Australian Classification Rating

[TUALMASOK 1]

I'm scared!

 

Games that are guilty of "...depicting drugs as a power-up..." are refused classification in Australia. This has happened a few times and sometimes the game is altered to accommodate this legal requirement. Other times the games don't come out at all.

 

Given that DayZ has yet to be classified by the Australian Classification Board, due to the whole "Alphaness" of the situation, I have some concerns that the game may not meet the requirements set forth by the uptight poo-nosed fiddlers that govern our list of acceptable media.

 

The Left 4 Dead series features the Adrenalin Shot, and was let in under the MA+ rating. Some alterations happened for the Aussie release of L4D2 because of violence and gore concerns - This was before the introduction of the Australian R18+ classification for games.

 

I believe that DayZ uses real world pharmaceuticals in a real world context - They should not constitute a "Power Up" as they do not grant the player additional abilities, only the chance to replenish or renew previously existing abilities.

 

One of two things will happen:

 

1. The representation of drugs in DayZ will be considered acceptable and there will be no problems.

 

2. The Australian Classification Board will detect some sort of foul scent in their nostrils as they study the game. It will be refused classification, pending changes to in-game assets and interactions.

 

Why am I scared? I want to continue to play DayZ, and I acquired it legally via Steam. If the ACB refuses classification will Australians get to play under the "Alpha" or "Beta" guise in order to sidestep the villainous tyrants that won't let us take virtual drugs?

Edited February 13, 2014 by TUALMASOK

[enforcer1975 1111]

I also wonder about how some countries intend to censor game content or actually it's not game content. Developers already have problems with games where the player takes an active role in torturing in game characters...DayZ has said content and goes a step further...now players are the victims. Way over ethic boundaries. Would they be able to block the game? Bought is bought i guess...otherwise BIS has to take out content in most countries.

Edited February 13, 2014 by Enforcer

[Grimey Rick 3417]

I'm scared!

 

Games that are guilty of "...depicting drugs as a power-up..." are refused classification in Australia. This has happened a few times and sometimes the game is altered to accommodate this legal requirement. Other times the games don't come out at all.

 

Given that DayZ has yet to be classified by the Australian Classification Board, due to the whole "Alphaness" of the situation, I have some concerns that the game may not meet the requirements set forth by the uptight poo-nosed fiddlers that govern our list of acceptable media.

 

The Left 4 Dead series features the Adrenalin Shot, and was let in under the MA+ rating. Some alterations happened for the Aussie release of L4D2 because of violence and gore concerns - This was before the introduction of the Australian R18+ classification for games.

 

I believe that DayZ uses real world pharmaceuticals in a real world context - They should not constitute a "Power Up" as they do not grant the player additional abilities, only the chance to replenish or renew previously existing abilities.

 

One of two things will happen:

 

1. The representation of drugs in DayZ will be considered acceptable and there will be no problems.

 

2. The Australian Classification Board will detect some sort of foul scent in their nostrils as they study the game. It will be refused classification, pending changes to in-game assets and interactions.

 

Why am I scared? I want to continue to play DayZ, and I acquired it legally via Steam. If the ACB refuses classification will Australians get to play under the "Alpha" or "Beta" guise in order to sidestep the villainous tyrants that won't let us take virtual drugs?

 

CRIKEY!

[Wolfguarde 108]

Fuck them.

Seriously, who cares? The only people who take those ratings - and therefore the laws and prohibitions concerning them - seriously are tightass and paranoid parents who still believe violent games lead to serial assault and homocide. If they ban the game here, most of the current Australian players are just going to order it from elsewhere, find a fix (note: not a workaround, as this is not a law but a problematic issue within our system) and keep playing regardless.

Edit: Not attacking you, I do understand your concerns. I just don't think the issue is worth your worry.

Edited February 13, 2014 by Wolfguarde

[jaginun 87]

I don't know how this would be possible, but a simple solution would just to force an update through the AU purchases which retexture and rename morphine to something else capable of fixing a leg, like a cast or something.  Might not be the most elegant solution but it's better than losing 90% of the players from an entire continent.

[soulfirez 901]

I'm scared!

