It seems Australian zombie enthusiasts aren't alone in their dismay over the OFLC's recent ban on the sale of Left 4 Dead 2 in the Land Down Under -- Valve's Doug Lombardi recently told Shacknews that the ban came as quite a surprise for the developer as well. "Obviously, everyone at Valve is pretty bummed," Lombardi explained, as a grief-wracked Gabe Newell wept openly into his shoulder.
It's a real shame that the OFLC added L4D2 to its expansive list of titles prohibited from being sold in Australia -- not only because Aussies will be robbed of one of the most promising multiplayer titles of 2009, but because it effectively invalidates the two parties' pre-existing peacemaking efforts.
Reader Comments (62)
Posted: Sep 19th 2009 7:17PM Clownzilla said
I'm getting a little pissed that more and more "democratic" countries are banning media just because it's "controversial". It's kind of frighting when you think about it.
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Posted: Sep 19th 2009 7:20PM SitriStahl said
there go any games over the E10+ rating in america
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Posted: Sep 20th 2009 7:14AM RobLink said
I don't think sophistication is tied to your nationality, more to your personality. I live in England, and sophistication is not something that's incredibly common over here. But maybe that's because I'm from London. It might be different somewhere like Oxford or Cambridge.
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Posted: Sep 19th 2009 7:20PM Martin C said
I don't know how you'd "just happen" to live there ... was it an accident?
But yes, that's how it works. It also works that way in the US. When a game is rated Adults Only, it's an effective ban on the game as most retailers won't stock that rating. The difference being publishers will change the game to reach the US market.
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But yes, that's how it works. It also works that way in the US. When a game is rated Adults Only, it's an effective ban on the game as most retailers won't stock that rating. The difference being publishers will change the game to reach the US market.
Posted: Sep 20th 2009 9:02PM Special Agent Steve said
Can't you get L4D2 over steam? I mean, it's just banned from being SOLD in Australia, and technically the Steam servers are in the US so...
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Posted: Sep 19th 2009 7:35PM Digital Viking said
It started with some dudes (and dudettes) boycotting the game. Valve flew in some people, making them look like idiots.
Valve starts joking about it, boycotting a fan-made campaign. Internet responds with donations to fly Valve to Australia. It should stop there.
Someone needs to tell Australia when to stop a joke. It's not funny.
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Valve starts joking about it, boycotting a fan-made campaign. Internet responds with donations to fly Valve to Australia. It should stop there.
Someone needs to tell Australia when to stop a joke. It's not funny.
Posted: Sep 19th 2009 7:22PM PoisonedAl said
It has always puzzled me why such an easy going people keep voting in a load of ultra-right wing, goose-stepping Nazis. They make even the Republicans look sane... well, almost.
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Posted: Sep 19th 2009 8:04PM Demon G Sides said
99% of Republicans are sane. its the vocal minority that make them look bad.
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Posted: Sep 19th 2009 7:23PM KentuckyFrydCow28 said
The Australian government doesn't want its citizens prepared for the coming zombie apocalypse.
My heart goes out to all those in Australia that won't know what to do in case of zombie dingos.
This post is totally serious.
Reply
My heart goes out to all those in Australia that won't know what to do in case of zombie dingos.
This post is totally serious.
Posted: Sep 19th 2009 7:41PM oOWallaceOo said
Australia gets pretty screwed up when you introduce a Bullfrog to the enviroment, they wouldn't stand a chance against zombies.
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Posted: Sep 20th 2009 4:18AM Istari Spartan said
"The Australian government doesn't want it citizens prepared for the coming "ombie apocalypse.
My heart goes out to all those in Australia that won't know what to do in case of zombie dingos."
Gold
"This post is totally serious."
Comment of the month!
Reply
My heart goes out to all those in Australia that won't know what to do in case of zombie dingos."
Gold
"This post is totally serious."
Comment of the month!
Posted: Sep 19th 2009 7:34PM (Unverified) said
They should put it on xbox live as a full game download in Australia.
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Posted: Sep 19th 2009 7:44PM aristokrat said
If you were a true Yatzhee fan, you'd know he'd just get it from GAME TRADERS ROBINA!
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Posted: Sep 19th 2009 7:46PM aristokrat said
I would just like everyone to know that I just found 'rickroll' in Scribblenauts. Carry on.
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Posted: Sep 19th 2009 8:19PM Cheesus Crust said
Try lol wut it gives you a giant head. And try NEOGAF! Its a SMALL flying ball you can ride.
