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Joystiq

Left 4 Dead 2 trying 2 approaches 4 sales in Australia

by Alexander Sliwinski on Oct 7th 2009 2:00PM

Valve is working two angles to get Left 4 Dead 2 on Australian consoles and PCs, following the Aussie ratings board's refusal to classify the zombie shooter. One version of L4D2 making its way through the OFLC is an "Australia specific" (i.e. edited) take on the game, while the other is the gore-lovin' original, which Valve currently has on appeal.

Gamespot spoke with Valve's Gabe Newell, who explained that the next step for the unedited version won't occur until October 22, which means the timing gets tight in terms of manufacturing and other hurdles before a November 17 launch. Valve project manager Erik Johnson finds the OFLC's issues with the sequel to be "inconsistent" because of Left 4 Dead's unedited release in the region. We wish Valve (and the gamers of Australia) all the best in working out those Michael Atkinson issues.

Source -- Valve to resubmit two versions L4D2 (Gamespot)
Source -- Newell discusses ban on video (Gamespot)

Left 4 Dead 2

Tags: australia, fps, l4d2, left-4-dead-2, Microsoft, oflc, valve, Xbox-360

Reader Comments (35)

Why is this in the Playstation section?

And yet, not in the PC section.

Mr. Sliwinski knows something we do not...

PlayStation user don't care about this game

Because you're not getting it?

I hate censorship. I hate your comment.

Left 4 Dedited

A zombie killing game with no gore. Fun.

*Rim shot*

@DeveilDawg90. Marketing. Targets.

Did I catch a niner in there?

Hey Alexander, we don't give a fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu....

I love Australia and all, but (1) the lack of ozone cover, and thus the increased risk of skin cancer and (2) censorship of games are two huge reasons to consider never moving there.

Umm, the ozone hole is over Antarctica...

Actually, there is significant evidence of an "o-zone hole" over Australia, albeit thinner than the one found over Antarctica, it still poses a threat because of high UV radiation levels during the summer months.

The more you know!

And don't try arguing that point. This is motherfucking Captain Planet you're talking to here. He knows his shit when it comes to o-zones.

Crikey.

Both types of o-zones...

giggity

The cap'n isn't just a hero.

He's MY hero!

Hence the invention of video games. They keep you out of the dangerous sun.

You can thank me later.

yeah NZ volcanos caused the Friggend thing :(

having 2 versions is stupid since theyll just go well we might be willing to give the old version through but since theres this nice edited one where not even going to look at it

they should Ok both of them half the R one in a nice black box like a porno and sell it only at adult stores see how it sells :P

oh chicken strip... u so crazy

So if they don't ship the original version right away, you can buy the happy flowers version on PC and valve will update it to the original gorey version for free. Gotta love Valve.

More games need a Happy Flowers Edition. Image Metal Gear Solid: Rising: Happy Flowers Edition. "What's that, Raiden? Carnations? For me?"

The edited version appears to have been passed: http://www.classification.gov.au/www/cob/find.nsf/5b6ebdff7f5b9a24ca2575ca00062226/981b9f23b74dbc0aca2576480057fedc

Seeing as it's not October 22nd yet, wouldn't that mean the original version has passed in the appeal? Wewt.

I would expect not, but it would be nice. Newell mentioned a timescale of something like two weeks before expecting a decision.

Yeah I was reading things back to front it seems. I watched an interview with Gabe about this on Gamespot and it makes sense now.

It realy s*cks to live in Australia! : (

haha actually no..........no it doesn't.

It's a game, we'll survive even if we never get to play it. Get over it.
I usually try to judge a country by more than what videogames you can play there, and by reading more about it than what gets posted on joystiq.

As soon as this Micheal Atkinson guy gets voted out this won't be a problem anyway. I think the main problem here though is the rule that says it has to be unanimous. Majority should be enough

At least you guys don't have the embarrassment of having someone who lost the popular vote send your military to war without congress actually declaring war. And then trying to cover up torturing people, and what's more, trying to justify it.

I uh, don't want to play the edited version Valve.

Just put a fake cover logo in front of the actual game reading "Puppies Kittens and Friends" and slip it under AU radar. They will probably think its just a shovelware game and not bother to play it nor rate it and will just slap a big E for everyone. Sure Valve might get sued but it will be great PR and raise awareness against the unfairness government regulation has on its regular consumer citizens.

Just for the love of god do not edit the game Valve.

Doesn't that ruin he co-op part of the experience.

Two points.

1. What is it with (some) Americans and bagging out Australia? It's not bad enough that we have a crap ratings system but you have to remind us that we have/had a hole in the ozone floating above us? A hole that America, China and India are undoubtedly responsible for? Oh and convicts, why don't you remind us that we all come from convict stock. I haven't heard that one today.

2. UK online retailers are probably going to be fairly happy if Australia gets an edited version of the game. I know that me and my friends will be importing the game if our version gets the chop.

Just passed classification today - no word yet whether that was the original or the edited version.

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Left 4 Dead 2 trying 2 approaches 4 sales in Australia

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Posted: Oct 7th 2009 2:05PM (Unverified) said

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