Tue, Aug 11, 2009 | 15:47 BST
Risen refused classification in Australia
Piranha Bytes’ newest RPG, Risen, has been refused classification in Australia and the game’s distributor has not decided whether it will appeal the decision or edit the game to get an MA15+ rating.
According to a spokesperson from Madman Interactive, the Classification Board felt the game contained “sexual activity and drug use related to incentives or rewards”.
Over on the North American side, the ESRB’s description of the game says it contains foul language, drug usage, and implied sexual activity at a brothel.
Here’s the description:
During the course of the game, players can interact with prostitutes (referred to as “whores” in the game) at a local brothel. Players can trigger a lengthy dialogue to engage in their services; sexual activity is strongly implied, but never depicted on screen. Many of the characters in the game smoke a fictional drug called “brugleweed.” The “wood reefer” plant is described as having a mild relaxing effect on users, and can be bought, sold, and used by players. Some profanity (e.g., “f*ck” and “sh*t”) can be heard in the dialogue.
Risen’s expected to land on PC and Xbox 360 come October 2.
More over on Kotaku Australia.
7 comments
#1
Hunam
11/08/09, 3:56 pm
Videogames are clearly the most feared media of our time.
It’s the new rap music.
#2
G1GAHURTZ
11/08/09, 4:00 pm
Video games?
Don’t you mean MURDER SIMULATORS?
#3
Whizzo
11/08/09, 4:01 pm
I’m so glad things like prostitutes, swearing and drugs don’t exist in Australia because these game things could pervert children.
Er, hold on.
PEGI has given the game a 16 if the box art on GAME’s website is accurate, the PEGI website doesn’t seem to know anything about it.
#4
satsugai
11/08/09, 4:20 pm
The children, oh won’t somebody please think of the children.
#5
SticKboy
11/08/09, 4:39 pm
[thinks of children]
[touches self/]
#6
freedoms_stain
11/08/09, 5:24 pm
The gamers of Aus and Germany should get together and start their own country. The could call it Blisstopia (known for its high levels of bliss). It’d probably have the lowest murder and violent crime rates in the world.
#7
Gamoc
11/08/09, 9:00 pm
Those are the most pedestrian reasons for censoring I’ve ever seen. Oh god, it allows the use of pseudo-drugs and implies sex!
It’s a damn good job you can’t watch the Nicholas Cage film Lord of War over there. Oh wait, I would guess you probably can, actually. These pissing sensors are moronic.