Valve Appeals Left 4 Dead 2 Ban in Australia

By Kevin Parrish
published

Valve Software has appealed Australia's decision to ban Left 4 Dead 2 in that territory.

Yesterday Valve Software sent along a small announcement that it has formally appealed the OFLC's Australian ruling that has virtually banned the sale and distribution of Left 4 Dead 2 in that territory. Currently the game has scored ratings in all other foreign countries including Europe, Japan, Germany (gasp!), and even Korea. However, New Zealand and the United Kingdom are still marked as "in progress."

Last week the Australian Classifications Board refused to classify Valve's upcoming zombie shooter sequel, banning the game based on its "realistic, frenetic, and unrelenting violence," a feature many FPS games of late actually share. The game's high-impact violence was thus deemed unsuitable for gamers less than 18 years of age, and since there are no Adult Only ratings in Australia, the game thus remains in limbo.

"We were surprised to hear of this news yesterday," Valve's Doug Lombardi said last week. "Obviously, everyone at Valve is pretty bummed. It would be a shame if folks in Australia, or anywhere else, are unable to purchase Left 4 Dead 2 because of a ratings issue."

But there might be hope for L4D2. Apparently, there are some members on the OFLC who believes that the game could still classify under the MA 15+ rating, but with an added caption that advises consumers against strong violence as seen with the first Left 4 Dead installment. Valve said it would keep us informed on the issue.

Kevin Parrish
Topics
Software
51 Comments Comment from the forums
  • All they need to do is introduce an R18+ rating for games in Australia. Ppl will play the games anyway its just going to make it safer and more controlled.
    Reply
  • rebel conquest
    That's a very backward law :S
    Reply
  • the associate
    it's a game about shooting zombies isn't it? how in hell is that a bad thing? I wouldn't mind having a populace mentally trained and prepped for popping a zombie horde, would you?
    Reply
  • charlesxuma
    rebel conquestThat's a very backward law :S
    seriously ..... i mean how stupid can it get..... this is by far the dumbest thing iv heard ..... (until the next dumbest country makes some new crap up) we'v got australia in #1 dumbest .... second we have germany in #2 ....... any one else for 3rd (new zealand or UK maybe) ?

    .......to be continued
    Reply
  • B-Unit
    Yes, because we all know how effective a training tool an FPS is for actual use of a firearm.

    That and all these damn zombies running around...
    Reply
  • r0x0r
    And the government can also get the taxes on it.

    Seriously, if I want to play L4D2 here what is stopping me from buying it digitally from overseas and playing on an overseas server? If the overseas retailer won't sell it to me then I'll just fire up utorrent and then everyone loses.

    Just another example of how backward South Australia* is.

    *The only reason we do not have R18+ games in Australia is because of the South Australian attorney-general Michael Atkinson is opposed to it.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Atkinson
    Reply
  • pirateboy
    just replace the zombies with politicians and we will have heaven on earth
    Reply
  • the associate
    B-UnitYes, because we all know how effective a training tool an FPS is for actual use of a firearm. That and all these damn zombies running around...
    Sarcasm exists you know, and mental preparation doesn't = training use with actual firearms
    Reply
  • Kelavarus
    charlesxumaseriously ..... i mean how stupid can it get..... this is by far the dumbest thing iv heard ..... (until the next dumbest country makes some new crap up) we'v got australia in #1 dumbest .... second we have germany in #2 ....... any one else for 3rd (new zealand or UK maybe) ? .......to be continued
    1. If that's the dumbest thing you've heard, you haven't seen your own posts.

    2. Compared to things like the patent lawsuits, this is small apples for stupidity.

    the associateSarcasm exists you know, and mental preparation doesn't = training use with actual firearms
    ... Wasn't he using sarcasm right there himself?
    Reply
  • eklipz330
    Last week the Australian Classifications Board refused to classify Valve's upcoming zombie shooter sequel, banning the game based on its "realistic, frenetic, and unrelenting violence," a feature many FPS games of late actually share.


    yes, because shooting zombies is real, against the law, and racist. they have feelings too.

    no but seriously, its a rehash of the first game which came out not even a year ago, why do they make asses of themselves
    Reply