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Posted: Sep 19th 2009 9:35PM mrln said
The "neogaf" is my new favorite item, though I don't understand the name/object correlation. By the way, I just gave God a monocle and a skateboard in one of the war levels and he promptly beat the sh*t out of everyone in the level.
This is related to L4D2 because they are both extremely awesome. And Australia's government isn't.
Reply
This is related to L4D2 because they are both extremely awesome. And Australia's government isn't.
Posted: Sep 19th 2009 7:53PM (Unverified) said
Aussies can still import the game, or ask their friends on Steam to send them L4D2 as gifts so its not all doom and gloom.
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Posted: Sep 19th 2009 8:48PM TheFairlaner said
And so being able to import it is an acceptable reason not to aggressively oppose the government abrogation of the right to free speech?
Really, Joystiq, that wasn't among your major criticisms of Australia's actions? Aussie's being robbed of a great game and an end to two, clearly dangerous, political parties "peacemaking efforts" is a major problem but that whole continuing destruction of individual rights, that's not worth a mention.
Australians: you should not accept importing as a valid way of dealing with your governments intrusion on your individual sovereignty. You should tell your government, no matter which party, that it's none of their business.
And to all you who are about to say it's not that big of a deal; you will deserve what you ultimately get.
Reply
Really, Joystiq, that wasn't among your major criticisms of Australia's actions? Aussie's being robbed of a great game and an end to two, clearly dangerous, political parties "peacemaking efforts" is a major problem but that whole continuing destruction of individual rights, that's not worth a mention.
Australians: you should not accept importing as a valid way of dealing with your governments intrusion on your individual sovereignty. You should tell your government, no matter which party, that it's none of their business.
And to all you who are about to say it's not that big of a deal; you will deserve what you ultimately get.
Posted: Sep 19th 2009 8:59PM (Unverified) said
I'm guessing if you lived in Australia, you'd be one of those people that has an "accident"
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Posted: Sep 19th 2009 8:00PM Blops said
As an Aussie I don't understand why the F they can ban L4D but zombie / horror films etc are fine. In which frickin century are games not gonna be still seen as kid shit?!? Makes me embarrassed to be from here. The original L4D is on the shelves. Dead Rising is on the shelves (melee). Seriously, I will send a boomer to Canberra!
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Posted: Sep 19th 2009 8:05PM Pure Black World Tendency said
Can't they just make an alternative Australian edition where the guns shoot rainbows, and the Zombies are acutally... squirrels?
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Posted: Sep 19th 2009 8:09PM Digital Viking said
And just let PopCap do the port.. and make it for the Wii.
I like how some people care about racism and such enough to ban a game, even though I haven't heard ANY zombie complain about the game yet, are we just going to assume they don't like the attention?
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I like how some people care about racism and such enough to ban a game, even though I haven't heard ANY zombie complain about the game yet, are we just going to assume they don't like the attention?
Posted: Sep 19th 2009 8:24PM Pure Black World Tendency said
Stop being zombist, man. You should know they prefer the term "deceased american".
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Posted: Sep 19th 2009 8:24PM KentuckyFrydCow28 said
"When asked to comment on this story, local zombie Gary Busey replied, "Urrrnghh! Braaaaaains!""
I'll be here all week folks.
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I'll be here all week folks.
Posted: Sep 19th 2009 8:41PM Digital Viking said
So you're saying every Zombie is American? I can't imagine them taking THAT well.
And I thought the correct 'technical' term was "MTV Top 20 Celebrities." Not to be confused with "Disney Channel Stars" and "Reality TV Stars", although they are very similar.
I am sorry if I have offended someone's obviously bad taste in music during this unnecessary comment.
Reply
And I thought the correct 'technical' term was "MTV Top 20 Celebrities." Not to be confused with "Disney Channel Stars" and "Reality TV Stars", although they are very similar.
I am sorry if I have offended someone's obviously bad taste in music during this unnecessary comment.
Posted: Sep 19th 2009 9:59PM Premature ejaculation man said
Squirrels aren't in our country though
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Posted: Sep 20th 2009 10:03AM Pure Black World Tendency said
Wombats then? I've actually lived in Australia for over 2 years, studying there, so I have great sympathy for you poor now-censored bogan buggers. ;)
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Posted: Sep 19th 2009 8:13PM Digital Viking said
aristokrat:
If you were a true fan, you would spell his name right.
Reply
If you were a true fan, you would spell his name right.
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