I must say, I see why this wouldn't get a MA rating in Australia. They really need an R18 rating.

@Chuck

Basically, it's just like the last SoF game, just with better graphics.

Erm...

GTA: SA is still on sale in Australia.

Jusst thought I'd let you know.

“(The decision was based on) the different ways a player could maim and injure (other characters),” the spokeswoman said.

Isn't that what usually happens in those type of games?

- Warren Lewis

Well, it is probably too much for an MA rating. That is an unusually
large amount of blood and gore. I think it deserves an R18. But since
we don't have one down here the only option is to not rate it.

I am more interested to see if it will be reconsidered if an R18 rating
is introduced.

-Twixn-

Not massively different (bit more high res) from the first two SoF titles - were those banned down under too?

The way I see it is not having an 18+ rating is pretty much the same as saying only children play video games… not adults. But that’s just me.

It's ridiculous, the government here did a big investigation into whether Australia needs an R18+ game rating level and it came back with an overwhelming yes, the problem is we have a party in government at the moment that is pushing the religious side of things and it only takes one of the attorney-general's (or head of state can't remember which) from any of the states to veto the recommendation and then we have no r18+ rating, so of course what happens, one of the states attorney-generals being a god fearing man of course veto's it because he doesn't think games are for adults and of course is thinking of the children. So, we are pretty fucked here in Australia for a while yet.

Ugh. If the esrb doesn't rate this, and/or they need to cut out some violence, I'm going to be quite a sad panda. SoF is one of the most fun, and unrealistically violent games ever...

Soldier of Fortune Pay Back got an M rating here my friend. ^_^

Yup.

here its m15+/ma15+...

I just hope to God that this game doesn't have to be censored for an M rating here in North America. Otherwise i'd be pissed. I love the SOF franchise.

P.S. - Australia needs a R18+ rating for games really fast. Is there anyway you Aussies can challenge the lack of this rating in Australia. Doesn't Australia have anything like the U.S. Constitution or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom.

Didn't this happen last time?

I'm pretty sure the last few soldiers of fortune had been banned in Aussie land.

So essentially, gamers over 15 in Australia are preemptively and permanently fucked over by a lazy rating system.

Wow. If Crocodile Dundee could see those guys now.

So this is a 'no' to Manhunt 2 then? ;)

Considering getting some friends together to write some letters in regards to the need for an 18+ rating. I can see what will happen though.

Five seconds after we get our rating Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo will declare no 18+ games on their systems.

@Everyone worried about U.S. censoring this game

Look at the freaking picture for the article. The game already has an M rating.

Anyway, just another ban as a result of a crippled system. Let's just hope it gets the go ahead in Eurpoe too.

Yeah, it's violent, but in a "hahahaha yeah fuckin right" Sorta way. I think this is quite comedic.

GregoriusH Says: So this is a ‘no’ to Manhunt 2 then? ;)

Considering getting some friends together to write some letters in regards to the need for an 18+ rating. I can see what will happen though.

Five seconds after we get our rating Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo will declare no 18+ games on their systems.

If that happens then think of all the games that will be banned in Europe. 0_0

That sucks. I enjoyed SoF2, and the religious oppressors have to screw it up for everyone. I actually empathize with Black Metal artists. :/

The Classification Board Report explains that “the limbs may be shot off, resulting in large amounts of blood spray and the depiction of torn flesh and protruding bone from the dismembered limb”.

I hope the Board never watches that one scene from "Braveheart"... or that 1920's picnic from Monty Python where everyone dies... ;)

The game's probably gonna blow anyway.

"The Classification Board Report explains that “the limbs may be shot off, resulting in large amounts of blood spray and the depiction of torn flesh and protruding bone from the dismembered limb”."

I don't see a problem with being able to do all that, it's just a game after all :) .

@Soul

Exactly. The BBFC is just about the most humane board you'll ever find. The others are just so bloody tight..

