Joystiq

Crimson Dragon rated in Australia, features markings of 'Project Draco'

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST

It would appear the final name of "Project Draco" will be Crimson Dragon, if the pieces of a recent Australian classification fit neatly together. The author of the classification is listed as Grounding Inc., with Microsoft as publisher. Also, the game is called Crimson Dragon, which seems to perfectly describe the flying reptilian protagonist of the game.

Project Draco, a Kinect-based dragon shooter, is heavily inspired by the Panzer Dragoon series. This observation is totally cool since the game is under the direction of Panzer Dragoon creator Yukio Futatsugi and many of the game's original team members. Project Draco is expected to fly sometime this year.

Crimson Dragon rated in Australia, features markings of 'Project Draco' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3 and Vita game 'Malicious' classified in Australia

Ludwig Kietzmann — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST

Malicious, a PSN-exclusive boss rush action game (genre: "I'd like to speak to the manager, and then stab him."), may bring its concentrated quest and weaponized cloak to territories beyond Japan. The Alvion-developed project has been classified in Australia and attached to publisher Sony Computer Entertainment, making a localized version likely.

The game's move to other markets could coincide with the upcoming Vita port, which was announced in August after the original launched on PlayStation 3. We've yet to hear any official details about a Malicious localization, but we've already started begging Sony to change the name and prevent confusion with our homoerotic "Firefly" fan novel.

PS3 and Vita game 'Malicious' classified in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Stuff vs. Stuff' being published by Microsoft

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST

Microsoft will publish Stuff vs. Stuff, according to the Australian Classification Board. What is it? Well, it's ... um, you see, it's stuff versus stuff. Maybe it's like random object Fight Club? Honestly, we don't have a clue.

The game is being developed by Smoking Gun Interactive, a Canadian outfit made up of ex-Relic and Company of Heroes veterans. So, they should know their stuff. If successful, we already see the sequel: Stuff vs. Stuff... now with bears.

'Stuff vs. Stuff' being published by Microsoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virtua Tennis 4 'World Tour Edition' rated in Australia

JC Fletcher — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST

The Australian ratings board has posted a classification for some kind of new version of Virtua Tennis 4, called "Virtua Tennis 4 World Tour Edition." This one differs from the original in that it's got an M rating and warnings for severe, graphic violence.

No, we're totally kidding. It's rated G ... for graphic violence.

Kidding again. It's "General."

Our best guess for the identity of this "World Tour Edition" is that it's the Vita release of Virtua Tennis 4. The PSP Virtua Tennis game bore the "World Tour" appellation as well. It certainly makes sense for a game you can take with you.

Virtua Tennis 4 'World Tour Edition' rated in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Last Story classified in Australia

JC Fletcher — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:55:00 EST

We're happy to have some good news about a new regional release of The Last Story, even if it's not the region we would have picked. The Classification Board has rated Mistwalker's Wii action RPG for release in Australia, where its "fantasy violence and mature themes" have earned it an M rating.

The Last Story, of course, is one of the games for which "Operation Rainfall" is campaigning. Depending on your outlook (and your location), evidence of an Australian release can either be an encouraging sign of worldwide plans, or a version of the game in yet another region that isn't North America.

The Last Story classified in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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House of the Dead: Overkill Extended Cut cleared for Australia

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 23:00:00 EST

House of the Dead: Overkill Extended Cut, the enhanced, Move-enabled PS3 version of the on-rails shooter originally released on Wii, has won its Australian classification appeal and will be available on October 27 in the region.

"It is with great pleasure that we announce the success of our appeal," said Darren MacBeth, managing director of Sega Australia. "We are proud to confirm that the game will be released in Australia in its original entirety, with no content altered or removed in any way."

The Board previously refused classification after it concluded that "the additional modes included in this modified version and the interactive nature of the game increases the overall impact of the frequent and intense depictions of violence." That point that didn't quite stand up to the simple rebuttal: "But it's almost the same thing on the Wii!"

House of the Dead: Overkill Extended Cut cleared for Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Extended Cut' content keeping House of the Dead out of Australia

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:55:00 EST

Yesterday, we postulated that the extra content in House of the Dead: Overkill Extended Cut could be the reason the game was refused classification in Australia. It turns out that's exactly what happened, according to a Classification Board decision report obtained by Joystiq.

