It's Official: Fallout 3 Banned In Australia

Kotaku reports:

Yes, the rumour was true. The Office of Film and Literature Classification has handed an RC to Bethesda's Fallout 3, making it illegal to sell the game in Australia. It's not known at this stage if the ban was for drug use, as the original rumour states, or gore as I was predicting.

I was ready to dismiss the rumour when I first heard it, but my suspicions were raised when Red Ant failed to confirm or deny it. It's not unusual for a publisher to do this, but it seemed particularly odd as Red Ant had no problem in the past commenting about Fallout 3 and the OFLC.

We'll be on Red Ant and Bethesda's backs to see what it plans to do. Most likely the game will be edited to remove the offending content and resubmitted, as AFA Interactive did with Dark Sector.

Even if it is edited, I don't think it'll stop some from importing the title, as was the case with Grand Theft Auto IV after it was censored for Australia...

[Superfragilistic]

I know the OFLC is doing their job. But really the politicians should pull the fence posts out of their fence-sitting backsides and let adults have the freedoms that they claim we're protecting when we go to war and commit REAL violence!

[beavis4play]

and this game hasn't even come out yet. these people are getting way too aggressive. i guess freedom of choice applies to everything but games.

[ry-guy]

Well said, Super. You echo my thoughts on the matter.

It almost seems like they want to flex their muscles to proove they have a backbone by hitting hard these popular games like GTA4 and Fallout 3. Oh well.

Bubble anyways.

[JsonHenry]

I did not know that Australia was such a fascist country. Or at least letting something so stupid (animated violence and drug use?!) could be upheld in a court of free people.

[Fishy Fingers]

Nice to see Australian censorship believe their own people aren't capable of judging whats suitable or not for themselves. Sad day for our Oz gaming, brothers in arms.

Import...

[calis]

Thank god for region-free PS3.

[KillaManiac]

I agree with above, thank god for Region free!

[jkhan]

I am not surprised. The amount of gore shown in the first couple of pictures was more than enough to get this game banned. Unfortunately its only Aussie market is suffering. The gamers who want to play will obviously import it.

[Superfragilistic]

Yeah but unfortunately they've been building up customs so that if you're caught you can be fined $1,500+ for importing a banned product.

Unless the politicians hurry up and get off their high horses, I fear Gears 2 and Prototype may share very similar fates. Maybe even Fable 2 with it's dabblings with sexuality and prostitutes? :(

[yanikins111]

WTF!!!

To the Gaming industry of Australia.

There are these guys called LOBYISTS. You guys might wanna think about employing some of them before rampant illegal importing starts eating into your profit margins. And while the not-as-conservative-as-the-lib erals labour party is in power. This s*** it f***ed

[kevnb]

a police officer arresting someone over buying a video game, most police officers have more common sense than these politicians looking for the senior vote.

[Superfragilistic]

After the GTAIV fiasco Australian Customs made the following comment to PC World:

"Imported copies of GTA IV could potentially fall within the definition of a prohibited import, if they contain material above the MA 15+ rating [given to the Australian version of the game]"...

"The maximum penalty for this type of offence is a fine of up to $110,000. Customs may detain or seize any items that are suspected of contravening the regulations."

Full link here: http://www.pcworld.idg.com....

[Nevers]

rarely fit in the same sentence, let alone in the same squad car...

Edit @ SuperFrag... uh 110,000 pesos, right? JK! OMG that's ridiculous.

[evilbubble]

Fallout 3 is considerably less popular to GTA4. If GTA4 imports can get through, I have no doubt Fallout 3 imports can get through easily. There is no way customer will check 1million+ parcels coming through the custom just for Fallout 3.

They will be looking for illegal substances. DVD is not a concern for them.

[ThatCanadianGuy]

I was just talking to an australian freind of mine last week.
He's practically dreaming about Fallout 3.

Poor guy...his whole fantasy dream world is gonna come crashing down when i tell him.

Im guessing you could import it tho no?

[evilbubble]

First, it is bloody expensive, things can retail two times the price in US.
Second, all those censorship BS...

[Gazman]

Yep importing is the way I done it with dark sector and gta4 now it looks like fallout 3

[n4gzz]

Glad to know that Some countries still have standard. I am glad that it is banned. Small stuff like this makes different. No wonder crime rate are low in aussieland.

[Rocko]

What the f*ck are you even doing here? No sane gamer would support censorship like this. Just kill yourself.

[FPS nut]

Censorship sucks, maybe they should ban reality to, lots of drugs and violence there.

[Rocko]

Ban great games and your the fattest f*ckers on the planet. Congrats.

