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Dec 21, 2011 - 8:41 am

Syndicate: Refused Classification In Australia

Australia does not have an adults-only game rating. As a result, games that are considered to be intended only for mature gamers are immediately banned. The upcoming shooter game Syndicate remake has just been banned because it has been “refused classification.” The game cannot be sold in Australia just because the country does not have the appropriate rating.

There are no specific reasons given for the refusal. The game, however, has a lot of close-up violence with stabbings that include piercing through skull cavities. They are graphic enough to warrant an adults rating but only if Australia’s Classification Board has the rating. There is no adults only video game rating in Australia. It is still in the works, I think. So, Syndicate is left without a classification or rating. Now, games without classifications in the country cannot be sold legally. So, the game may have not been directly banned but it is still not legal to sell or own there.

Can you imagine some of your mature titles being sold in Australia? What if you bring your mature titles there? Would you have to hide them? Anyway, Australia’s Classification Board is trying to find ways to accommodate mature titles. Of course, the members of the board may still have some reservations. Why else would they have not come up with a rating for mature titles in the first place? They must have decided at one point not to accept certain games within the country.

Screenshot from Syndicate (Credit: EA)

Screenshot from Syndicate (Credit: EA)

Now, the board must make changes to accommodate the preferences of its gamers’ community.

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Comments

  • Cletus

    While the Australian decision to refuse classification is another kick i the teeth for gamers downunder, the partioning of blame in the above text is inaccurate. The absence of an adult classification (call it “R”) in Australia is not the fault of the classification board, it is the fault of the problematical relationship between state and federal authorities in Australia.
    To amend the classifications it is necessary that all states and territories agree. This the provides a single operating structure for the federal classification board. The benefit of this idea is that it avoids the need for each state or territory to have its own regulating body (and the variety of rules that is likely to cause to arise). At last check it was South Australia that was holding out on the introduction of an R classification and thereby provide comfort to the mature Australian gamer.
    Hopefully 1 of 2 things will occur: The game can be re-edited with minimal changes and allowed for supply in Australia (I for one am very eager to play) or 2 the various governments collectively pull their finges out, introduce an R classification and the game is released as the developers intended.