Not really surprising,if you look hard at bioshock it has a minmail amount of gore just enough to pass the Aus anal board, I was suprised to lil if any moive blood, hell FEAR is muh more gorey...it seems bioshock was made for the world not for FPS fans or gamers....

Aus needs a 18+ age level its silly to think they they would not.

Common sense should have told them that more classifications were required.

Well, they don't have as much freedom as we do in Austrailia. If the government doesn't like something, then they censor it from the everyone. Pretty stupid if you ask me.

Actually rereading this I saw they also banned Contents Under Pressure, what's up with that? Was it because it was about graffiti or what?

I think the worst part of this whole matter is that the Aussies don't have a rating above 15.

That's just silly, and sad for their domestic gaming industry as well as their gamers.

# Geno Says:
October 18th, 2007 at 2:47 pm

Well, they don’t have as much freedom as we do in Austrailia. If the government doesn’t like something, then they censor it from the everyone. Pretty stupid if you ask me.


Uhh I'd hate to break it to you, but thats the way it is in every country. There's not a single country on Earth where censorship laws don't exist. On freedom and quality of life indexes Australia has consistently been rated above he USA so I would do a little research before speaking if I was you. You're probably the kind of retarded individual who thinks Australia is a 3rd world country where people ride Kangaroos to work. The system in AU is fucked but the US has far more serious problems so I wouldn't go prancing around telling everybody how free and perfect America is.

@Ross
Ross, I know its not a third world country where people ride kangaroos to work. Although, I would like to ride a kangaroo to work, now that the idea has been mentioned.

In all fairness, who takes these freedom and quality of life indexes? Give me the hard statistics, rather than the final product.

I'd say we're more free in America than in Australia, though you may have a slightly higher quality of life (because, if memory serves, you have socialized healthcare).

@Austin Lewis

Yes we do have a public health care system, but i don't think that Australia is any less free than the United States. Whilst I am opposed to the lack of R18+ rating, I am also aware that if such a rating existed that Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo would probably refuse to license content for it, most likely saying the same thing they do for the AO rating in the US.

@Ross

Yon need to calm the hell down, there is nothing wrong with stating an opinion based upon the facts represented in this article. As I recall Manhunt 2 got the AO rating in the US but was completely banned here, which indicates to me that it might be a fair assessment to say that the US does have more freedoms (even though I think they are about the same...)

First of all Manhunt 2 was never submitted for classification, therefore how can it have been banned? Do some research.

Second of all, 18+ games are commonly sold in the UK & across Europe so your point is totally moot. Again, do some bloody research. The world is a big place and not everywhere operates in the same way North America does.

Or, as with other titles that were previously hard to obtain due to bans and difficulty importing from overseas, people will turn to piracy.

As soon as you ban something, people will want it just because it's banned and will go to any length to get it (think the prohibition and the moonshine runners).

@Ross
Another thing.
The statistician's creed is "in God we trust; all others bring data." This means that until I see the numbers involved in a statistic (especially ones like you mentioned) I don't believe in it anymore than I do Global Warming.

Prohibition just doesn't work it just creates a larger black market ,prostitution and drugs create these problems by their nature you can't dismiss and say adults are not mature enough to do them they need a balance between regulation and freedoms if you ban it be ready to waste more moeny protecting adults from them selfs.


Prostitution is leagle for the msot part its not a automatic feb ban, the states of coarse side with banning out of fear of not looking family friendly, and thats been the main problem its like life is not family friendly lets ban life.....

Austin Lewis
the rules/laws to alcohol is just as anal,take TN for example you cant have it shipped to you unless you pay a 100$ in a yearly luxury tax, that breaks just enough other laws that some places have started shipping into TN but they are hard to find.

Oh also, 2007 quality of life index conducted by internationalliving.com:
http://www.internationalliving.com/issues/2007/2007_article.html

Again Australia outranks the USA.

