Reservoir Dogs in Australia goes out like Mr Brown.
It's yet another embarrassing day to be an Aussie gamer. Reservoir Dogs, the upcoming game based on the hit Quentin Tarantino film, has been banned in Australia.
The Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification (OLFC) last week decided to refuse classification for Reservoir Dogs, which was being distributed locally by Atari. Without classification, the game is effectively banned for sale in this country.
Reservoir Dogs is set for release everywhere else in the world for the PS2, PC and Xbox later next month. The highest rating available for a videogame in Australia is MA15+ -- there is no R rating (as there is for movies), which means that anything the OLFC deems as unsuitable for anyone over 15 cannot be given a classification.
The game is the latest casualty of Australia's frankly out-of-step games classification laws. Earlier this year, graffiti game Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure was denied classification after the OLFC ruled that the game "include(s) or contain(s) detailed instruction or promotion of matters of crime". Other recent games to be refused classification include Narc and Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude.
The local games industry and the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia (IEAA) has been working behind the scenes to pressure the Federal Government into changing the classification laws. IEAA CEO Chris Hanlon has said in the past that it was ''important that the classification laws are clear, consistent and applied equally to films, games and publications''.
Do you think Australia needs to overhaul its games classification system? Or do you think the Government and the OLFC are doing a good job? Tell us your thoughts and leave a comment below.
cank_les
28/06/2006 10:10 AM
Debacle
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rambo_ando
30/06/2006 02:10 AM
Another example of politicians ignoring and failing to understand adult gamers for the sake of appeasing conservative groups.
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Early_Grayce
30/06/2006 12:53 PM
The Only reason stoopid things like this happen is because a religious minority feel they are being left out of something good so they get into politics and make a good idea like classifications a farce. These Stoopid people should realise that most gaming is done by adults and classifications are set up so they advise you of whom the game is suitable for so you can safely buy content that you know little about for other people. All content should be rated as long as it is not directly harming other people. Unfortunately A damn good system of classification is let down by a small but significant oversight. All religious people and politicians should keep their morals out of my Gaming, My Lifestyle, My Music, And My Pain Management.
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Josh
08/08/2006 06:13 PM
I loved the movie and i think that Tarintino is a champ. This finally looks like a game based movei which will be good and australia bans it. why not just have a R18+ rating on the game and be done with it. why bann it permantly.
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ure kismet
27/08/2006 07:53 AM
After kinda admiring the nostalgia revealed in the Olde Worlde notion of trying to keep a piece of digital age pop culture out of a physical location like the nation of Australia one realises that these people making the decision aren't 'olde worlde' or naive at all. They are cynical sharks using someone else's enjoyment to promote their facist and oppressive agends. The game will be all over the torrent networks in Oz already and most will have probaly 'clocked' it by now. 'Yawn' more political posturing. I suppose it beats harassing Muslims as a pastime for the scumbags prepared to sell their back passage for a vote.
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Jayman
05/10/2006 01:02 PM
theres not much they can do we can just get the game shifted over from new zealand that will show them they ban a game based on a classic movie but they allow games like dead rising (not bagging it) its a good game but all u do is blow zombie heads off and chop them in half and ****.
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Mittens
02/12/2006 12:51 AM
it's in the media but I don't think anyone higher is listening. Classifications will stay as they are or they would have been changed already.
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james
07/07/2007 07:40 PM
you know because the region codes on xbox games in australia is the same as the UK you can just get 1 off ebay
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Johnny
03/10/2007 05:28 PM
I know someone who had their console chipped, and were then able to play NTSC.
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sledge
14/04/2008 09:26 PM
Boo Hoo... im an adult gamer... oh wo is me i cant have my 18+ ....oh cry cry.... wake up loosers
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sledge_IS_A_HOMO
05/05/2008 02:01 PM
sledge is quite possibly the gayest lord in world keep your comments to your self dick wad australia needs to wake up and get the 18+ rating in asap all the games that have been banned in Oz are good ones seriously grow some balls AUSTRALIA
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T.J.Dragon
15/05/2008 02:18 AM
Them banning a game makes people want it more, curiosity is just human nature and drives sales away from australian retailers because i have to download or import it so i get the uncensored version and not watered down crap. I want to be able to do alot of things that are illegal in REAL LIFE in a game and without a 18+ classification all i can do is run around with a short italian guy hitting blocks with my head. I'm sure it's fun sledge but i need a game that makes me cringe which im yet to find.
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