Half Life 2 Possibly Banned in Australia?
Posted by: Newsfactory on: 10/25/2004 02:13 PM [ Print | 13 comment(s) ] · 3017 views
Sumea reports the Pan European Games Information (PEGI) age rating system has given Half Life 2 an R(18+) rating.This means that minors are unable to purchase the game in numerous countries like Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. What's really interesting about this is how the game fairs in Australia.
The Australian Office of Film & Literature Classification (OFLC) has yet to classify Half Life 2, but if the board follows suit from their European counterparts, it'll mean that one of this years highly anticipated titles is banned outright from sales here. Currently, Australia has no R rating for games, so game titles need to meet the highest rating (MA) or they will be refused classification.
Sumea
The Australian Office of Film & Literature Classification (OFLC) has yet to classify Half Life 2, but if the board follows suit from their European counterparts, it'll mean that one of this years highly anticipated titles is banned outright from sales here. Currently, Australia has no R rating for games, so game titles need to meet the highest rating (MA) or they will be refused classification.
Sumea
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digitalwanderer Junior Member Posts: 3 Joined: 2004-02-22 |
#57668 Posted on: 10/25/2004 02:30 PM
What in the heck is the difference between an "R" and an "MA" rating?!? I thought they both meant "you have to be over 18 to get/watch this"? |
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Static_x17 Unregistered |
#57671 Posted on: 10/25/2004 03:36 PM
A "R" Rating in 17+ not 18. A 18+ is a "NC-17", something similar to that in the gaming world. |
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DJZaagmans Unregistered |
#57672 Posted on: 10/25/2004 03:47 PM
Good thing we Dutchmen have common sense. If someone wants to see gore or sex, he or she can always find it floating around on the internet. What's the use of banning a title for everyone, even people who are smart enough to figure out it is just a freakin' game, and I think there are lots of them in Australia. It just raises more hatred against the system, it does more bad than good. I'm off to kill some counter-terrorists! |
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Brewskie Unregistered |
#57673 Posted on: 10/25/2004 04:10 PM
With so many Countries possibly banning this game because of one ratings board it becomes obvious it's not the game, rather it's the ratings board that needs a major overhaul, or should I say enema. It's also obvious that Puritans are in control of the rating systems. It proves that there is a major problem with the system, in that what happens is those on the rating board looks for the least common denominator. What I mean is that they look at what country would be the most highly offended by some software and rate according to that Countries mores`. Therefore software gets "dumbed down" to the least offensive and software won't pass if it's not a "disney" rating. Same thing always happens when you have other people censoring what you see and read. It's always a bad idea. |
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vagabond Unregistered |
#57674 Posted on: 10/25/2004 04:54 PM
A 18+ rating in sweden doesn't mean people under it aren't allowed to buy the game. It is a recomendation to parents. |
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Nevyn Unregistered |
#57675 Posted on: 10/25/2004 04:58 PM
Dude, are you even from Australia? G = General Viewing (I'm sure you knew that one) PG = Parental Guidence _recommended_ (I'm sure you knew that one too) M = 15+ _recommended_ MA = 15+ _restricted_ (unless accompanied by an adult(18+)) R = 18+ _restricted_ This is Australia's rating system last I checked. Yes I live there...here... :/ |
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Ihmemies Unregistered |
#57677 Posted on: 10/25/2004 05:51 PM
Are you really sure about that? Well, hopefully Valve doesn't cut the game like a movie (remove any parts of the game) because of this. |
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antspants Junior Member Posts: 1 Joined: 2003-03-24 |
#57685 Posted on: 10/25/2004 09:09 PM
Should be bamnned just on the grounds that Valve is the biggest wank out. They lie, make up stories and think they are above god. The game promotes violence and frustration. Kids in Australia don't need it as they are angry enough. Americans are a lost cause and deserve the game. Maybe it will teach them to kill each other off. The rest of the countries, good luck. I personally love shooting things up, love it, love it, love it. But when I play the computer is out of view from my son as I want my son as a passive adult from his experiences in life. I don’t want my son to think killing is as easy as it is in games and I should know. Bring on Harry Potter Games they are great. Kids need mystery and imagination not violence. Anyway we need violence like we need a 3rd world war NOT! antspants |
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antspants Junior Member Posts: 1 Joined: 2003-03-24 |
#57686 Posted on: 10/25/2004 09:18 PM
PS Befor you americans attack me with FU*K YOU'S. F*CK YOU! |
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Mmm_Beefy Member Posts: 51 Joined: 2002-12-17 |
#57694 Posted on: 10/26/2004 01:30 AM
we deserve it huh? alot of us are being judged by the actions of our government.. well guess what... not much we can do about what our president does, like i'm sure you can control what your government does? blanket statements such as yours, shows ignorance and lack of depth or compassion. keep in mind this is a news site, and not your personal sounding board to use profanity and abuse. keep your comments in context with the post. if i was a moderator, i'd delete your reply to yourself, as its uncalled for. |
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Nevyn Unregistered |
#57696 Posted on: 10/26/2004 02:21 AM
It's people like you that: A) Give Australia a bad reputation. B) Are the number one argument for censorship and that violence in games affects the mind of the player. I think anyone, not just children, should have as much exposure to adventure and mystery games, esp. those that are classics (ie. King's Quest, Broken Sword etc) |
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Splash_Damage Junior Member Posts: 2 Joined: 2004-01-03 |
#57700 Posted on: 10/26/2004 07:03 AM
Mate, you've lost the plot. I'm an Aussie too but there was no call for comments like that. Americans may have their own issues to contend with, but the're also a lot bigger in nearly everyway than us. I, regardless of clasification will somehow get a copy of Half Life 2 whether it makes it to our shores or not. I can absolutley asure anyone reading this that no OFLC is going to stop me playing one of the biggest titles of all time because of their idiotic bureaucratic bulls*$t. Oh, and BTW antspants, games don't cause or promote violence and frustration. Games are a release for voilence and frustration. FOOL! |
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JemyM Senior Member Posts: 130 Joined: 2003-02-13 |
#57703 Posted on: 10/26/2004 01:14 PM
Any 13y old kid can buy 18+ games in sweden... |
