Joystiq

Valve exploring Left 4 Dead 2 with R18+ rating for Australia

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST

Valve is looking into its options for bringing the unedited version of Left 4 Dead 2 to Australia. Gamespot took note of a post on the Steam forums where Valve's Chet Faliszek stated the company is exploring the brave new world of R18+ ratings for video games in the region.

"No need to flood us with emails," wrote Faliszek. "We will have more information on this when we understand the issues fully and how we are moving forward but don't worry any cost associated with it doesn't worry us, this is something we want to do."

Left 4 Dead 2 was denied classification twice in its unedited form for Australia. The game was eventually classified in the region without zombie decapitation and limb dismemberment - a skillset that Australians would have learned is also helpful in dealing with necromorphs.

Valve exploring Left 4 Dead 2 with R18+ rating for Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Australian government begins the process of games reform with a Discussion Paper

Jessica Conditt — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:30:00 EST

The Australian Law Reform Commission has been listening, and after hours of bureaucratic thought, research, filing papers, losing papers, rewriting those papers, finding the originals and sobbing quietly at their cubicles, the Australian government has proposed a Discussion Paper to revamp media classification ratings, including those for video games. The paper addresses issues of hypocrisy in its games-rating system, citing how long it took for the R18+ rating to be implemented, and how its absence was restrictive to adults in the country:

"Major inconsistencies exist in the application of classification guidelines across media platforms. The major anomaly has been in the treatment of computer games as compared to films and publications, with the absence of an R 18+ classification for computer games," the paper reads.

"This decision, which has only recently been reversed, can be seen as overly restricting the rights of adults to access content on a particular media platform, and as marking a reversion to earlier censorship-based understandings of the role of government."

Continue reading Australian government begins the process of games reform with a Discussion Paper

Australian government begins the process of games reform with a Discussion Paper originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Censored Left 4 Dead 2 right 4 classification

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST

Footage allegedly taken from Australia's censored version of Left 4 Dead 2 has made its way online ... and we feel it's inadequately preparing citizens down under for the future! Though the game will get Aussies used to facing down a charging zombie horde, it does nothing to desensitize them to the revolting gore that inevitably follows.

The censored version lacks exploding heads, dismemberment (courtesy of the new melee weapons) and burning corpses. Sadly, for those of us who have built up a considerable hatred for the undead scourge threatening our civilization, the fallen undead just fade into the ether. Check out the full video after the break and pray for Australia's survival when the zombie apocalypse comes.

[Via Destructoid]

Continue reading Video: Censored Left 4 Dead 2 right 4 classification

Video: Censored Left 4 Dead 2 right 4 classification originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unedited Left 4 Dead 2 refused Aussie classification for second time

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:31:00 EST

On this day of reckoning, Australia's Office of Film and Literature Classification has denied Valve's appeal to sell the unedited Left 4 Dead 2 down under. The three-member board determined unanimously that the game "could not be accommodated within the MA 15+ classification," which is the highest rating allowed for video games in the region.

The board believes that there is "insufficient delineation between the depiction of general zombie figures and the human figures." The inability to clearly distinguish the humans from the "clearly fictional 'infected'" was a "major consideration" of the board.

The unedited version of Left 4 Dead 2 is classified RC (refused classification) and "cannot be sold, hired, advertised or demonstrated in Australia." Sorry, mates. An edited version of the game has been approved by the OFLC for consumption in Australia -- censoring "decapitation, dismemberment, wound detail or piles of dead bodies lying about the environment."

[Thanks, Adam]

Unedited Left 4 Dead 2 refused Aussie classification for second time originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Left 4 Dead 2 trying 2 approaches 4 sales in Australia

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST

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)

Gallery: Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2 trying 2 approaches 4 sales in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Newell pays way to Australia, donations go to Child's Play

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST

Despite the internet's best efforts to pay Valve prez Gabe Newell's way to Australia, the man simply won't take it. Posting on Fly Gabe Newell, the now infamous Australian Left 4 Dead modder "Joe W-A" says that not only are Newell and Valve project manager Erik Johnson heading down under next week, but they've paid their own way. "All the money accumulated will be going to the Child's Play charity," which Joe W-A tells Joystiq totals $3,099.54 from 233 donations.

Said Valve's Newell in an official statement, "The power of the gaming community and their ability to rally around a cause -- be it serious or fun in nature -- is amazing." And Newell's no stranger to both sides of it, having recently invited the creators of a Left 4 Dead 2 boycott to visit Valve's studios, sparking the joke email thread between Newell and Joe W-A that eventually resulted in the trip to Australia.

We'll have more on the visit next week; hopefully including a promised video from the Australian modder hosting Newell.