[RealityCheck]

Are games there treated unfairly or do the same apply to books and movies? If the same applies, you must have tons of banned books and movies. I feel bad for adult gamers over there.

[yanikins111]

As far as I know books are not rated here.

Movies have R18+ ratings and also X ratings, although im not sure if they are legal/official as I download all my porn.

[Superfragilistic]

Literature receives the most liberal regulations, with nothing refused classification unless it is a threat to national security or children, animals, etc (I think you get my drift...)

All other visual media (movies, magazines, games, TV) is rated under a universal system that moves from from G, PG & M15 which are all recommendations but have no legal restrictions (ie a 2yr old can legally crawl into an M15 movie). We then have MA15+ which requires anyone under the age of 15 to be accompanied by a parent or guardian upon purchase. Finally we have the R18+, which is a legally enforcable requirement that all consumers be 18 or older to purchase such content. In two of our eight state there's also an X rating that allows the hardcore stuff, but only in those states.

Unfortunately games are still considered children's play in comparison to other media and so the highest rating is MA15+, unlike every other medium which has an R18+ classifcation for adults to consume the content they wish. This is pretty ridiculous given numerous national studies have shown the average gamer is 28yrs old and that over 88% of the population support an R18+ for games, just like every other form of media.

But the root of the problem is an archaic law in the Aussie constitution that empowers a small group of religious conservatives, which have a limited constituency of less than 1million people (less than 5% of Australia's population), with a veto power to overrule the majority will of the other 95% of Australias, when regarding media classification.

It's a royally (thankyou Britain!) screwed system and means I'll yet again run the risk of a big fine to import a copy to play that my democracy should've allowed me to play in the first place.

I hope that better explains to you lucky Yanks, Poms, Canadians and Europeans how lucky you guys really are and the backward plight of your Down Under comrades. :)

[yanikins111]

Dude....

Didnt know that.

Reason 4635 that democracy is a FALE

Reason 6593 that religion is a FALE

"Killing computer generated criminals is bad, Molesting children isnt"
Yeah..... f***wits.....

[yanikins111]

Ok guys, I just Emailed my local mp on the issue. I advise all australians to do the same. This sh** is stupid. The laws are simply antiquated. Nothing is going to get done unless we atleast try and raise the issue.

Seriously, took 5 minutes.

Please, take 5 minutes of your time and just write a polite email asking them what their stance is, and if they can raise it with their colleages.

This is how a democracy is supposed to work. Lets give it a try before we go and burn down their offices....

[Fishy Fingers]

Bubble for taking direct action rather than the passive moaning route that so many follow.

Id urge all your fellow country man with an interest in gaming to follow your example.

Props to you, Power to the People and F*** the Man!

[yanikins111]

Appreciated... I recently got banned to the open zone and subsequently got bubble raped....

[calis]

Democracy has never worked. Never will.

No MP asked me about putting up a No Standing sign where I park my car so I can catch a train to work. What happened to these people being representatives of Australia?

[Common Sense]

I guess you prefer theocracies, fascist governments,communism, dictatorships and monarchies.

The truth is democracy is the best form of government we have. It is not perfect but it's still better than the other ones especially theocracies.

Theocracy is the stupidest form of government ever. It's leads to the torment and murder of citizens because of religion.

Dictatorship sucks as well. One guy telling every one what to do sucks.

Monarchy sucks. You pay taxes while the monarch spends it playing polo and drinking tea.

[Nevers]

for going through the process... I applaud you. Everyone should call/write their local officials regarding these issues otherwise change will never happen no matter how much one comments about it on N4G :)

[evilbubble]

I prefer they fix the transport network first. Being cramped like sardines in the morning rush and afternoon rush is not fun.

[MK_Red]

Why don't they just add a 18+ rating or something instead of banning anything above 15?

[TehRadge]

I guess that in Australia they still see games as just being for kids and are unwilling to add an 18+ rating

[FPS nut]

Thats wierd, I could understand 25yrs ago when gaming was young, but most of those gamers that gamed 25yrs ago still game. I understand that todays youth get mature games to easy, but this excludes the entire adult community, which I would assume would be the majority that buy this game. I'm not Australian so there is no one I could write to but like the guy posted above said "start sending those e-mails/letters"

[Superfragilistic]

I've explained the plight above, so have a read!

The majority of Australians want the change, but a minority controls a veto power that prevents it from happening anytime soon.

Thanks for the kind words. :)

[MK_Red]

True...

