Fallout 3 banned in Oz

This makes me a sad Panda. http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23998431-5014117,00.html

Guess I'll have to track down an import if the laws don't change in the next couple of months.

That was an unusually informed and non-laughable article about a game, for a non-gaming publication.

The authorities in Australia probably thought it was a documentary

It's a bit of a ridiculous situation really -- as the article states, it's South Australian Attorney-General, Michael Atkinson, that's singlehandedly responsible for holding our country back. Games are rated by the OFLC (Office of Film and Literature Classification), and the OFLC operates under the Attorneys-General for each of the states, who must be unanimous in any decision to change the classification guidelines. He seems very set in his "we need to look out for the children!" ways, and I don't think anything short of a massive voter backlash in his home state is going to change his mind.

In a way, though, it's fantastic that a high-profile game like Fallout 3 has fallen under the banhammer. No-one really cares that much about DarkSektor or Manhunt 2, and the GTA series is still attracts a lot of controversy and is hardly high-brow stuff. Fallout 3, though, is a lot more sophisticated, with violence and drug use that's very much in context, making it a game that's very clearly for an adult audience. In fact, unlike GTA, I can't see kids really being interested in playing it, which renders moot any argument about protecting the kids. Combine that with hordes and hordes of outraged fans, all of whom are going to be of voting age, and we might be seeing the beginning of the end for Australia's lack of an R rating.

We were talking about this recently in the catch-all, needless to say I was a little grumpy... as pneuman said, I'm hoping this high profile casualty to our stupid ratings system will bring the subject a little more attention. Just read in one of the related articles we're the only developed nation without an adult games rating... I didn't know that. How embarrassing.

Prozac wrote:

This makes me a sad Panda. http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23998431-5014117,00.html

Guess I'll have to track down an import if the laws don't change in the next couple of months.

Importing it could land you in legal trouble. (Emphasis mine)

OFLC wrote:

"The Classification Board may advise that importation or exportation of items should not be allowed if they:

in relation to a computer game – are unsuitable for a person under 18 to see or play; or

promote, incite or instruct in matters of crime or violence; or

promote or incite the misuse of a drug specified in Schedule 4.

Morrolan wrote:

That was an unusually informed and non-laughable article about a game, for a non-gaming publication.

Agreed.

Too many times, non-gaming publications try to take a stand on games, yet this author just laid it out, with enough depth to get you up to speed if you haven't been paying attention to the gaming industry.

Well done Mr. Ramadge.

You could always petition the Wizard in the Emerald City to change his mind. >_>

Stengah wrote:
Prozac wrote:

This makes me a sad Panda. http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23998431-5014117,00.html

Guess I'll have to track down an import if the laws don't change in the next couple of months.

Importing it could land you in legal trouble. (Emphasis mine)

Yep, it's definitely against the law :/ Lots of people have done it though, most notably with the GTA series, importing uncut versions from either the UK or New Zealand instead of buying the edited local versions, and I haven't heard any horror stories yet, mainly because the chances of Customs opening a package with something as innocuous as a DVD case in it are pretty slim. I don't think I'll risk it, unless it turns out to be the most awesome game ever, in which case I might have to "make a stand".

Hell, if you're really worried I'm sure a Goodjer'd be willing to buy the PC version and turn its packaging inside-out or whatever so they don't notice naught but a normal package.

It's a pretty silly situation, and a little embarrasing to boot. What really annoys me is we have a 'full' rating system in place for literature and films - including 18+ and X ratings, so all they need to do is bring the Game industry standards into line with other media.

In this case I'm pretty sure Bethesda will just tweak the offending part/s a little (ala GTA 4)to get it past big brother and we'll be all set, but.. yeh.

The whole mess needs a unaminous vote of all state attorney generals to get changed, and what do you know, one of our states AG is a big fan of the Jack Thompson school of thinking in regards to video games, and can't be budged on the subject. Unlike Jack Thompson however, this crusader has some actual power, as opposed to Jacks public menace/Village idiot persona. From all accounts he's the only road block.

So heres the villain of the piece: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael...

