Australia’s R18+ debate is a lot like NASCAR: it has just been going round and round in circles without a whole lot happening. Every now and again there is a collision when a controversial game looses traction as it rounds the corner…Sometimes, like Left 4 Dead 2, it makes the finishing line a butchered wreck.

~ Pg 13, Game Informer #1

This sparked me to contemplate again the debacle of Left For Dead 2. Although I was able to acquire it uncensored, I still suffer the affects of the Refused Classification order as there seems to be less people on Australian servers and consequently less interest for games amongst my friends and gamer acquaintances. More often than not I see people playing the original L4D in it’s uncensored glory.

The next cause for my flailing arms was Aliens Versus Predator 3¹ which initially received the dreaded RC as well. But, rather than kneecapping their game like Valve, SEGA stood up with the following official statement:

We will not be releasing a sanitised or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices.

~ Game Industry Biz

After review, AVP3 had the “ban” lifted and I can’t help but wonder whether this marginally insulting official comment helped bring this about since the ratings thing seems to be politically infused. Of course it is most likely wishful thinking that the world works in a logical way but it was nice to see someone bite the hand of the lumbering giant and get favourable results back. Yet, a brave new world haunts the horizon.

1. Nothing to do with the incredibly awful films spawned from this awesome computer game franchise.