lol bad luck queensland, i fill sorry for them, back in the 80's certain horror movies were banned in Queensland, Day of the dead, re-animator etc, at least Victoria is getting that is all matters to me.
God of War: Ascension pulled from Qld shelves - Report
By
Dan Chiappini, Editor of GameSpot AU
PlayStation-exclusive action game is unavailable due to lack of R18+ rating; retailers instructed to remove promotional material and refuse pre-orders.
Even before it goes on sale, God of War: Ascension is allegedly being removed from a Queensland retailer’s store shelves, according to a report on Kotaku. While the game has allegedly been granted the recently introduced R18+ rating, the move comes as a result of Queensland's failure to pass its complementary state legislation in line with the national classification introduced on January 1 this year.
An internal notice addressed to its Queensland stores claims:
“We have just been advised that God of War: Ascension has been rated R18+. As Queensland has not passed legislation for the R18+ rating for games, we must remove all reference to God of War: Ascension immediately,” stated the memo. “This includes all game slicks, posters, pamphlets, handwritten signage, two-way units, and pre-order signage.”
The message went on to note that the retailer (which was not identified) cannot sell copies of the PlayStation-exclusive game in the state, or accept customer pre-orders.
The Queensland Government is currently awaiting the result of a Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee report--which was due to be released on February 7, 2013--before debating the R18+ legislation in parliament, and seeking to amend state law to include an R18+ classification for video games.
EB Games Australia currently lists a pre-order for the game on its website, though it makes specific reference to its unavailability to Queensland purchasers.
God of War: Ascension is the fourth major console release in the franchise, and is the first game in the series to add an objective-based multiplayer mode. The game is scheduled to release in all other Australian states and territories on March 14 this year.
GameSpot AU contacted Sony Computer Entertainment Australia for comment. The publisher confirmed that it will shortly be issuing a public statement.
By
Dan Chiappini, Editor of GameSpot AU
Raised by the warm glow of arcade machine monitors and TV screens, Dan's lifelong passion has always been games. PC, console, mobile, handheld, you name it, he'll play it. He also enjoys photography, long walks on the beach, and clichés.
19 comments
The Republic of Queensland - formerly known as 'The Sunshine State'. :)
Glad I live here. :)( < LOLSAD.
Its not really fair since it is in the same country, that this part of the country can have it and this part can't, but it is really easy to take it to QLD anyway..
1 Like It's a stupid law and it's easily circumvented, so they really just need to have out and be done with it. I have 2 friends in Australia that end up sending me money through paypal and I buy the games they want and mail it to them. All it's doing is costing them more money and it's not actually stopping anybody from playing them.
I kinda feel sorry for auusie gamers that politics ruins all this, but I guess they can still "import" from another state.
That committee reported on 4 Feb - http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Documents/TableOffice/TabledPapers/2013/5413T1894.pdf
The report recommends the Bill be passed into law. It should be debated next week in Parliament and Qld will catch up with the rest of the world!
People who want it will get it elsewhere from a multitude of avenues - pulling it from just the Queensland shelves is pointless bureaucracy wasting everyone's time and money.
How hard is it to just come up with a game ratings system. What does the government care about it anyway, the ESRB operates outside the US and Canadian governments. Europe's PEGI or whatever they call it probably does as well.
@flyersfan87 We do have a ratings system. Federal government has passed the legisations but the governments of each state and territory have to instate it within their jurisdiction independantly.
Queensland simply hasn't done it yet.
2 Like it's understandable. QLD with a premier so arse backwards he's already lost half his ministers, booted out a horde of still angry casual/temp public servents ... was so shit out of luck with ideas that he tried holding town hall meetings to get your average joe to come up with ideas on how he should run his government...
... then he gets hit with a flood that wasn't supposed to happen.... and inbetween all that they've barely had a chance to go on holiday.... of course there's no time to go to parliament and pass any new bills.
2 Like LoL Australia has some really messed up Politicians, rise up my friends ~ beat the system.
Anyone else feeling a business ventre being start up as we speak... Sending "illegal" copies to the north?
Conversation powered by Livefyre
Content you might like…
-
God of War: Ascension Video Review
Kratos is back in God of War Ascension, but has he still got what it takes to slay the demon hordes? Mark Walton finds out in this video review.
- Mar 7, 2013
Users who looked at this article also looked at these content items.
Hot Stories
Newsmakers
-
Xbox One has preowned fee - Report
Microsoft confirms all discs must be installed to HDD to play; secondhand owners required to pay an unspecified fee. Full Story
- Posted May 21, 2013 11:44 am PT
-
Xbox One will launch this year
Microsoft formally announces Xbox 360 successor during media event; will support live TV and Skype; features 500GB hard drive, 8GB RAM, Blu-ray drive; 64-bit architecture. Full Story
- Posted May 21, 2013 10:09 am PT
Featured Stories
-
The Simpsons writer signs on for Angry Birds movie
Emmy-winning writer Jon Vitti, who penned "Mr. Plow" episode of The Simpsons, working on 2016 film based on Rovio's game. Full Story
- Posted May 20, 2013 12:23 pm PT
-
Grand Theft Auto V premium bundles revealed
$150 Collector's Edition includes money bag, snapback hat, blueprint map, artwork, and various in-game items and bonuses; all preorders receive access to pilot atomic blimp vehicle. Full Story
- Posted May 23, 2013 5:44 am PT
-
Atari to sell RollerCoaster Tycoon, Test Drive franchises at auction
Bankrupt publisher hoping to bring in at least $22 million from upcoming asset auctions. Full Story
- Posted May 23, 2013 9:43 am PT
-
38 Studios court case begins
Arguments in legal battle between defunct Amalur developer and Rhode Island presented in court today; state claims it has "avalanche" of evidence against 38 Studios. Full Story
- Posted May 22, 2013 1:51 pm PT
-
Katie Couric acknowledges one-sided violent video games report
Network journalist acknowledges one-sided violent video game report; invitations to Bungie and the Entertainment Software Association were declined. Full Story
- Posted May 20, 2013 10:45 pm PT
Submit News
Related Game
God of War: Ascension
Not Following
- Publisher(s): SCEA
- Developer(s): SCE Santa Monica
- Genre: Action
- Release:
- ESRB: M
Recent News
-
GameStop shares slide on Xbox One preowned rumors
[UPDATE] Share value down more 13 percent today amid new reports claiming GameStop's business could be hurt by Microsoft's rumored used game policy for...
