GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Soldier of Fortune: Payback gets "unbanned" in Australia

New Soldier of Fortune game reclassified down under thanks to "revised" version submitted by Activision.

185 Comments

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.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Join the conversation
There are 185 comments about this story
185 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for denaz
denaz

1196

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 25

User Lists: 0

Sick of this cr*p. Was going to buy this game, but no way i am now. i want the full game, not some censored peice of ...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for MrFisty
MrFisty

72

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 0

Can someone explain to me why the PS3 version is 10 bucks more expensive than the 360 version? And don't tell me it's BD manufacturing because that's the worst mark up I've seen.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for leon41235
leon41235

84

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 27

User Lists: 0

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Pipucho
Pipucho

72

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

is0lati0n, i know what you mean, but there is nothing you can do. Different cultures, Different rules.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for is0lati0n
is0lati0n

920

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

It way too unfair to ban a game in one country but not in another. I don't understand why they would do that. Do the OFLC think that we're gonna get a gun and go on a killing spree? I think not.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DiabolicalX
DiabolicalX

804

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 11

User Lists: 0

damn OFLC, Australia bans more games than any other country, jesus stop letting stupid politicians judge what we should play. Who wants to play a revised version of SoF anyway, what made the game good was its over the top violence

Upvote • 
Avatar image for rockatanski
rockatanski

606

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 30

User Lists: 0

LOL! This is hilarious!! I simply cannot believe how unbelievably stupid this OFLC is?!!! Within days I guarantee that there will be a patch which will unlock all the rag doll and gore features just like that!!! And get this... PATCHES ARE NOT ILLEGAL! Bravo to OFLC. What a bunch of monkeys.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for majorfoley
majorfoley

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

thats bull man they cant get rid of disemberment thats tight as they let it go past in soldier of fortune 2

Upvote • 
Avatar image for HylianHeart
HylianHeart

1094

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Good for Australia for toning down the game.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ctifer1
ctifer1

147

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

"okay, I must be missing something, cos when I played Gears of War, I'm pretty sure there was a ton of blood and loads of dismemberment." ----------------------------- I don't remember dismemberment in Gears, and if there was it was nothing compared to what's in Soldier of Fortune. The achievements are FOR dismemberment.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DaDude253
DaDude253

328

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 24

User Lists: 0

Kevin rud is aussies new priminster please make a r rating i love killing pople :P

Upvote • 
Avatar image for billybonkas
billybonkas

255

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

okay, I must be missing something, cos when I played Gears of War, I'm pretty sure there was a ton of blood and loads of dismemberment.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Sp1tfire88
Sp1tfire88

38

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

You're wrong scorpion, its not available anywhere in Australia, if your buddy really got it then he imported it.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for scorpion_great
scorpion_great

1572

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 11

User Lists: 0

"Soldier of Fortune Payback will be available in early 2008" honestly gamespot do your research first, the game already came out and a buddy of mine already bought it in Australia.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Reesicup
Reesicup

77

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

its a POS game

Upvote • 
Avatar image for earlmccormick88
earlmccormick88

621

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Ultra violent?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for vhx
vhx

81

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

No dismemberment? Isn't that the main feature of this game? The ability to dismember your opponents? :P

Upvote • 
Avatar image for conformist
conformist

83

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Seems like one pricey game.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for nicky1973
nicky1973

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Just remember though...sites like Gameplay in the UK and game sites in New Zealand (of all places lol) are supplying the uncut versions of this game...online shopping overseas is a beautiful thing :)

Upvote • 
Avatar image for GANGSTA287
GANGSTA287

967

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

it's 89.95 Austrialian Dollars... different currency...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Makhdoom82
Makhdoom82

1123

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 17

User Lists: 0

Come on man after all it's a soldier killing people, that's not bad !!!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for skywarp001
skywarp001

199

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

bring the rain

Upvote • 
Avatar image for mercenar3
mercenar3

2238

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

mad lame. feel bad for all you aussies they cut all that made sof - soldier of fortune hopefully it will at least be a good shooter. Why is the ps3 version $89.95? That's a heck of alot of money for one game!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Alkerio
Alkerio

67

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

It's because stupid politicians all see videogames as toys instead of an actual hobby, like it actually is.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for MKOwnzU
MKOwnzU

51

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

That sucks for Australia, we Americans love our blood and ragdoll effects!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for 401225
401225

41

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

What a %@ck this is getting more strictly while the time passes.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Noclippin
Noclippin

777

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

a bloody game without blood is like a game without gameplay.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Riverwolf007
Riverwolf007

26023

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Can it be revised so it is actually a good game?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for u_poop
u_poop

