July 10th 2008



In what may possibly be some of the most disappointing news for Australian gamers in recent memory, that magnum opus of post-apocalyptic gaming, Fallout 3, appears to have been refused classification by the Classification Board of Australia (OFLC).

The Classification board has yet to make it clear exactly why Fallout 3 has been refused classification. However, as the game features drug use and other potentially mature topics, it's possible that many aspects raised the concern of Australia's censors. Sadly, it appears incresingly likely that Australia will see either a censored version of quite possibly, no version at all. Games that are refused classification are not only not allowed to be advertised, they're not allowed to be sold, hired, or demonstrated within Australian borders.

It remains unclear as to whether the game will be made available in other PAL regions, New Zealand being a prime example.

PalGN

The OFLC official website has this information available:

Classification RC
Consumer Advice

Category Computer Games
Version ORIGINAL
Duration variable
Date of Classification 4 July 2008

Author BETHESDA GAME STUDIOS
Publisher ZENIMAX EUROPE LTD
Production Company NOT SHOWN
Country of Origin USA

Applicant ZENIMAX EUROPE LTD.
File Number T08/2707
Classification Number 5371155D


We currently have no reason as to why Fallout 3 is banned, which is worrying enough without remembering that one of the most anticipated titles of the year is not going to be easily accessible to the gamers of Australia.

Fallout 3 was due to be released on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 in October 2008.

run "Oh fiddle dee dee this is a dilly of a pickle" through the swear-o-tron to get my opinion on our ratings system

I can't believe this considering the games that have been released recently. Ninja Gaiden 2 is full of blood and dismemberment. GTAIV had random violence, drug use, alcohol use, strippers, prostitutes...

Yet another spit in the face for Australian video game retailers, distributors and consumers. If the OFLC continues to ban semi big name games all of the lost revenue is going to add up significantly.

How long will it be before the OFLC realises that if people want to play these banned games they can just import or resort to piracy?

The important thing here is to not get shitty with the OFLC. They can only make the decisions based on the rules given to them by the government.

It's our government and the SA Attorney General Michael Atkinson who you should be shitty at because he's the one person blocking an R18+ rating for videogames.

Anyway, I'll probably import the PS3 version from a country without classification laws as stupid as ours

I'm going to try to import a PS3 Collectors Edition as soon as possible, because a) I don't play enough on my PS3 and b) it'll be region free and probably cheaper than a Standard Edition would cost here.

I seriously think there needs to be a petition written to the PM or someone high up in the government; it's a large enough issue to be taken into consideration nowadays. The fact that only one person is blocking it, and that that single person is restricting adult-orientated games from adults (considering the average age of gamers in Australia is what, 26-28 nowadays) is ridiculous. Maybe there should be tougher laws on the sale of R18 rated material to minors.

The first major release to be banned in Australia since GTA3 and San Andreas......Wow I hate this country. :(

Yeah the OFLC is only going on the standards of the classificatons laws, which I believe haven't been updated since 1995, there's been numerous attempts to update them, but that SA dude keeps stuffing it up <_<

Would you rather live in Burma?

I know Fallout 3's going to be awesome and all, yes it does suck that it's been refused classification, but it's really a frivolous thing to be making such a big call. You could have much worse things to complain about.

Comments like that make me think that we take games way too seriously.

(Please don't take this as flame-bait, I still love you guys!)

Yeah dave there are worse things in the world, but look at the bitch thread it's full of trivial complaints, why is complaining about games any different?

I should run as an independent for Michael Atkinson's seat.

With you guys behind me I'm sure to win!

VOTE 1 STEVO

I'd vote for you.
From WA.
Hell, I'd move to SA temporarily to vote for you!

And yes it is a frivolous issue in the worldwide scheme of things, but this whole forum would be considered frivolous if all we worried about was Burma and other countries in crisis.

This issue directly affects us, whereas we only know about Burma through media attention and humanitarian peoples. It doesn't affect us directly.

We also know not enough about Burma (well this is me anyway) to intelligently debate the issues there at the moment, and so any debate we had about that would be frivolous anyways :P

Plus Burma is old news.

THIS IS FALLOUT GUYHS >: ( >: (

I'm writing a polite letter to Atkinson.

Oldschool snail mail postage style!

I expect it to be ignored or replied to with a pre-written template that misses the point entirely but it's all I can do.

EDIT

Maybe not

Here's a response he gave someone else who wrote to him

I weep for us :(

I hope you get a reply Stevo. WON'T SOMEBODY THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!?!?!

For those that can't be bothered with an actual letter here is his email address (and disturbing photo).

http://www.sa.alp.org.au/people/sa/atkinson_michael.php

I don't know if I will write to him now.

Most of the arguments I was going to make, such as how a R Rating will actually help to protect kids because it will make it illegal to sell the games to them, he's just buried his head in the sand about.

So unless I think of something witty that will make him think and not damage our cause, I don't think I will bother

That's true, it was just that Drake's comment struck a nerve with me; it's one thing to complain about various things, but saying that you hate the country because you can't play a certain video game just seems a little extreme to me. It's like if a child tells his mummy that he hates her because he won't buy him a Curly Wurly, but she provides for him and takes care of him in most other ways.

I know I'm being pedantic, and I don't mean to attack Drake, either, it just struck a nerve with me.

Anyway, back on topic, it sucks that Fallout 3's been refused classification yada yada yada...

I hate you Dave, buy me a Curly Wurly

Pick one up for me too :P

Yeah it was just an off the cuff comment really, I got angry quickly and replied quickly...that's all. :)

Curly Wurly's for everyone!

It's cool Drake, I still love you :wub: ^_^

In a growing sign that I'm aging, I wrote a letter to the Attorney back in March when this was a hot issue. I received requests for my snail mail address, but received nothing (after providing it to them).

I sent another email to remind them in May. I received an email asking for my address again. Again, I provided it to them, and received nothing.

however, it seems that someone else got a response from the Attorney (link is in here somewhere), and he does make some valid points. However, I still believe it is not reason enough for him to hold back a decision for the nation.

In an interesting turn of events, it seems Fallout 3 has been re-classified as MA15+. No word on what, if anything's, been removed. Source

Awesome news, thank god for that. :)