Thanks for the awesome Superfragilistic. I'd give you bubbles but I can't since I did so yesterday for another great post of yours. The thing is really messed up. 2 year old sneaking and getting MA 15... LOL

[vhero]

I say hear hear its about time somebody stood up and realized what game developers are trying to get away with fantasy violence should be allowed however but games like GTA 4 deserve to be banned as they are too realistic and as much as we try to stop it kids do get hold of these games and get the wrong view of the world. Our kids are impressionable when young and what they see they think is right. It's a shame irresponsible parents are to blame for this but this is the best way game devs should be able to make fun games without it being too realistic look at halo 3 thats fantasy sells bucket loads and is fine why do game devs keep trying to push games about drugs and real life violence? it's stupid. I disagree somewhat with fallout 3 being banned but its about time somebody said they not taking it no more so I bow to that fact.

[yanikins111]

Stay still while i stab you in the face with a hand grenade.

1) Halo 3 is toss. I LIKE full dismemberment, and im 23. Now for some reason a 23 year old in the US is somehow more qualified to judge for themselves what kinds of games they like. No.

2) Its funny that the conservatives that would ban games such as gta4 and Fallout 3 are normally the same conservatives that back wars on foreign soil.

They somehow think that Its not ok to shoot a fake hooker in the head to recoup my losses, but its perfectly acceptable for me to join the army and go and kill poor iraqis? No offence to our service personel, I respect you guys for being there. I dont however support our LIBERAL government for sending you.

[FPS nut]

So you're for censorship?

[PwnShop]

Time to move to knew zealand

[Bolts]

Get it for the PC, its the best version anyways because of mods. Then buy the digital download. Play.

[LorD]

Getting closer to a government of total, absolute control.

I'm personally too dumb to figure out what to play or what not to play, so I'm glad the genetically superior people at the government can tell me what to do.

[radzy]

if you have a ps3 - a) playasia.com or

b) ebay.com

XBOX 360 VERSION WONT BE REGION FREE(SAME AS OBLIVION)

if you have a xbox360 -a) mod the console and download using torrents

b) ebay.com (get uk version pal)

PROBLEM SOLVED

[Mc Fadge]

360 is illegal, do not encourage others to do so.

[jay2]

Exatly as stated above, don't worry about it.^^^^^^

[jluth3]

dang it man that sucks majorly i was looking ford to this game in all its bloody glory. and now i cant have it. X(

[Ali_The_Brit]

the australian goverment is messed up, i got a australian friend who hates the whole banning thing, he told me they seriously consider eminems music to be the devils......wow..

and there either dumb or blind if they dont think every single fallout fan will just import

[juuken]

I don't live in Europe but that's absolutely ridiculous. That government is starting to sound like a dictatorship.

[juuken]

...yeah, disagrees. Not even surprised. Any government of which tries to ban freedom of speech is like a dictatorship. Videogames are part of freedom of speech.

Retards.

[evilbubble]

Australia is in pacific region, mate. Downunder.

[N2NOther]

If I lived in Australia, I'd move.

[evilbubble]

That is why we import games, no?

[N2NOther]

But it's illegal to do so...The fact that I could go to jail for playing a game that some sh!tty government decided was inappropriate for ME is reason enough. Revolt or something. The way they are disgusts me.

[Lelouch V Brit]

No Surprise Australia & Germany like to ban Good Matures Games.

[Superfragilistic]

Haha maybe that's my luck... I'm a citizen of both! :)

[Common Sense]

But kids should not be exposed to that kind of violence. It's very bad for their mental development; just ask any psychologist but it's not the government's job to censor the media for the sake of kids. It's the parent's job. When I was a kid, my parents told some movies and games were bad and I listened. I turned out okay.

Off-topic
I totally came up with a great idea yesterday.
A vaccine that makes sure people don't get high on drugs.
If people no longer enjoy doing drugs, they'll stop using them and all the drug dealers will be out of business. The world will be a slightly better place to live.

[f789790]

Is the vaccine addictive? Probably.

[Homicide]

Poor xbots in Australia. There is no way for you to play this game.

[f789790]

In the future people will ask why they were allowed to do that.

[vhero]

@yanikins111 My point is simply you dont need to make a game about selling drugs on the streets or killing prostitutes to make money on a game so why do it? As for your arguement i'm 26 from UK and a parent and as a parent this stuff means something to me. I'm not saying I agree with the banning I'm saying I think it's about time somebody stood up for the rights of children as they obviously can't do it themselves. As for me liking Halo 3 I don't in fact I think the story's drab and not better than any other FPS although the online is fun somewhat (no way near gears of war). Also this doesn't mean i'm a 360 fanboy I have all 3 consoles :p but I digress. I just wish they would have banned GTA IV in UK Rockstar need to make real games not cash in on EVERYTHING THAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD!