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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."
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
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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