Silent Hill: Homecoming's Aussie exile detailed; hopeful release in Q1 2009

by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 30th 2008 at 4:20PM }

Late last week we learned that Silent Hill: Homecoming was essentially banned in Australia after being refused classification by the OFLC. IGN has some more details on the OFLC's issues with the title and has spoken with regional distributor Atari, which hopes (following some edits by Konami) to have the game out by Q1 2009.

The OFLC apparently found several instances of gore in the game to be problematic. One scene involved the protagonist having a drill forced into his eye, while another had him drilling an enemy's skull. There were a few other issues, but nothing we haven't seen in horror films for the last few decades. It's really about time Australia got that "R18+" rating for games.

Tags: atari, australia, konami, oflc, silent-hill-homecoming

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

In A World (XBL) @ Sep 30th 2008 4:28PM

Drill, baby, drill!

BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Sep 30th 2008 4:47PM

"There were a few other issues, but nothing we haven't seen in horror films for the last few decades."

But, it's okay when it's in films! If it's in video games, it's the devil's tools trying to corrupt the children!

Bass Masterson @ Sep 30th 2008 5:13PM

To be fair, I believe they have refused classification to movies with similar content.

BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Oct 1st 2008 12:46AM

Umm... well... then... uh... I... uh...

...

...

...

... AUSTRALIA SUCKS!!!

[runs off very quickly]

Ihavepants @ Oct 1st 2008 2:01AM

@Bass

No we havn't, as far as I know.

devian @ Sep 30th 2008 5:00PM

Time to go picket in front of your local Outback Steakhouse..

devian @ Sep 30th 2008 5:01PM

Time to go picket in front of your local Outback Steakhouse..

devian @ Sep 30th 2008 5:02PM

Now it's time to picket the comment system..

Ihavepants @ Sep 30th 2008 9:15PM

No.

thethirdmoose @ Sep 30th 2008 5:19PM

Who enjoys this stuff??? Seriously, who???

Ihavepants @ Sep 30th 2008 6:14PM

Er the people who play horror games or watch horror movies? It's been like that for decades and if you don't like them, don't play them.

Paulmichael @ Sep 30th 2008 5:28PM

Man, Australia needs to lighten the fuck up. If people are going to be offended by games, then they simply shouldn't buy them. Passing by the game being played and accidentally seeing a few seconds of gameplay won't affect anyone. Glad I live in the mostly uncensored (video games anyway) world of the States.

Whubbsie @ Sep 30th 2008 6:15PM

For the most part the public doesn't care it's the right wing christian hicks we have for leaders... actually just the one who is blocking us have R18+ rating.

Paulmichael @ Sep 30th 2008 6:40PM

That's true, it's never truly "the people" complaining is it? Just those damn elected officials who feel they know what's best for society...

NikSko @ Sep 30th 2008 8:52PM

Freakin' bureaucrats! The last two posters are spot on. Your average joe couldn't care less. It's the politicians who get all narky about this sort of stuff. Yet another example of the minority ruining it for the majority.

paralipsis @ Sep 30th 2008 11:48PM

Personally, I have no problem with that level of censorship of 'violence for entertainment'. Some might argue it's the thin end of the wedge, but that argument has yet to have a real-world example to call upon.

No one political principle is so great that it should not be tempered by some degree of restraint.

(For the sake of full disclosure. I am an Australian who has not lived in Australia for approximately two years)