Ok, so this is the third time i've had to write this, so its gonna be brief.

The first article is based on the freedom of the independently owned company Reporters Without Borders to operate with government cooperation and without violent incidents. It has nothing to do with that country's press being free; it has to do with an independent press company being free to piss people off. They hung out in North Carolina snoopin around military bases until they were told to fuck off, part of the reason I'm sure we got burned to below Australia. Oh no, some no-name company doesn't like us! Boohoo. You misrepresented this study, and therein have neutered your 'Australia is more Free' argument.

How could you not look at the second article and tell its bullshit? France, the best place in the world to live?

"Before I go further, I should explain, especially for new readers (welcome!), what we're doing here. Eleven months of the year, we consider the countries around the world where you could live cheaper, pay less tax, enjoy better weather, take advantage of opportunities in emerging markets…places where you could start a new life, start a business, start over…"

So, a country where you pay higher taxes than America for the same tax bracket, suffer from heat that kills the populace, and have kids rioting in the streets is better than other countries? Haha.

But where it really shows that its bullshit is right here;

7. France is known for quality, reliability, and productivity.

Yeah, bullshit. They're known for producing shoddy crap, at higher cost than China, and they're known for Union Stirkes that result in burning cars, which the workers of France have down to a science.

So, outranking America in two surveys that are completely baseless bullshit opinions means jack shit. Come back with some better stats, or fuck off.

"On freedom and quality of life indexes Australia has consistently been rated above he USA so I would do a little research before speaking if I was you."


And yet Soldier of Fortune will not be banned in the USA.

@Pandralisk
Shut up. I don't want you on my side of this argument.

The Australian police are decent blokes who'll give you a fair shake, much unlike police in many big cities around the globe.

How bout you just go bullshit yourself into obscurity like Jack Thompson.

@Erik
Read my response for the debunking of these statistics.

Pandralisk, you're every bit the jackass that Jack Thompson is.

Go preach your bullshit elsewhere; it has long been obvious that people in this country don't buy it.

@Pandralisk

The Australian Police force is just about the best you're going to find. And I mean that.

@Austin Lewis

I would just like to extend your second sentence to the following: Go prech your bullshit elsewhere; it has long been obvious that people in neither the US, nor Britain, nor anywhere else for that matter, don't buy it.

@BlackIce
True, and in turn, let me add to yours my good man.

You're dictating your moral values onto us. The good bit is, you don't have the power nor the authority to do so.

Don't make me turn this car around.

@Austin Lewis

Join the club. The NTA (No Trolls Association).

They should rename the game:


Soldier of Fortune: Blackwater

I actually do respect of an individual to autonomy and self-choice.

What I don't respect is when somebody (ie. YOU, Pandralisk) shoves their ideals down someone else's throat, and then tear down the people who don't agree with you.

That is why I don't respect you.

And apparently, you don't follow your own moral values.

@ Austin Lewis

You act as though censorship is non-existent in the USA, are you really that blind & ignorant? Hey at least we can show a boobs on TV without the entire population jumping up & down, demanding the channel who aired the boobs be crucified. I'm not in anyway defending censorship but if you're going to go around call Australia a fascist nation then you obviously need to be re-educated. The US may have less government mandated censorship but when the push comes to the shove, the USA has MORE SELF CENSORSHIP than Australia and my friend....Self censorship is the worst kind of censorship. The only reason you called bullshit on those surveys is because the USA didn't automatically get the top spot, admit it. It's funny because you're not actually able to backup the bullshit you spurt out at other countries. You're a very biased, nationalistic, xenophobic, ignorant fool. You also act as though Australia is the only nation on Earth were by it's government has the power to ban things. NEWS FLASH BUDDY: Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada & South Africa ALL have the power to ban media and have done so in the past. To be honest though, if you think banning a few video games damages you're quality of life, you are an absolute moron. I doubt you've even ever been to Australia so I suggest you do so before spurting out more baseless, over-exaggerated nonsense.

