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Aliens vs. Predator banned in Australia

[UPDATE] Sega and Rebellion's xenomorph-versus-hunter-versus-marines reboot refused classification down under; censor cites explicit violence.

In the '80s-era action film Predator, Austrian beefcake and now California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger famously quipped, "If it bleeds, we can kill it." It seems Australia's Classification Board didn't like the amount of bleeding present in Sega and Rebellion's upcoming Aliens vs. Predator reboot for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC, effectively banning the game down under by refusing it classification.

The latest banning comes in the same week that the massively multiplayer online game CrimeCraft was refused classification for showing positive effects from in-game drug use. In Aliens vs. Predator's case, however, it seems violence was the key offender, with a Classification Board spokesperson confirming to GameSpot AU that the game's bloody content was to blame.

Sega Australia has confirmed the banning and has not ruled out appealing the decision. "SEGA Australia can today confirm that the initial submission of Aliens vs Predator has been refused classification by the Classification Operations Board of Australia. We will continue to investigate all options available to us, including the possibility of appeal," the company said in a statement.

In previous game bans in Australia, some developers have opted to make changes to their games in order to pass the classification process. The most recent example is the toned-down version of Left 4 Dead 2. Valve was forced to release the revised edition down under when the original, unedited version was banned.

GameSpot AU has requested a full copy of the board's decision but had not received it at the time of publication.

[UPDATE] The Classification Board has now released its official ruling to GameSpot AU, and Aliens vs. Predator's high-impact violence was indeed a motivating factor for the ban.

"The game contains first-person perspective, close-up depictions of human characters being subjected to various types of violence, including explicit decapitation and dismemberment as well as locational damage such as stabbing through the chest, mouth, throat, or eyes," the board report stated.

"Characters can be stabbed with a Predator's wrist blade or an Alien's tail in depictions reminiscent of impalement. The Predator collects 'trophies' by explicitly ripping off human heads, their spinal columns dangling from severed necks. Heads can be twisted completely around in order to break a character's neck. Eyes can be stabbed through or gouged, leaving empty, bloodied eye sockets.

"It is noted that a player is able to combine manoeuvres together in quick succession, which further increases impact; for example, a Predator can stab a character through both eyes with its wrist blade and rip off their head, with spinal column still attached. Extensive post-mortem damage, including decapitation and dismemberment, is also possible."

393 Comments

  • wbezuidenhout

    Posted Feb 3, 2010 3:50 pm GMT

    @Oz_Pvt_Parts,

    Wow, you really seem to be missing the point... The target audience for the developers ARE R18+ (Yes, actually, people older than 18 do play games, I know it's a difficult concept, but try and comprehend it because it will help you a LOT).

    So they are dead-on with their target audience, the problem is Oz (Playing the part of 'Nanny Nagsalot'), lacking an R18+ rating for games, can't fit it into their MA15 rating (Since the game wasn't made for and doesn't target 15 year olds), and so they ban it (They do, however, have an R18+ rating for movies... Their hypocrisy is almost palatable.).

  • lightitupf0ol

    Posted Jan 12, 2010 10:54 am GMT

    bwahahhahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahan haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahhaha

  • Vaultboy-101

    Posted Dec 14, 2009 1:38 pm GMT

    But if we aussies order it from another country wont they stop it at customs? Ive seen border security how they take apart all the movies and games and stuff so wouldnt they stop it because its banned? If people have imported before i dont understand how it got through.

  • Vaultboy-101

    Posted Dec 14, 2009 1:34 pm GMT

    And how about with fallout 3 you blow peoples heads off and stuff and arms and legs and everythin but they banned it because of morphine use. Its like Atkinson goes with a pal and they flip a coin. Tails means banned and heads means not banned.But its a rigged coin with two tails so they just ban everything violent. Im not missing the great experience of this game just because some government idiot bans everything.

  • Vaultboy-101

    Posted Dec 14, 2009 1:31 pm GMT

    WAit I never heard anything about getting it in february?I hope thats true so then ill be getting this game on the release day.

  • Hermes33

    Posted Dec 14, 2009 1:13 am GMT

    @Peligroso_Voce "Ummmm...We don't HAVE an R18 classification...otherwise this would all be a moot point. Get your facts straight before you mouth off."