IMAGE(http://www.crossroadconnexions.org.au/uploads/images/BookLaunch/atkinson.jpg)

Heres hoping for a finger -> ass for you Michael, you dictatorial bastard!

LobsterMobster wrote:

You could always petition the Wizard in the Emerald City to change his mind. >_>

Super LoLs.

You could always just buy it on Steam. Or is Steam outlawed in your stupid underdeveloped country, too? Psh. I don't know why we keep Australia around.

MechaSlinky wrote:

You could always just buy it on Steam. Or is Steam outlawed in your stupid underdeveloped country, too? Psh. I don't know why we keep Australia around.

I'm sure it won't be available on Steam here -- Valve may not make use of it themselves, but Steam definitely does have region locking capabilities. When Activition discovered at the launch of COD4 that a bunch of Aussies were buying it on Steam for US$50 (~AU$55), instead of paying AU$90 at retail, they ratcheted the price of COD4 on Steam up to US$90, just for us. I'm sure Bethesda will be obliged to use the same features to restrict sale of Fallout 3 to Australia.

MechaSlinky wrote:

You could always just buy it on Steam. Or is Steam outlawed in your stupid underdeveloped country, too? Psh. I don't know why we keep Australia around.

We need a place to ship our criminals.

If Australia wasn't a predominantly english speaking country (for now) with ties to England, taken on its merits alone Australia would barely qualify in that list of developed nations. Subpar internet, small population/economy, criminal history and still ongoing racism with little world contributions or influence. It's more of an ancillary country like say Finland but that would probably be insulting the Fins

fathamburger wrote:

If Australia wasn't a predominantly english speaking country (for now) with ties to England, taken on its merits alone Australia would barely qualify in that list of developed nations. Subpar internet, small population/economy, criminal history and still ongoing racism with little world contributions or influence. It's more of an ancillary country like say Finland but that would probably be insulting the Fins ;)

Finland features some really good tech companies. You have fosters beer.

boogle wrote:
fathamburger wrote:

If Australia wasn't a predominantly english speaking country (for now) with ties to England, taken on its merits alone Australia would barely qualify in that list of developed nations. Subpar internet, small population/economy, criminal history and still ongoing racism with little world contributions or influence. It's more of an ancillary country like say Finland but that would probably be insulting the Fins ;)

Finland features some really good tech companies. You have fosters beer.

not even Fosters Beer, Budweiser owns that now lol

fathamburger wrote:

not even Fosters Beer, Budweiser owns that now lol

No, they don't. Fosters group based in Melbourne does. The rights to produce the American 'version' are owned by SAB Miller. Not that anyone down here would care much, no one drinks it. Awful beer.

Shame you ddint enjoy your time down here more.. given your past posts and that little rant above (some of which I would dispute, but I dont wanna derail this thread too much) you seem to have come out with a pretty negative view on life down under. Out of interest, where were you based down here?

Quintin_Stone wrote:
MechaSlinky wrote:

You could always just buy it on Steam. Or is Steam outlawed in your stupid underdeveloped country, too? Psh. I don't know why we keep Australia around.

We need a place to ship our criminals. ;)

That, and where else are we supposed to get our boxing kangaroos? And all our goofy Ozzy idioms? Bonza, mate! Throw another shrimp on the barbie, sheila!

Atkinson defends his decision. His position:

Michael Atkinson wrote:

I cannot fathom what State-enforced safeguards could exist to prevent R18+ games being bought by households with children and how children can be stopped from using these games, once the games are in the home.

In other words, adults and kids like R18+ games and in a household that has both adults and kids it is inevitable that kids are going to play those games. What's going to happen when he figures out that kids also like movies, books and beer?

Al wrote:
Michael Atkinson wrote:

I cannot fathom what State-enforced safeguards could exist to prevent R18+ games being bought by households with children and how children can be stopped from using these games, once the games are in the home.

What the hell? They don't even have parents in Australia?

(Hey, maybe the picking on the Aussies will placate those whiny Canadians.)

Al wrote:

Atkinson defends his decision. His position:

Michael Atkinson wrote:

I cannot fathom what State-enforced safeguards could exist to prevent R18+ games being bought by households with children and how children can be stopped from using these games, once the games are in the home.

