.

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:Other games that have been banned in Australia

[mjwx]

As an Australian please let me say, the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) needs to be beaten upside the head with a Cluebat, repeatedly. The only reason any of those games were banned is because Australia does not have an R18+ rating for video games so if it isn't M15+ it cant possibly get classification (yet it's there for Films, Books, Comics, portraits and artwork FFS). The OFLC did vote on an R18+ classification but voted against it because the idiot Attorney Generals had no understanding of the media involved.

Well there's always play-aisa, 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).

Re:Other games that have been banned in Australia

[drsmithy]

"Refused classification" is not the same as "banned". There is a subtle, but important difference.

Re:Other games that have been banned in Australia

[ZzzzSleep]

Can I walk into a store and buy it? If I can't do that, then I can import it. However, for 95% of the population, if they can't buy it at the store, then for all intents and purposes it's banned.

Re:Other games that have been banned in Australia

[Caged]

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:Other games that have been banned in Australia

[spir0]

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

[westlake]

More fool them. They don't seem to realise they're undermining their future vote.

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

[Deuterium224]

Surely anyone importing Hentai games would enjoy being spanked by Customs officials?

Re:Other games that have been banned in Australia

[drsmithy]

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.

Re:Other games that have been banned in Australia

[deek]

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.

Re:Other games that have been banned in Australia

[MrCreosote]

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

Unpredictable outcome of "safety" voting?

[DaedalusHKX]

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:Unpredictable outcome of "safety" voting?

[maglor_83]

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...

Hilarious

[Trracer]

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:Hilarious

[Merls the Sneaky]

What is even more bizzare is that in Australia prostitution is legal.

Re:Hilarious

[Hektor_Troy]

Why is that bizzare?

To quote George Carlin:

I do not understand why prostituion is illegal. Selling is legal. Fucking is legal. Why isn't selling fucking legal?

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.

Why?

[Stormwatch]

Because we can. Because we know what's good for you. Oh, and think of the children, or something.

Gee, I wonder?

[Grey Ninja]

I wonder if that might have something to do with it?

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 who wants to think of the children.

Re:Gee, I wonder?

[invader_vim]

Yep, sad but true. I encourage all South Australian – hell, all Australian /.ers – to let him know 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?

[Malekin]

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.

Mother

[Xonstantine]

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:Mother

[CRCulver]

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?

Re:Mother

[RWerp]

Oh oh, we're snobbish, aren't we?

Re:Mother

[Jedi Alec]

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

[Tallweirdo]

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.

Stimulant?

[Psychotria]

Since when has morphine been considered a stimulant?

Re:Stimulant?

[Anonymous Coward]

While morphine itself isn't a stimulant (it's classified as a central nervous system depressant), clinical research suggests that one of its metabolites (morphine-6-glucoride) acts as a stimulant and at high plasma concentrations can provoke seisures. That being said, the usage of it in the game is out of context. Morphine-induced analgesia works is more likely to sedate you than allow you to ignore physical damage.

I sense a disutrbance in the force..

[plasmacutter]

It's as if millions of australians fired up their ebay and bit torrent clients.

Re:I sense a disutrbance in the force..

[mjwx]

You mean there's a million of us Aussies that didn't have them open already,

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.

Re:Isn't morphine still widely used in military?

[donaldm]

Actually the PS2 game called "Oni" and now the PS3 "Haze" (never played it) has drug usage. I wonder how these got passed by the censor. Of course you can look at most games that have "herbs" (eg Final Fantasy and Resident Evil) or those healing orbs (god knows what's inside of them) and medical packs and you have some sort of drug reference implied :-)

Simple really, Aussie law is limited.

[Anonymous Coward]

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.

US law doesn't have any ratings at all (merely industry guidelines.)

obvious answer, Mad Max

[jollyreaper]

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.

Inconsistent

[Ninth Marion]

The lack of an adult category for games is just a continuing embarrassment for Australia. What's more, they don't even seem to be consistent. In the 2005 Xbox game 'Call of Cthulhu', you use Morphine in the exact way it's been described in Fallout 3, yet (thankfully, as it's a favourite game of mine) it was released under the MA15+ rating. From the game's manual:"Because it's renowned as a potent pain blocker, morphine is provided to Jack to help subdue pain that may otherwise prevent rapid movement or strenuous acts, but it does not cure him." Essentially, as you take damage in the game, you slow down and morphine will let you operate at normal speed again. Maybe they got away with it because it was linked to 'Sanity effects', who knows, but it sounds exactly the same to me. Here's hoping for some sanity from that idiot in SA on this issue sometime soon.