    I KNOW you don't have it NOW, but guess what? Checked the news lately? Oh look... surprise surprise! Looks like you might GET it in February 2010 anyway like I said. Hear the whooshing noises over your head? That was my whole point. Aside from making a valid observation about how incredibly gullible people seem to be here - believing everything they read in the "news" at face value - I was just saying that I bet Rebellion KNEW all along about the upcoming public vote and used it by spinning the story to their own advantage. They just played the "banned" card and the "sticking to our principles" story to make themselves look good and boost the sales hype, that's all. But no, you're probably right, Rebellion wouldn't stoop so low to use viral marketing tactics... NOBODY uses that anymore. Rrrrright... /sarcasm

  • CamoBullo

    Posted Dec 12, 2009 7:21 pm GMT

    I'm outraged, honestly. When I first read this in a magazine, I said to myself, "This'll be fantastic game." But now, looking at this, I just feel like having a mass protest. Honestly, I could've rented Left 4 Dead 2 yesterday just to see what was edited. But this... This crosses the line.

    The closest thing to an R18+ rating is the MA15+ rating, because under where MA15+ and the details of the game, there's a black section where it says "Restricted" in white.

    And come on, look at Ninja Gaiden II, enemies commit suicide just to attempt to kill you. Blood is everywhere, and I mean everywhere. There can not be one action scene where you don't decapitate someone. The only difference is that the deceased enemies disappear. Team Ninja/Tecmo at least had the decency to do that.

    Rebellion has to edit the game, they can't let everyone else enjoy it except us. It's bullsh*t.

  • Oz_Pvt_Parts

    Posted Dec 12, 2009 3:06 am GMT

    I think that most gamers who voice their opinions over this issue are generally very biased towards the OFLC, or (much more likely) those who want an R18+ category in Aus (which, by the way, is a great country to live in). Nobody I've seen seems to consider both sides of the equation. While the lack of an R18+ rating is unfair on Aussies, everybody must remember that not only the OFLC is to blame... most people who work there are only doing their jobs. And blame also rests with the developers of these banned games... failing to fully consider their target audiences is a MASSIVE mistake. It is up to them to adjust their product(s) and meet expectations (in this case, either the removal of offending material for a subsequent edited version, or staying within the boundaries in the first place).

    Now, because of the failures of both the developers and the OFLC, gamers will look towards pirated versions.... bypassing the OFLC and denying the developers any profit. Nobody wins.

  • stormbard

    Posted Dec 11, 2009 2:13 am GMT

    Another game I'll have to acquire elsewhere. Unbelievable. I've never loved living in SA, but this is ridiculous!

  • izzy_reb_02

    Posted Dec 10, 2009 10:47 pm GMT

    I came accross a pentition to actually have a R18+ system rating in QLD. So luckily I live in QLD, so if things are about to change, then QLD is a state in Queensland to have a system rating on games R18+

    This is wat i found

    "Finally some people in power are getting in on the act. The parliament of the Australian state of queensland has made the following statement and opened an e-petition:

    Quote:
    TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland
    Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that the Classification of Computer Games and Images Act 1995 is currently out of step with the wishes of the electorate.

    Your petitioners, therefore, request the House that it be amended to permit computer games to receive the R18+ classification when they have been refused classification under the Commonwealth Act. "

    If you live in QLD then sign this http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/EPetitions_qld/CurrentEPetition.aspx?PetNum=1346&lIndex=-1

    If this goes to pass then other states will most likely follow to. Except for one

  • redbeef88

    Posted Dec 10, 2009 5:37 pm GMT

    take action! support R18+ video games classification in Australia:

    http://www.escapetheory.com.au/blog/?p=445

  • sameera858

    Posted Dec 10, 2009 3:49 pm GMT

    This is Freaking Bull Sh#T! Why these classifiaction guys go and buy some balls. They just making life harder for everyone! I was waiting for this game for a long time! Now I'm totally Dissapointed! They censor all the R+18 games but I'm pretty sure they not going to change anything about how much R+18 XXX in their computers. Wonder if they like it when theiir favourite porn censored to a MA15+ one! Does it feel the same??? This is totally gay

  • plasmabullet

    Posted Dec 10, 2009 3:39 pm GMT

    I've had enough of this bull !@#$.

  • KillerWabbit23

    Posted Dec 10, 2009 3:01 pm GMT

    @ thibbledorfP:
    You bring up a good point, however, that doesn't justify what they're doing.

  • Peligroso_Voce

    Posted Dec 10, 2009 2:01 pm GMT

    @HERMES33 "Mark my words. Look for a new "update" in February 2010 when the Classification Board have a "rethink" and finally give it an 18 rating after all."

    Ummmm...We don't HAVE an R18 classification...otherwise this would all be a moot point. Get your facts straight before you mouth off.

    @ Aust Gov - Bring on the public consultation for the R18 so we can all get on with enjoying our games!