In other words, adults and kids like R18+ games and in a household that has both adults and kids it is inevitable that kids are going to play those games. What's going to happen when he figures out that kids also like movies, books and beer?

I had no idea Australia had turned into a full-fledged nanny state. Good luck down there, my Aussie friends. Oi! Oi!

Quintin_Stone wrote:
Al wrote:

Atkinson defends his decision. His position:

Michael Atkinson wrote:

I cannot fathom what State-enforced safeguards could exist to prevent R18+ games being bought by households with children and how children can be stopped from using these games, once the games are in the home.

In other words, adults and kids like R18+ games and in a household that has both adults and kids it is inevitable that kids are going to play those games. What's going to happen when he figures out that kids also like movies, books and beer?

I had no idea Australia had turned into a full-fledged nanny state. Good luck down there, my Aussie friends. Oi! Oi!

As Goo mentioned, the problem isn't new legislation, it's a stubborn refusal to update the ancient legislation that didn't consider the possibility of an R18 game. That's marginally better... I guess.

Given the only problem is that it's the use of a real drug (morphine) it implies that Bethesda could just rename the item "Pain-B-Gone" and it'd be fine. It's odd that mass consumption of painkillers in Max Payne was fine, but the injection of morphine isn't.

fathamburger wrote:

If Australia wasn't a predominantly english speaking country (for now) with ties to England, taken on its merits alone Australia would barely qualify in that list of developed nations. Subpar internet, small population/economy, criminal history and still ongoing racism with little world contributions or influence. It's more of an ancillary country like say Finland but that would probably be insulting the Fins ;)

No need to attack the country.

I disagree with this ban as it goes against free speech, but I am not knowledgable of the laws/government framework down in Australia. If it has a considerable amount of warnings (Like it will) on the label how can the buyer not know what they are getting themselves into? Yes it has drug use and graphic killings, so do a lot of R rated movies.

fathamburger wrote:

If Australia wasn't a predominantly english speaking country (for now) with ties to England, taken on its merits alone Australia would barely qualify in that list of developed nations. Subpar internet, small population/economy, criminal history and still ongoing racism with little world contributions or influence. It's more of an ancillary country like say Finland but that would probably be insulting the Fins ;)

Wow. Way to condemn an entire country.

Broad brush much?

It's just a ridiculous situation given as I said earlier that we DO have pretty normal ratings systems in place for other media. We're not usually what you'd call a particularly repressed population.. The F bomb appears on FTA tv any time after 8.30 pm. Nude beaches. Gay mardi gras. etc etc. We cop a bit of Nanny state TLC from the government but usally it's optional lol.

Actually... Dammit I think I might just go out and buy some legal pornography today just to make the point!! The missus will understand if its for a good cause.. errr.. maybe.

In the end this is a quirk where when the orginal games rating system was drawn up, there really wasnt a need for an R rating, and now the time is here to get the thing fixed, we've got a 'family values' nutbag that wont budge standing as the last hurdle. Well actually the time was probably 5 or ten years ago but anyway.

I know it's not sexy, but I think the big 3 should work to educate people about their systems' parental lock features. If kids can't get access to M-rated games, maybe people will have to stop using that as an excuse to censor or at least attempt to censor the video game industry.

MechaSlinky wrote:

I know it's not sexy, but I think the big 3 should work to educate people about their systems' parental lock features. If kids can't get access to M-rated games, maybe people will have to stop using that as an excuse to censor or at least attempt to censor the video game industry.

*gasp* Encourage personal responsibility? Come now, be reasonable.

fathamburger wrote:

If Australia wasn't a predominantly english speaking country (for now) with ties to England, taken on its merits alone Australia would barely qualify in that list of developed nations. Subpar internet, small population/economy, criminal history and still ongoing racism with little world contributions or influence. It's more of an ancillary country like say Finland but that would probably be insulting the Fins ;)

If you haven't got anything useful to add to the thread, piss off...

I'm still pissed off with the whole situation...

Looks like there will be an edited version of Fallout 3 in Australia.

http://games.internode.on.net/conten...