The report specifically cites the new Hardcore mode contained in Extended Cut, which requires players to make headshots and evidently ratchets the violence into territory that is "unsuitable for a minor to see or play." The report also mentions Extra Mutants mode which is ... well, it's pretty self-explanatory. Somewhat puzzling, however, is the fact that Extra Mutants mode was also available in the original Wii version of the game.

The Board concludes that "the additional modes included in this modified version and the interactive nature of the game increases the overall impact of the frequent and intense depictions of violence." So there you have it: Classification refused.

Joystiq has yet to receive comment on the matter from Sega, the game's publisher.

'Extended Cut' content keeping House of the Dead out of Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I Am Alive found hiding on Australian game classification website

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST

It's been nearly half a year since we last heard from Ubisoft about the long ago teased I Am Alive, but an Australia game rating classification for the title popped up yesterday, indicating it may be closer to release than we once thought. The listing doesn't reveal anything beyond what we already know about the game, granting it an MA 15+ "Strong Violence" rating.

I Am Alive was first officially revealed at E3 2008, and other than a new trailer shown at E3 2010, has been conspicuously quiet over the past couple years. When it was last spoken of by Ubisoft during a financial call, it was pushed to an amorphous "post-April 2011" launch window. As inferred by its title, it seems that the project is still being worked on somewhere, likely Ubisoft Shanghai, and that amorphous launch window may become more defined in the not-so-distant future.

I Am Alive found hiding on Australian game classification website originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Elevator Action Deluxe' rated for PS3

JC Fletcher — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 09:49:00 EST

Another vintage Taito series is coming up again (ding!) according to an Australian classification board listing. Square Enix is preparing Elevator Action Deluxe for PS3, developed by a company called B-Project Inc.

Despite the name, there's no way this game is as deluxe as the recent arcade title Elevator Action Death Parade -- that game has real elevator doors. We would expect a new Elevator Action to build not on the light-gun gameplay of that arcade game, though, but on the side-view, floor-to-floor espionage and combat of the original and its excellent sequel. And by "expect" we mean "hope."

'Elevator Action Deluxe' rated for PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 09:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Australian gov releases R18+ guideline proposal

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 25 May 2011 18:00:00 EST

Australia's federal government has released a proposed draft of new guidelines to reform its video game classification system and introduce an R18+ rating. Meaning, the country's uncomfortably long struggle to introduce an adult-friendly classification for games may finally reach a conclusion.

The R18+ rating would allow "virtually no restrictions on the treatment of themes," allow violence to a more liberal degree than the current MA 15+ cap and give the option for sexual activity to be "realistically simulated," according to the draft.

Australia's Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor says the new rules would "bring Australia into line with comparable nations." The federal government and the attorneys-general (including those opposed to the new rating and the ones who feel the government isn't going far enough) will meet in July, when they are expected to reach a consensus to introduce the R18+ classification.

Australian gov releases R18+ guideline proposal originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Witcher 2 censored slightly for Australia

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 04 May 2011 11:55:00 EST

The Witcher 2 has reportedly been censored ever so slightly for Australian audiences. Games On Net notes that for its MA 15+ rating the titular Witcher can't accept sex as a reward for completing a side quest. Namco Bandai, the game's Aussie distributor, apparently felt that receiving sex as a reward was not suitable for the game. The quest and NPC are still in the game, though the outcome has simply been altered. That's promised to be the only change made for Aussies.

Contacted for comment, a representative for developer CD Projekt told us the company will apparently make a statement about the situation tomorrow. Australia is expected to finally resolve its lack of R18+ rating in a meeting of the attorneys-general this July.

[Thanks, Chris]

The Witcher 2 censored slightly for Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 May 2011 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Burnout Crash is 'action arcade style', set in Crash City

JC Fletcher — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST

Last week, a rating appeared for the unannounced "Burnout Crash" on the Australian classification board's site. We followed up with the board to find out more about EA's mysterious "multiplatform" game, and received the following synopsis of the submitted content: "An action arcade style game set in the fictional world of Crash City. The aim of the game is to cause as much damage as possible to traffic and buildings by crashing a car into them."

Essentially, it's the idea behind "Crash Mode" in previous Burnout games, or Paradise's "Showtime." And if this single mode is the sole focus of Burnout Crash, it's likely to be a smaller downloadable game. It's also likely to be a bit depressing, if the setting is a city so beset by car crashes that it has "Crash" in the name.

