From Gamepolitics.com, and Gamasutra.
Quote:
Via Gamasutra comes news that the Australian Government has refused to classify Valve Software’s multiplatform follow up Left 4 Dead 2.
Electronic Arts applied for the rating and was issued a classification of “RC,” for Refused Classification, meaning the game will have to be heavily modified to have any chance of being released in Australia. The ruling (PDF) stated:These close in attacks cause copious amounts of blood spray and splatter, decapitations and limb dismemberment as well as locational damage where contact is made to the enemy which may reveal skeletal bits and gore.
Australia’s videogame ratings comprise four categories: G (General, very mild content), PG (Parental Guidance Recommended, mild content), M (Mature Audiences, moderate content) and MA15+ (not suitable for people under 15, strong content).
The original Left 4 Dead garnered a MA15+ rating in Australia.
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If you're like me and closely follow any sort of video game violence controversy, you'll know this is no surprise. Australia has a history of banning numerous M rated video games on account of extreme violence. One attorney general in Australia is lobbying for a total ban on violent video games both foreign and domestic to 'protect the children.'