Wed, Dec 21, 2011 | 00:15 GMT

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EA won’t subject Syndicate to “arcane censorship” for AU release

EA has confirmed it won’t censor Starbreeze’s Syndicate reboot to meet MA15+ content guidelines, preferring to skip an Australian release all together.

“It’s regrettable that government policy in Australia is denying adults the right to play Syndicate,” the publisher said in a statement.

“The game will be not be available in Australia despite its enthusiastic response from fans.”

EA Australia said it was “encouraged” by recent progress towards the introduction of an adult-friendly R18+ ratings category for games.

“However, delays continue to force an arcane censorship on games – cuts that would never be imposed on books or movies,” it declared.

“We urge policy makers to take swift action to implement an updated policy that reflects today’s market and gives its millions of adult consumers the right to make their own content choices.”

Syndicate was Refused Classification in Australia for its detailed depiction of decapitation and dismemberment, as well as post-mortem damage.

Games which do not meet Australia’s content guidelines for its highest games rating category, MA 15+, cannot be offered for sale. The country is likely two years from introducing an adult ratings category in line with other media.

Syndicate arrives on non-Australian PCs, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles in February.

Thanks, GamePron.

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