Soldier of Fortune: Payback gets "unbanned" in Australia

Last month, Activision's ultra-violent shooter Soldier of Fortune: Payback fell victim to Australia's game ratings laws, being banned for sale after it was refused classification by the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC).

It seems Soldier of Fortune's fortunes have been reversed, however, with Activision Australia today releasing a statement saying a revised version of the game had been reclassified by the OFLC as MA15+ for strong violence, coarse language, and sexual references. MA15+ is the highest rating a game can be given in Australia.

An Activision Australia spokesman said the revised version of the game featured reduced rag doll physics, no dismemberment with enemies (alive or dead), and toned-down blood effects.

Soldier of Fortune: Payback joins games like Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which were both banned for a short period of time in Australia before being reclassified after some content changes.

Soldier of Fortune Payback will be available in early 2008 down under for the Xbox 360 for A$79.95, the PC for A$49.95, and the PS3 for A$89.95.