Report: Burnout Crash is 'action arcade style', set in Crash City originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Australian AG Clark hesitant to pass R18+ rating

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 04:00:00 EST

According to a report from The Age, the long-debated Australian R18+ games rating may be shot down again during a July meeting of the nation's Attorneys-General, despite receiving the full support of the federal government. Victoria AG Robert Clark has expressed concern over the proposed ratings adoption, saying he's worried the new classification "would legalize games with high levels of graphic, frequent and gratuitous violence, including violence against civilians and police."

Clark shares the concerns of Australian Christian Lobby director Rob Ward, who said the Classification Board was "asleep at the wheel" when it granted titles like Grand Theft Auto 4 and House of the Dead: Overkill MA15+ ratings, allowing them to be released in the territory. Ward added, "that's not a reason to create an R18+ category. That's a reason to clip them behind the ear." Whoa, there, fella. Now who's being violent?

[Thanks, Shane]

Australian AG Clark hesitant to pass R18+ rating originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Burnout Crash' classified by Aussie ratings board

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:45:00 EST

The Australian Classification Review Board has revealed Burnout Crash, an unannounced, PG-rated title to be published by Electronic Arts. Aside from being listed for multiple platforms, no other details on Burnout Crash have been made known.

The Burnout series has been on hiatus since Paradise, which developer Criterion supported with extensive DLC for a good span of time after launch, before moving on to last year's Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. The last thing we heard about Burnout came from EA senior VP Patrick Soderlund, who assured us the franchise was far from dead.

'Burnout Crash' classified by Aussie ratings board originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mortal Kombat receives R18 in New Zealand (which means it's coming out)

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:20:00 EST

Mortal Kombat may be combatting release issues in Australia, but the game is being officially allowed to pulverize faces (and everything else) across the water in New Zealand. The country's Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) gave Mortal Kombat an R18 rating recently, which is to say the game's content is "objectionable except if the availability of the publication is restricted to persons who have attained the age of 18 years."

We imagine Kiwis responding to the classification by taking fistfulls of marmite and punching straight through box sets of Flight of the Conchords, while screaming "Get over here" in the general direction of WB Games Chicago. Or just quietly shouting "hooray!" One or the other.

Mortal Kombat receives R18 in New Zealand (which means it's coming out) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mortal Kombat publisher appealing Aussie 'Refused Classification' decision

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:40:00 EST

Warner Bros. Interactive's Australian arm will appeal the RC (Refused Classification) "unrating" bestowed upon Mortal Kombat by the Australian Classification Review Board. The designation prevents the game from being sold by retailers in the country.

"After reviewing both the gameplay and the Board's original decision, WBIE Australia believe the violence in the game is on par with numerous other titles readily available for sale in the Australian market," reads the publisher's statement, obtained by IGN AU. "As such, the company wants to exhaust all options to make the game available to Mortal Kombat fans in this country. An identical version of the game will be submitted for appeal."

Two years ago, Valve resubmitted an unedited version of Left 4 Dead 2 to the Aussie classification board in an appeal to an earlier RC ruling and ... lost.

Mortal Kombat publisher appealing Aussie 'Refused Classification' decision originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mortal Kombat refused classification in Australia

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:50:00 EST

Mortal Kombat has been refused classification in Australia, IGN AU reports. According to the site's sources, retail outlets have been asked to remove all promotional materials, as well as cancel preorders.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, the game's publisher, said in a statement that it's "extremely disappointed" that the title will not be available to "mature Australian gamers." Due to Australia's lack of an R18+ rating for games, all titles must fit the category of "MA 15+" or be refused classification, and thereby be banned from sale in the country.

We're currently following up with WBIE to find out if it's planning an appeal.

Mortal Kombat refused classification in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dissidia Duodecim demo rated for Australia, could venture outside Japan

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:45:00 EST

Dissidia 012 [duodecim] Final Fantasy is set to arrive at retail one month from now, and it appears that Japan's 300 Yen ($3.64) demo -- "Prologus" (seriously) -- could accompany it to English territories. A classification for the demo popped up on the Australian Classification Board website, listing "Dissidia Duodecim Prologus Final Fantasy" with a "PG" rating (for "mild fantasy violence and themes," of course).

While the Australian rating certainly doesn't guarantee a North American release, we'd wager it'll arrive here based on localization efforts alone. In Japan, the Prologus demo unlocks Final Fantasy VII's Aerith as an assisting (but not playable) character in the main game.