Newell pays way to Australia, donations go to Child's Play originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Australian attorney general refuses to support 18+ game rating

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:44:00 EST

Australia has a long, sordid history when it comes to banning the sale of mature games. Titles which exceed the limits of the Office of Film and Literature Classification's MA15+ rating are refused classification, preventing them from being sold in the Land Down Under. Following such a ban on Valve's Left 4 Dead 2, the introduction of an R18+ rating has been feverishly debated by the nation's officials -- however, a South Australian attorney general named Michael Atkinson is holding up the proceedings by vehemently opposing the adoption of the mature rating.

Atkinson told Australian news outlet News.com.au that he's uncomfortable with the interactive nature of the medium. "People are participating and 'acting-out' violence and criminal behaviour when they are playing a video game," he explained, later adding, "it certainly does restrict choice to a small degree, but that is the price of keeping this material from children and vulnerable adults. In my view, the small sacrifice is worth it."

Rarely can governmental actions be attributed to just one person, but the OFLC's refusal to rate mature titles is a direct result of Atkinson's opposition. Remember, this is the same guy who tried to censor a public document which canvassed Australians on the issue in an attempt to better advise the nation's ratings officials. He censored the study on censorship. Consider our mind truly boggled.

[Via GamesIndustry]

Australian attorney general refuses to support 18+ game rating originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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L4D2 rated in other violence sensitive regions, Valve appeals Aussie ban

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EST

In the wake of its Australian "banning," Valve has seen fit to send out an update of Left 4 Dead 2's ratings across this zombie smorgasbord we call a planet. We knew that Valve was "bummed" about the ban, but the letter that the company sent out could be interpreted as it saying, "Hey, wait up, places like Germany and Japan gave us '18+' ratings ... and you know how sensitive they are about violence."

Valve is still awaiting a rating in the UK (BBFC) and New Zealand, and submitted its appeal regarding Left 4 Dead 2's non-classified status in the land down under on September 23. With any luck, Aussies will be able to play the game -- with some edits, perhaps -- when the zombie sequel launches November 17.

Gallery: Left 4 Dead 2

L4D2 rated in other violence sensitive regions, Valve appeals Aussie ban originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Valve is 'bummed' by Australia's Left 4 Dead 2 ban

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST

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.

Gallery: Left 4 Dead 2

Valve is 'bummed' by Australia's Left 4 Dead 2 ban originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Australia's turn to 'boycott' Left 4 Dead 2

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 06:00:00 EST

Gabe Newell may be going to Australia, but his latest game, Left 4 Dead 2, is not. The Australian government has refused classification to the upcoming zombie shooter's "realistic, frenetic and unrelenting violence." Because the Australian ratings system doesn't offer an 18+ rating for games, Left 4 Dead 2 joins the growing list of games banned by the government.

While Valve is unlikely to look upon this decision favorably, it can turn this ban into a marketing bullet point. The first game received a MA15 rating, meaning Left 4 Dead 2 must have a totally noticeable and sequel-worthy increase in violence. Doesn't that warrant another $60 purchase (for those of you outside Australia)?

[Thanks, Jake and Dai!]

Australia's turn to 'boycott' Left 4 Dead 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tired of boycotts? Donate money and fly Gabe Newell to Australia! [update]

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:20:00 EST

Update: A Valve representative got in touch with us and confirmed both the legitimacy of Newell's conversation with "Joe W-A" and that he would fly to Australia should the money be raised. Looks like this thing just got really real!

Valve's Gabe Newell has been getting all kissy-face with the Left 4 Dead 2 boycott leaders recently, and one man is (jokingly) mad as hell about it. Enter Brisbane, Australia resident "Joe W-A," entrepreneurial Left 4 Dead campaign modder and buddy of Gabe Newell, who recently started a (presumably) tongue-in-cheek blog to collect donations based on an email exchange with the Valve Software head.

"Joe W-A": Why the hell haven't I been flown to Valve? I mean, you guys need to preview my campaign."
Newell: We are boycotting your campaign.
"Joe W-A": Does that mean I have to fly you here?
Newell: Me and Erik [Johnson, Valve project manager].

And just like that, donations started piling in. Though we've contacted "Joe W-A" for more accurate numbers, our calculations put the dollar amount just over $700 as of this morning. He assures readers that if Newell and Johnson do in fact back out from visiting, he'll refund as much as possible and donate anything left to Penny Arcade's Child's Play charity. We know it's selfish, but the YouTube video that "Joe -W-A" promises to create of the visit has us hoping that Newell and Johnson will go through with it. We've asked Gabe Newell for comment and will update this post when we hear back.

[Via Rock, Paper, Shotgun]

Tired of boycotts? Donate money and fly Gabe Newell to Australia! [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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