  • Hayabusa17

    Posted Dec 10, 2009 2:51 am GMT

    actully everyone dont blame australia blame the guy that doesent let violent games come to au

  • Hayabusa17

    Posted Dec 10, 2009 2:48 am GMT

    stupid australia any way wernt the bringin r 18+ games in to australia

  • bropie

    Posted Dec 10, 2009 1:33 am GMT

    I am importing this

  • Latino1982

    Posted Dec 10, 2009 12:17 am GMT

    Well I guess the pirates copies in Australia are going to be high! How many australian gamers are going to download this game? I would do it if my government said: this game is not coming to your country.

  • poll1sim2

    Posted Dec 9, 2009 9:59 pm GMT

    this is so crap why cant Rebellion just lower the gore down a little bit, and the goverment what frigen tools there trying to turn all games into sutable games for kids WTF, Ive been waiting for this game for nearly a year now and now its not coming out get young people to run the goverment.

  • thibbledorfP

    Posted Dec 9, 2009 6:34 pm GMT

    @killerwabbit23. The movie won't be banned because the majority of voters in Australia (in the 35-50 year old range) watch movies, and would be outraged if the govt tried to take that away. Video games are a newer and less mainstream medium, the majority of voters are not familiar with them. So the government can use it as a scapegoat more easily, and violate the rights of video game players much more easily.

  • bradcv8

    Posted Dec 9, 2009 6:03 pm GMT

    who care what the goverment think they can't stop us from getting it, ever heard of buying online. just get a copy from the UK. and the goverment can go get bent.

  • zerobeo

    Posted Dec 9, 2009 3:58 pm GMT

    Im glad that i didnt chose to go to Australia for studies lol

  • KillerWabbit23

    Posted Dec 9, 2009 3:09 pm GMT

    sigh... it had to happen. Again. *crosses out "visiting Australia" on to-do list*
    Another thing... If this is banned, why isn't the movie? It's just as bad, right? (correct me if I'm wrong)

  • TeaTowlNinja

    Posted Dec 9, 2009 7:34 am GMT

    Thank god I don't live there anymore, because if I did I'd so be up in arms about the banning of one of THE most successful sci-fi franchises if all time. It's ridculous how facist their rating system is over there, people should have the right to decide for thmeselves if a game is or is not too violent.

    I mean I grew up on the Alien and Predator films, and I don't remember any occasion where I had the urge to..."stab a character through both eyes with its wrist blade and rip off their head, with spinal column still attached"....Well, beyond the age of 10

  • SAMARAI117

    Posted Dec 9, 2009 1:53 am GMT

    message me if u agree

  • SAMARAI117

    Posted Dec 9, 2009 1:50 am GMT

    bloody hell!!!!!! i was gonna get this but now its getting BANNED!!!!!! now wat there gonna do a left for dead 2 and make a virson for little kids! people cmon there ruining games like this it wont be the same if it is changed into a crap aus version for 10 yr olds.ppl agree wit me you know its true

  • ActionManly

    Posted Dec 8, 2009 11:23 pm GMT

    "Mummy, did that pixel that was previously occupied by that virtual man's head just turn red?" "Yes it did sonny, yes it did. You are terrible, evil person in the Virtual World." "Mummy, why the heck are you letting me play this R18+ game anyway?"

    "Because it is MY job, not some moron 'politician's' job to say what is right and not right for my child!"

  • TongLong

    Posted Dec 8, 2009 9:05 pm GMT

    LOL!!!

    Next thing on the banning list, ice cream, puppy dogs, rainbows, and the laughter of children! I think the video game regulatory group down there needs to lay off of the platypus eggs at breakfast or something.

    Yo want to ban BAD GAMES, ban all of the TV based crap / shovel ware being made for the Wii!!!

  • zintarr

    Posted Dec 8, 2009 7:14 pm GMT

    Australia...the new Iran!

  • cruzerramos

    Posted Dec 8, 2009 7:11 pm GMT

    This is stupid, people should have the freedom to do whatever they want, as long as it doesn't hurt themselves or anyone else, which this game certainly will not.

  • nevryn

    Posted Dec 8, 2009 4:02 pm GMT

    @Hermes33
    You're one of those people that thinks the government is putting fluoride in the drinking water so they can take over your mind aren't you? This has nothing to do with advertising and more to do with pre-planning. A game is required to be rated in order to be sold. Why in the world would companies WAIT till after the game is finished and printed to see what a notoriously difficult review board will make them change? It would be a total waste of money. Instead you see what the board will say before you spend money printing all those DVDs to send, and decide if it's worth making a localized copy or not. Perhaps banned is the wrong word, but then you're just arguing semantics. But arguing they do this just for advertisement sake is just moronic and paranoid.

  • partytimekegs

    Posted Dec 8, 2009 8:58 am GMT

    I'm definitely never going to Australia.
    Glad I wasn't born there.

  • Irve

    Posted Dec 8, 2009 3:36 am GMT

    I hope Rebelion and Sega stick to their guns on this one and people in Oz just import from NZ

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Dec 7, 2009 10:23 pm GMT

    I am just happy the game is this close to completion.