 

Games that are guilty of "...depicting drugs as a power-up..." are refused classification in Australia. This has happened a few times and sometimes the game is altered to accommodate this legal requirement. Other times the games don't come out at all.

 

Given that DayZ has yet to be classified by the Australian Classification Board, due to the whole "Alphaness" of the situation, I have some concerns that the game may not meet the requirements set forth by the uptight poo-nosed fiddlers that govern our list of acceptable media.

 

The Left 4 Dead series features the Adrenalin Shot, and was let in under the MA+ rating. Some alterations happened for the Aussie release of L4D2 because of violence and gore concerns - This was before the introduction of the Australian R18+ classification for games.

 

I believe that DayZ uses real world pharmaceuticals in a real world context - They should not constitute a "Power Up" as they do not grant the player additional abilities, only the chance to replenish or renew previously existing abilities.

 

One of two things will happen:

 

1. The representation of drugs in DayZ will be considered acceptable and there will be no problems.

 

2. The Australian Classification Board will detect some sort of foul scent in their nostrils as they study the game. It will be refused classification, pending changes to in-game assets and interactions.

 

Why am I scared? I want to continue to play DayZ, and I acquired it legally via Steam. If the ACB refuses classification will Australians get to play under the "Alpha" or "Beta" guise in order to sidestep the villainous tyrants that won't let us take virtual drugs?

You have already bought the game yes???? I mean your playing the alpha there is a little loop hole in the law specially in regards to steam....

 

They can stop the sale of the game in australia once they rate it but what they cant do is remove it from you  from your steam account they have NO LEGAL POWERS to force steam to refund you and remove the game...

 

This is from experience i downloaded a blood and gore dlc before it was rated 3 days later they rated it bang gone from steam sale in australia still happily sitting in my steam game ( of note 3 months later classification changed and it was available again..

 

They can be a little retarded at times lol but they often stop themselves from going full retard( barely)

[faramon 66]

Australian Classification Board is like ... the bane of Australian gamers ... xD

 

So basically every single Australian gamer who possibly wants to play DayZ should buy it now before it is eventually rated?

[TUALMASOK 1]

Australian Classification Board is like ... the bane of Australian gamers ... xD

 

So basically every single Australian gamer who possibly wants to play DayZ should buy it now before it is eventually rated?

 

In the event that the complete game is not released without modifications then this might be the best bet.

[attackm0de 38]

Ive paid my money the board can eat a bucket!

[Liege 70]

unfortunately some of the above information is not true. Even if you purchase said game in Australia and then it fails classification, Steam is obligated to modify your game to suit classification (or refund?). Left 4 dead 2 failed australian classification due to the Riot Police Zombies... Steam and Valves solution.. don't spawn them if you live in Australia.. but what this created was if an Aussie and an american played on the same server, then the riot police would not spawn even though they should in the american version. Gamer's solution... kick ALL aussies so riot police would spawn again.

 

Australia has just undergone a restructure on classification guidlelines, while not completed, this should allow an 18+ rating soon'ish. For the last decade australia's highest rating was 15+ with all other games with gore and sexual content being banned from sale.
 

Stupidest law EVER.

 

Edit: just checked the Australian Classification Board Website and found this. Looks like the 18+ may be in force already

 

Restricted categories for films and computer games

The following classification categories are restricted categories. This means there are legal restrictions on viewing and/or playing these films and computer games.

MA 15+ - Mature Accompanied

R 18+ - Restricted

Edited February 13, 2014 by Liege

[DemonGroover 8836]

Sometimes this country of ours is the biggest Nanny state in the world - for a country that thinks it is tough and modern we really are a bunch of pussies when it comes to video games.

Edited February 13, 2014 by DemonGroover

[soulfirez 901]

unfortunately some of the above information is not true. Even if you purchase said game in Australia and then it fails classification, Steam is obligated to modify your game to suit classification (or refund?). Left 4 dead 2 failed australian classification due to the Riot Police Zombies... Steam and Valves solution.. don't spawn them if you live in Australia.. but what this created was if an Aussie and an american played on the same server, then the riot police would not spawn even though they should in the american version. Gamer's solution... kick ALL aussies so riot police would spawn again.