183

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

common dont be liberal Austraila...i am getting this fo ps3

Upvote • 
Avatar image for widdleskater
widdleskater

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

"Australia's got to be the worst part of the commonwealth. Here in Canada nothing gets banned. I'm pretty sure I can still find copies of Postal 2 here." keyhunter, if not being able to play a few games makes your country the worst in the commonwealth, maybe you could get out of your chair, go outside for a run in the snow and get a life. maybe there's more to life than video games.... :o oh and while you're on your run, think of me going for a swim at the beach on a warm summer day, after playing one of the other 99.9% of un-banned uncensored games available in this great country, Australia

Upvote • 
Avatar image for widdleskater
widdleskater

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

PseudoFinrod , the only thing that gets banned here are the worst games... you can still view and read whatever you want, unless you're into scatty porn and weird things like that, although there is a territory here whaere all of that is actually legal, so it's okay, you can come and enjoy australia with all the 'perks' you get in other countries, as long as you're in the right part of the country.... :)

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Voodoo2k3
Voodoo2k3

5630

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 24

User Lists: 0

You know something is wrong with your rating system when your highest rating for the most intensely violent games legally allowed in your country can be purchased by 15 year olds......... I wonder what the problem could be??? Hmmmm

Upvote • 
Avatar image for raghraghragh
raghraghragh

6613

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: -1

User Lists: 0

@MessiahKnot Correct! In fact, the MAJORITY of gamers are well above the age of 18.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for MessiahKnot
MessiahKnot

179

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

I know its been said before, but it really is stupid the 'R18+' classification hasn't been extended to games, yet it exists for movies. It makes no sense. The age of gamers varies greatly, and a large portion are adults - yet no rating exists to cater for them. The OFLC need to wake up.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for P3ll1n0r3
P3ll1n0r3

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Banning / Censor has no good effects. If a "full" version exist, ppl will get that instead even if it comes down to "piracy". I wonder if the same rules apply to movies, *gosh* many movies should be banned.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for PimpiNbananas
PimpiNbananas

1911

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Does the Maximum M15 rating only applies to video games or does it apply to movies too? Does this mean 15 year olds could buy Pornos in Australia???

Upvote • 
Avatar image for jaredrichards3
jaredrichards3

452

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

why $10 more on the ps3

Upvote • 
Avatar image for hazelnutman
hazelnutman

9688

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

times like this when I'm glad I'm in North America.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for sponge94
sponge94

54

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

What is the point of banning a game and taking out all of the good parts so it can be "unbanned". By the time you "unban" the game, gamers are not going to not want to play the it as much making it practically useless. The whole thing of banning games is ridiculous and stupid because if you want people to have fun playing videogames then you should keep it as it is and not "censor" it. If you cannot handle the gore in a game then just don't buy it, because i'm sure that it is a lot harder to ban one game from an entire country then to just tell people to not buy it if they can't handle it. I'm sure that Australia is a great place but banning games is just not right.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for quietguy
quietguy

1218

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

Kinda ironic that AUS bans and unbans, it just as Singapore bans & unbans Mass Effect for the 360 and yet both are followed by an incredibly ridiculous chirade of media circus.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for bennie12
bennie12

381

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

It's a game based on a friggen magazine. It's stupid.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for rainierflu
rainierflu

207

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Who cares the game is crap...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Vandalvideo
Vandalvideo

39655

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 16

User Lists: 0

Poor ausies.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for zinstro
zinstro

104

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Wow hopefully this and manhunt 2 don't show a trend that is starting

Upvote • 
Avatar image for abbnormmal
abbnormmal

315

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Dear Australians, please transmit the coordinates of your OFLC office to us in America, and we will gladly deliver a tactical nuke to their location.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Proman84
Proman84

888

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Meh, the game should not have been banned in the first place. And Australia obviously needs an additional and higher rating more more adult games.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Alkerio
Alkerio

67

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

Activision probably would have saved money leaving it banned. This game is crap.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for PseudoFinrod
PseudoFinrod

461

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Once again, how very generous of them to unban a game when they should not have the right to ban it in the first place! It is this kind of thing that makes me glad I live in the U.S.-sorry, Aussies, you've a lovely country that is great to visit, but I would never want to live in a place where the government could tell me what I could and couldn't play, view, and read.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for SecretWasianMan
SecretWasianMan

1462

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

This SoF kinda came outta nowhere imo. I wonder if its gonna be the black sheep of the series.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for shadow9669
shadow9669

702

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 12

User Lists: 0

i don't know why the country's even bother banning games when in the end they end up unbanning them anyway.

Upvote •