Dissidia Duodecim demo rated for Australia, could venture outside Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Battle: Los Angeles game being made by Saber Interactive, ratings board suggests

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST

It seems that upcoming alien invasion flick Battle: Los Angeles is receiving a tie-in game. According to Australia's classification website, a Battle: Los Angeles game is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind TimeShift, Inversion, and an unannounced Halo: Combat Evolved remake.

The movie's imminent release this March, coupled with the surprising absence of an early announcement, means a Battle: Los Angeles game is unlikely to be a regular retail release. We're currently following up with Saber and publisher Konami for more details.

Battle: Los Angeles game being made by Saber Interactive, ratings board suggests originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chime Super Deluxe headed to PSN

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST

Good news for music-infused puzzle game fans, as it looks like Zoë Mode is giving Chime another go. According to both the Australian Classification Board and the German USK, Chime Super Deluxe was recently classified (December 10, according to the Aussie board). It looks like this version will not be published by the One Big Game charity label, but rather Zoë Mode's parent company, Kuju Entertainment.

The USK lists the title for the PS3 (likely the PSN), while the Classification Board notes the game is for multiple platforms. We contacted Zoë mode for clarification and were told that the multi platform listing was a "mistake," implying that Chime Super Deluxe will indeed be exclusive to PSN. The company added that the title "will be fully announced in the new year." Without being too presumptuous, we're going to guess it will be more "super" and "deluxe" than the previous version.

Chime Super Deluxe headed to PSN originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft's Full House Poker rated in Australia

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:35:00 EST

It looks like the super secret beta for Microsoft's next massively multiplayer Xbox Live title is going pretty well -- the Australian classification board recently gave a rating of G (for General!) to Full House Poker. If you'll recall, that's the title of the 1 vs. 100-inspired online card game which Microsoft invited select Gold subscribers to try out earlier this month. It's also the title of our favorite 90s family sitcom, with the word "Poker" appended to the end of it.

The game's "G" rating in Australia is a little strange, considering the beta invitations sent out by Microsoft mentioned a Teen rating in the States, thanks to all the 'simulated gambling.' Maybe they don't have much of a problem with fake gambling in Australia? Or maybe they just have, like, really cool, Frank Sinatra-esque kids.

Microsoft's Full House Poker rated in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bejeweled Blitz Live rated by German, Australian boards

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:35:00 EST

Bejeweled Blitz Live has been rated by Germany's USK and Australia's classification board. The Australian listing is quite vague, giving the impression the title could be bound for retailers on PC, but the USK classification blatantly declares it as an Xbox 360 title. Perhaps it will appear for both. Developer and publisher PopCap Games tells Joystiq it is currently "not commenting" on the matter.

PopCap introduced Bejeweled Blitz to Facebook gamers almost two years ago, and added Zuma Blitz this year. Let's see if PopCap can beat the ESRB's hat trick of announcing its games.

Bejeweled Blitz Live rated by German, Australian boards originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Marvel Pinball' leaked by Australian Ratings Board

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

The development studio behind both the Pinball FX series on XBLA and Zen Pinball on PSN has just popped up on the Australian Ratings Board website under a listing for "Marvel Pinball," a "multiplatform" game. The ESRB has yet to detail it, but we get the feeling Marvel Pinball just might be a pinball game with Marvel branding and characters -- our detective work knows no bounds, we know.

Given past additions to its pinball games, Zen Studios could be planning the title as an expansion to its forthcoming Pinball FX 2. Regardless, the listing existing at all means we should be hearing more about Marvel Pinball sooner than later.

'Marvel Pinball' leaked by Australian Ratings Board originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Crash Course' from A2M outed by Australian classification board

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

An Australian classification board rating has outed Artificial Mind and Movement's unannounced "Crash Course." Apparently, the game will be available on multiple platforms, though it appears to be heading to Xbox 360 at the very least -- the game's publisher is listed as Microsoft Game Studios, giving us the impression that Crash Course is en route to Xbox Live Arcade.

Also of interest in the listing is its country of origin: Chile. Given that A2M's Santiago, Chile development house Wanako Games is based out of the South American country, we're thinking those folks could be behind Crash Course. Neither A2M nor Microsoft got back to us by publishing time.