Every single country on EARTH has problems. Ours is the classification system for video games, get over it. You're living in a delusional fantasy world of thinking the USA is an absolutely perfectly free nation where citizens aren't repressed in anyway. Get a grip, you live in a world with 5 billion people so deal with the fact we don't all still live in anarchy. Take a look at your own damn country before you start telling everyone else how they should run theirs. We have one of the greatest nations in the world here in Australia and if you can't accept that then TS. Your lose, not mine.

Get over yourself.
We think the system is BS too and we're doing our best to change it, so fuck off.

@Ross
Actually, ownership of banned games is illegal in Australia.

You see, I know this because I am a fucking Criminologist. It's called owning contraband.

I called bullshit on those two reports because not only did you only scan over them and only see what you wanted to see in them (ignoring facts) but you actually misrepresented the information. Then, upon looking at them myself, I find that their conclusion are not only unfounded, but completely assinine.

But yea, tell me France is the best place in the world to live.

Jackass.

As for self-censorship, that's a personal choice, which comes back to freedom to make that choice.

Biut at least I'll have the opportunity to pick up the newest soldier of fortune when it comes out. You, on the other hand, won't.

Go fuck yourself.

Ok, what the fuck happened there? The first one cut out a sentence, and then it double posted?

Strange goings-on today, I suppose.

Sorry for the double post lads.

Why is one of my comments awaiting moderation? Wow thats ironic, in a discussion about censorship, certain posts are being censored. Oh the hypocrisy.

GP: The spam filter was grabbing your posts because of all the links - looks likes spam to the filter. I've had to go in and manually clear this one, deleted the identical ones.

Anyway.

Touched a nerve did I, buddy?

Sorry pal, but you are wrong. Banned games are not illegal to own in Australia. Not only have I emailed the OFLC but I have also personally read through the legislation myself. I’ve imported countless banned media, so I should know. The only banned media which is illegal to own is child pornography or things like bomb making instructions. You….A Criminologist?…..LOL….For one you’re a American so even if you were a Criminologist I can’t see how you’d know anything about Australian law. And yeah mate, I will be able to pickup the newest Soldier of Fortune. Thats what downloads and imports are for, but I guess that’s too complicated for you.

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/consol_act/cocgaia1995373/s26.htm...

I live in the state of Queensland & here it is not illegal, as is the deal in other states. Legislation states that it is only an offense to posses RC material if you have the intention of selling it or exhibiting it in a public place.

“CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER GAMES AND IMAGES ACT 1995 - SECT 26
26 Possession of objectionable computer game

(1) A person must not have possession of an objectionable computer game to sell it.

Maximum penalty–60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months.

(2) A person must not have possession of an objectionable computer game to demonstrate it in a public place.

Maximum penalty–250 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.

(3) A person must not knowingly have possession of a child abuse computer game.

Maximum penalty–250 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.”

http://www.classification.gov.au

Federal classification board

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/alrc/publications/reports/55/ch6.html
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/consol_act/
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/consol_act/cofa1991220/

Still want to argue about it? Sorry buddy but I know how my country operates. It seems as though you’re just trying to bully Australia to make yourself feel better about America. Again, get over it.

Why the hell are my posts being moderated? All I'm doing is stating facts for crying out loud. It's pretty rich that a site supposedly against censorship is censoring my comments simply because I'm stating facts. Oh the irony.

By the way I will be playing the new Soldier of Fortune, thats what imports and downloads are for buddy.

Ross
moderation bug its coming up more and mroe these days.

I know it's a bit late to be entering this discussion, but for the record, owning banned games is illegal in some states but not others. I believe WA is one of the ones where it is illegal. Selling them is of course illegal everywhere. Not that it actually stops anybody.

So if you order the game from the US, and you get it, the police kicks your room's door and you are arrested? Sounds pretty stupid...