  • mabbb

    Posted Dec 7, 2009 5:25 pm GMT

    When I watch the news after every weekend I always see violence and drunkeness and they go together . There are many reasons why violence happens but the common denominator is that people are not in control of themselves . This has nothing to do with a video game . Australia has strict gun laws which is fine . But it doesn't stop the violence . People get bashed and stabbed instead . It is people who are out of control ! So the government should be asking . What are the things that contribute to people being out of control ?

  • mabbb

    Posted Dec 7, 2009 4:45 pm GMT

    It is all to do with seeming to do the right thing about the prevention of violence . So blame the video game . Maybe they should make a game about doctors performing abortions . Oh they couldn't ban that because the Victorian government made into law the removal of a baby from the womb in 2008. Oh I.m sorry I just talked about the real world not a video game !So is an abortion an act of violence or is it simply an operation ?If a feutus is a part of the womans body then why does he/she have an independent blood group and type . Considering we are on the subject of blood ! I have never heard of someone doing something violent because they were pretending to be an Alien or a predator .

  • x-2tha-z

    Posted Dec 7, 2009 11:42 am GMT

    It's crazy that AUS still doesn't have an 18+ rating. Why is that anyway? Does the Australian government think people stop playing games once they reach 15 years old?

  • Chickenesta

    Posted Dec 7, 2009 8:42 am GMT

    Would most of this be fixed if Australia had in place an 18+ or 21+ certification

  • Airpirate_basic

    Posted Dec 7, 2009 8:03 am GMT

    i think it is the height of hypocrisy that a country that used to forcibly remove mixed-race children from their families and send them to internment centers (until the 1970's, no less) thinks this 'violent' game is dangerous and should be banned.

  • cadburysgalaxy

    Posted Dec 7, 2009 7:59 am GMT

    @Hermes33
    lol! hit the nail on the head!! this is proof why viral marketing tactics are used so much. just look at all the 'angry' comments n people sayin how much they want the game now! most ppl are far too stupid these days to realize a game can't be banned before the official release, they just love to complain about nothing, love being dumb, love being scammed and lied to! proof that SPIN sells.

  • Depresso

    Posted Dec 7, 2009 6:57 am GMT

    Frankly I don't sharing all the condemnation for the Classification Board who have a very serious and responsible job to do. Surely The developers could have included the option to tone down the game violence. As for Crimseshaft, it serve them right, I think one thing is to entertain the other is to distribute mindless material which is promote the use of drugs. At some point some one has to draw the line. It's not what you show is how you show it, the angle and stance you take that makes a big difference.

  • spOOoOOn

    Posted Dec 7, 2009 6:46 am GMT

    "Characters can be stabbed.... ....reminiscent of impalement"

    Do these people really get paid for making these earthshattering connections?

  • CurvedSword

    Posted Dec 7, 2009 4:58 am GMT

    @ Thereisnotri
    yeh description which australians use as they think the game is disgusting is what makes us want the game - stupid australians

  • Thereisnotri

    Posted Dec 7, 2009 3:43 am GMT

    What a great advert for the game! After reading the last paragraph of the ruling I can't wait to buy it and play as a Predator ;D

  • izzy_reb_02

    Posted Dec 7, 2009 1:08 am GMT

    There are games like doom 3 and stuff and it got rated 17+ so.. cant they sumhow change the ratting. Like gosh there are other games that are volience like this game but aint as bad.

    I wuldnt be happy if they have to edit this game just to sell it in australia. Coz It wuld like the true way of how the species kill each other n stuff. it would be sad if they dont show their true nature on how they hunt n how they kill.

  • izzy_reb_02

    Posted Dec 7, 2009 1:05 am GMT

    There are other games that are like rated 18 but still went through. Like Turok was like stabbin dinosaurs in the eye when they come close to u and stuff and how u see the T-Rex head blown off.. And Quake 4 had the strogg stabb in the heart of the marines n stuff..

    There are other games still went through even though it had volience like that.

    Its Sad.. Really it is.

  • Perth2008

    Posted Dec 7, 2009 1:05 am GMT

    Well Atkinson has been fairly consistent, although unpopular, in his message/crusade ... even though OFLC hasn't been.

    I don't think things will change too much on banning certain media/games, especially as the Liberal Party have shifted from a centrist platform back to the far right (and debatably religious right). So unless changes in legislation to permit R18+ ratings are passed soon, under Labour, it will only get tougher.

  • wexorian

    Posted Dec 6, 2009 10:51 pm GMT

    wow another game banned in Australia hehe. they could sell under 18 year it should be enough + people will get game after all they cannot ban player PC or platform after all

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