'Crash Course' from A2M outed by Australian classification board originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OFLC rates Capcom's Commando and Exed Exes, likely for VC

JC Fletcher — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Here's something we don't get to write about very often any more: games that appear to be headed for the Wii Virtual Console. Australia's OFLC rated two classic Capcom arcade games that are most likely bound for the sadly neglected download service: Commando, the top-down shooting game that is probably best known now for being kind of connected to Bionic Commando, and a vertical shooter called Exed Exes.

We can be fairly certain these ratings point to a Virtual Console release, because Exed Exes was just put on the Virtual Console in Japan today. And now we begin the long wait until these two games make their way over. (Or we can just play them on Capcom Classics Collection Vol. 1 for PS2 and Xbox.)

[Image: The Arcade Flyer Archive]

OFLC rates Capcom's Commando and Exed Exes, likely for VC originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Namco's 'Metro Cross' and 'Aero-Cross' rated

JC Fletcher — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

[KLOV]

In Australia, the OFLC has rated a game called "Aero-Cross HighAir" developed and published by Namco Bandai. At the same time, GamerBytes reports that the German USK rated an Xbox 360 game called "Metro Cross HighAir GP," though that rating has since disappeared. The similar names suggest these two ratings are for the same game.

The "Metro Cross" name in the German rating seems to indicate an updated (perhaps Pac-Man CE-like?) version of Namco's 1985 arcade game Metro-Cross, a side-scrolling foot race game in which players have to avoid giant rolling soda cans. However, it's hard to reconcile that concept with the name "Aero-Cross," so it should be interesting to see what Namco Bandai rolls out.

Namco's 'Metro Cross' and 'Aero-Cross' rated originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Dragon Age: Origins -- Ultimate Edition' rated by OFLC

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:34:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Dragon Age Origins - Ultimate Edition has yet to be officially announced, but it has now been rated by Australia's OFLC. Previously popping up as a GameStop listing with a $60 price and an October 12 release date, the re-release once again prompts us to blankly stare in EA's general direction until it confesses like a mage in the Chantry. We've sent couriers off to EA for official comment.

It's not quite the "Dragon Age Molybdenum" edition, but one can safely speculate that this "Utlimate" package would include all of the Origins DLC, along with the recently announced "Witch Hunt" add-on. With Dragon Age 2 half a year away, it really is time to wrap up Origins in a nice bundle.

'Dragon Age: Origins -- Ultimate Edition' rated by OFLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pinball FX 2 exposed by Australian ratings office

Randy Nelson — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Going by a rating handed down by Australia's Office of Film and Literature Classification (shouldn't it add "games" to its name at this point?), Hungarian dev ZEN Studios is readying a sequel to Pinball FX, the first and only pinball game for Xbox Live Arcade. The classification dated August 10, 2010, lists Microsoft as the publisher. Combine that with the fact that disc-based pinball titles are pretty much nonexistent at this point and, well, it's called Pinball FX 2, we'd say it's a pretty safe bet that the game is bound for XBLA.

The original Pinball FX hit Xbox 360 all the way back in 2007, but has seen regular updates in the form of new themed tables, the most recent of which landed in the Xbox Marketplace on January 27 of this year. We may not know anything solid on this sequel (apart from the fact that it's apparently suitable for all ages) but we have some hopes for it, the biggest being that those who own the original be able to use the tables they've bought in the new game, without having to buy them again. If not, we may have to paddle someone.

We've contacted Microsoft for comment on the classification and will update as soon as we hear back.

Pinball FX 2 exposed by Australian ratings office originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OFLC rating outs Microsoft's 'Avatar Superstars Poker'

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

A recent rating from Australia's Office of Film and Literature Classification reveals Microsoft Game Studios' upcoming take on table gaming, titled Avatar Superstars Poker. It sounds like an XBLA poker title with Avatar support -- a feature that was unable to be added to TikGames' 2006 XBLA title Texas Hold'Em, which led the studio to create an Xbox Live Indie poker title specifically to include playable Avatars.

We've contacted Microsoft to find out more about the title, and what will set it apart from the other poker games already on the platform. For now, we're going to go update our Avatar to look exactly like John Malkovich wearing a track suit. Pardon us.

OFLC rating outs Microsoft's 'Avatar Superstars Poker' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OFLC rates Namco Bandai's Solarobo

JC Fletcher — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Solarobo, CyberConnect2's DS action RPG about animals piloting mechas, is on its way to the Anglophone world -- specifically Australia, according to an OFLC rating for the Namco Bandai-published game.