 

Australia has just undergone a restructure on classification guidlelines, while not completed, this should allow an 18+ rating soon'ish. For the last decade australia's highest rating was 15+ with all other games with gore and sexual content being banned from sale.

 

Stupidest law EVER.

 

Edit: just checked the Australian Classification Board Website and found this. Looks like the 18+ may be in force already

 

Restricted categories for films and computer games

The following classification categories are restricted categories. This means there are legal restrictions on viewing and/or playing these films and computer games.

MA 15+ - Mature Accompanied

R 18+ - Restricted

i stand corrected as yes i did hear about the example you gave guess i got lucky with a dlc that added cutting heads of slashing throats and watching people die in a gurgling pool of blood on the ground(many other wonderfull visual additions LOL) whats Asia laws like in regards to censorship ?? I ask because there is another way around it which i didnt want to mention for um legal reasons...

 

Strange a nation founded by convicts (many of them hard as hell irishmen) is so delicate now in regards to gaming ... At 40 i would have thought i was old enough to decide for myself......

[Fern Baron 128]

The R18+ rating in Australia took effect last year.

[Liege 70]

 whats Asia laws like in regards to censorship ?? I ask because there is another way around it which i didnt want to mention for um legal reasons...

 

umm..... i wouldn't know what you are talking about.....  :ph34r: 

[Hetstaine 10852]

This is why i miss hard copies.

[Judopunch 523]

Drugs in this game are not a powerup. They are a medical supply used to treat conditions found in the real world. 

 

I think your being overly paranoid.

 

Now you may have something if we were talking about Mario, those mushrooms make everything so tiny.

 

Edit: The real question you need to be worried about is how much bandwith this game eats. Dont you guys pay per Mb down there?

Edited February 13, 2014 by Judopunch

[Banana_Duck 121]

I feel bad for you Aussies, I really do :(

[oregonized 673]

I feel bad for you Aussies.  You guys get bent over for so many things there.

[pillerking@yahoo.com 72]

Games that are guilty of "...depicting drugs as a power-up..." are refused classification in Australia.

 

are you serious ??? wtf, congrats on the most retarded law ever.

Medicine gives you a "Power-Up" in real life (you feel shitty, you take medicine, your "power" comes back) but it is forbidden in videos games ? how does that make any sense ?

 

on a sidenote, there is an easy loophole: it isn´t the medicine in dayZ that gives you a "power-up". the medicine just starts the healing process and the healing gives you the power-up.

 

done. i just made the game legal in australia.

Edited February 13, 2014 by Broter

[Lady Kyrah 1110]

Last time i checked games don't have to be classified. A lot of steam games are not available in retail stores so i sincerely doubt whether it's classified in Australia or not will matter..

[Tizzle 90]

I don't think the drugs can necessarily be seen as a "power-up", so that should be fine.

What I'm concerned about, however, is the eventual suicide animations

[victusmortuus 1074]

What can they really do though since you've already bought it. If you Aussies are smart you'll buy the alpha now and save the shit storm later on.

[soulfirez 901]

Drugs in this game are not a powerup. They are a medical supply used to treat conditions found in the real world. 

 

I think your being overly paranoid.

 

Now you may have something if we were talking about Mario, those mushrooms make everything so tiny.

 

Edit: The real question you need to be worried about is how much bandwith this game eats. Dont you guys pay per Mb down there?

Yeah most packages are done by bandwidth but last couple years you have been able to get unlimited packages... But in general our internet has been at the state of a third world country almost ( but goverment has and is spending huge sums of money to bring us in line with most of the world ( sort of lol)

[KingOfTime 267]

Yeah most packages are done by bandwidth but last couple years you have been able to get unlimited packages... But in general our internet has been at the state of a third world country almost ( but goverment has and is spending huge sums of money to bring us in line with most of the world ( sort of lol)

Wasnt the project to run fibre everywhere cancelled after Murdoch realised it could hurt his cable empire?

[Rudette 435]

Yeah... I would like things like children zombies and what have you, but not at the expense of players overseas <3