Solarobo, a spiritual successor to CyberConnect2's Tail Concerto, casts the player as a dog bounty hunter (but not Dog the Bounty Hunter) who uses his mech to catch fugitives on his floating island home. The game allows characters to fight and interact with the environment both in and out of walking robot vehicles. Red (the dog hero in question) can also "trance up" and transform into ... a human, with his mech transforming along with him.

To learn more about Solarobo's gameplay, you can check out several short videos on the website. It's something to do while we optimistically wait for a general announcement.

OFLC rates Namco Bandai's Solarobo originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unedited Dead Rising 2 classified in Australia

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Australia's OFLC has passed Dead Rising 2 with an MA15+ classification. The game's Aussie distributor tells Gamespot the zombie-survival splatterfest was rated without any edits. Dead Rising 2: Case Zero also passed with the MA15+ rating. A Capcom representative informed Joystiq they don't believe edits were ever made to the original Dead Rising or Chop Till You Drop (its Wii incarnation) for their MA15+ ratings.

The reason why Dead Rising 2 is getting attention for its classification is because of the difficulties Left 4 Dead 2 experienced last year. Valve's game was eventually classified with significant reductions in gore. From our preview time with Dead Rising 2, the game has plenty of gore to spare. Australia's continued lack of an R18+ rating makes the system seem arbitrary when faced with situations like this.

Unedited Dead Rising 2 classified in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo and HAL making Face Pilot, for DSi and your face

JC Fletcher — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

A new DSi game has shown up on Australia's OFLC ratings database, with a title that is really helpful in figuring out what the game is about. How helpful? The game is called "Face Pilot: Fly with your DSi Camera." That paints a pretty vivid picture! We look forward to finding out exactly how our faces are going to control a flying vehicle. If it's by looking forward, we're already practicing!

HAL Laboratory seems to be returning to prominence. Its Picross 3D was recently released on DS; it's collaborating with Good-Feel on Kirby's Epic Yarn, starring the developer's most famous character; and now it's making a game for your face!

Nintendo and HAL making Face Pilot, for DSi and your face originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aero the Acro-Bat rated by OFLC

JC Fletcher — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:45:00 EST

[Sega-16]

Sunsoft's entry in the 16-bit mascot wars may be its next Virtual Console game. The OFLC has rated Aero the Acro-Bat for release on Wii, published by Nintendo (as all Virtual Console games are). The game was originally released on SNES and Genesis, and spawned both a sequel and a spinoff, Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel.

Aero the Acro-Bat, as you may expect, stars an anthropomorphic bat who is also a circus performer. He uses a diagonal dash move to navigate platforms and defeat clowns.

According to the OFLC, Sunsoft also has Ufouria in the wings for Virtual Console. In addition, the company has announced that it plans to release games from the Telenet catalog.

Aero the Acro-Bat rated by OFLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 May 2010 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Space Invaders Infinity Gene cloned for XBLA and PSN

David Hinkle — Wed, 19 May 2010 17:02:00 EST

A trusted Joystiq source has confirmed that Taito's mobile and iPhone game Space Invaders Infinity Gene is coming to Xbox Live Arcade and PSN. Further corroborating our source's intel is Australian ratings board the OFLC, which has published a rating for an unspecified "multiplatform" release of Infinity Gene. Ubisoft, which distributes Square Enix titles in Australia is listed as the publisher. (Square Enix is the parent company of Taito.)

With some neat functionality -- the iPhone version lets players generate levels based on their stored music -- and an HD facelift, we'd be willing to bet Space Invaders Infinity Gene wouldn't find much opposition on Xbox Live Arcade and PSN. Previously, Taito released a version of its handheld series Space Invaders Extreme on XBLA to positive reception.

Rumor: Space Invaders Infinity Gene cloned for XBLA and PSN originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 May 2010 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flight Control rated for Wii

JC Fletcher — Thu, 13 May 2010 14:15:00 EST

Firemint's air traffic control game Flight Control, currently available for handhelds like the iPhone and DSi, appears to be moving to the big screen -- and no, we don't mean the iPad. (That already happened.) We mean the even bigger screen: your TV.

Australia's OFLC media review board has rated a Wii version of Flight Control, which would most likely point to a WiiWare release. This would be the first home console version of the game, and also the first not to use a touchscreen interface. Thanks to these altered controls, Flight Control for Wii could be either novel or annoying to fans of previous versions.

[Via Gamerbytes]

Flight Control rated for Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 May 2010 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 98 percent of Australians in support of R18+ rating

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 09 May 2010 21:00:00 EST

Australia's Federal Home Affairs group recently published a poll which may turn the heads on a few of the nation's governmental bodies. Out of the survey's 59,678 participants, 98.2 percent said they would support the oft-proposed addition of an R18+ rating for video games in the region.

Of course, more than half of the participants in said poll were turned on to it by an in-store promotion at select Australian EB Games. A somewhat more balanced selection of special interest groups were also allowed to respond to the survey, and only 53 percent showed support for the mature rating. By our amateur calculations, the actual percentage of Australian citizens who support the rating falls somewhere between the two. How about 86.3 percent? It's a totally made-up number, but ... it just seems right, doesn't it?

Report: 98 percent of Australians in support of R18+ rating originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 09 May 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OFLC rates 'Project Red' for EA [update]

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 03 May 2010 09:09:00 EST

Australia's OFLC has rated "Project Red" for EA, classifying it with an MA 15+ label. If the classification is related to "Project RedLime," it would likely be the rating for the alleged Syndicate game in production by Starbreeze Studios and EA. Of course, without the direct RedLime connection, this could be a rating for ... well, anything.

Also, if you find it strange (like we do) that the OFLC is rating games by using code names, this is just the most recent example. Last year, The Beatles: Rock Band was titled Rock Band Project 9. EA has apparently figured out how to get its paperwork into the OFLC without accidentally revealing a forthcoming game announcement.

Update: AustralianGamer got hold of the documents. It's Bulletstorm.

Gallery: Bulletstorm (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)

OFLC rates 'Project Red' for EA [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 May 2010 09:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rare NES game 'Ufouria' rated by OFLC, Virtual Console release possible

JC Fletcher — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST

Sunsoft has started to revitalize its brand with the help of Gaijinworks' Victor Ireland. The strategy includes re-releases of classic games on Nintendo's Virtual Console, including Blaster Master, and the creation of original content -- also Blaster Master, actually. If a new rating by the Australian OFLC board is any indication, Sunsoft is planning a Virtual Console release of Ufouria: The Saga, a rare NES game that never made it to North America.

Ufouria is a Metroidvania-style NES game starring Bop-Louie, who falls into a crater and is separated from this friends. Bop-Louie then explores the world in search of his lost companions, with his friends becoming playable once they are located. The game was released in Europe with an English translation, so if it does become a Virtual Console import, we'd even be able to read the text!

[Via Aussie-Nintendo]

Rare NES game 'Ufouria' rated by OFLC, Virtual Console release possible originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OFLC rates two new games by Chibi Robo, Art Style dev

JC Fletcher — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:15:00 EST

Two mysterious new games from a known DSiWare developer have been rated by Australia's OFLC. Skip, creator of most of the Art Style games -- as well as Chibi-Robo! -- is named as the author of both Light Trax and Penta Tentacles, with Nintendo as publisher.

Though no specific platform is named for either, Skip's recent output has been targeted entirely at the DS, with LOL and a Japan-only Chibi-Robo sequel released in addition to several DSiWare Art Style games. With all that evidence, we're guessing these two will be released on Game and Watch.

[Via Siliconera]

OFLC rates two new games by Chibi Robo, Art Style dev originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ubisoft's 'Bloody Good Time' rated in Australia

JC Fletcher — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:30:00 EST

The Australian OFLC ratings board has granted a rating to an Ubisoft game called Bloody Good Time -- a game that has yet to be quite announced, though Ubisoft already has a site for it. According to the blurb on the incomplete site, "Bloody Good Time is a game regrouping ambitious teen actors ready to kill for fame! Selected by a weird B-movie director looking for the best shot, they will do anything to get the lead role." How did this make it through the rating process in Australia, exactly?

A German USK rating further specifies this game as an Xbox Live Arcade release -- essentially leaving only release date and graphical styles as open questions. Well, that and the issue of whether you control the murderous teen actors, in which case it's a multiplayer shooter, or the director, in which case it's something really interesting.

Ubisoft's 'Bloody Good Time' rated in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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