Aliens vs. Predator un-banned

PS3 News | Whoever wins, we won?

After the OFLC refused classification of the anticipated Aliens vs. Predator game, thus preventing its release and sale in Australia, SEGA Australia has announced today that the decision has been overturned.

According to Darren Macbeth, Managing Director of SEGA Australia, the Australian Classification Review Board has overturned the RC (Refused Classification) rating, without any cuts made to the game.

In his words, "It is with great pleasure that we announce the success of our appeal. We are particularly proud that the game will be released in its original entirety, with no content altered or removed whatsoever. This is a big win for Australian gamers. We applaud the Classification Review Board on making a decision that clearly considers the context of the game, and is in line with the modern expectations of reasonable Australians."

The game has been re-rated as MA15+.

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50 Comments

Jarrod

2 years ago

Now rate it R18+ and herald in a new age of game ratings.

samiboi

2 years ago

GOOD THING IT'S NOT AS VIOLENT AS L4D2 LOL

Edgedancer

2 years ago

I know it is good that is can now come out but it still defeats the purpose as it is not suitable to minors. The developers said that and I have to agree. I personally believe that it is a mistake giving it MA 15+ as it wall give Michael Atkinson ammunition regarding inappropriate games.

Itachi

2 years ago

^^^^^ Or people could say this game should be R18+ and since we only have a 15+ rating under age people are playing it. It really could go either way tbh. Either way i will be buying this game.

People could easily use this game as a cause and say this is why we need a R18+ game.

Karai Pantsu

2 years ago

Definitely a double edged sword. It's great that it's getting a local release, but less than great that it's being released as MA15+

I really think this will end up reflecting very badly on the classification board, and really give Atkinson some iron-clad defense for his arguments. Just thinking about his inevitable gloating, told-you-so, smug **** take on this... makes me cringe.

This is absolutely a perfect example of why the R18+ category is necessary, but you just know it's going to be used to further attempt to block it's introduction.

Balls.

Jammers

2 years ago

Holy ****! I thought I'd have to download it illegally!

+money to Sega.

Kaiden

2 years ago

atkinson is a dumbass. if he even dares to argue this as slipping under the radar then it is ALL HIS FAULT. He's the only one holding back the R18 which this game would probably fallen into. So if he ends up complaining about this game like he did with mw2 - he can seriously go #$%# himself.

GooberMan

2 years ago

Karai Pantsu wrote

I really think this will end up reflecting very badly on the classification board

Just a clarification here. It'll reflect badly on the Classification Review Board - an entirely separate entity that Atkinson himself wanted to use to get Modern Warfare 2 re-rated.

Alternately, it might prove to him how futile his effort would have been. Either way, there's some cautious lols to be had.

BurnZ

2 years ago

Do we have a release date?

I'm glad it's getting released here, one of my favorite crossovers is this.

Azza

2 years ago

The next few debate weeks should be interesting, given that the public can now 'have their say', and Atkinson now has a reasonable defense (for once). You could say that things are heating up.

devonuto

2 years ago

...and here comes captain no fun Michael Atkinson to appeal the appeal.

Fluffmon

2 years ago

I think many of you have gone mad lol. This doesn't help Atkinson at all, in fact it hurts his stance more than anything.

What's he going to say?

"Games that are only suitable for adults are now being rated for 15 year old's..."

Lol that only enforces the need for an 18 category, which is what he's against.

fatpizza

2 years ago

Sweet

G J FLAME

2 years ago

I am so happy that this game got through can't wait. Now lets get an R18+ in oz aswell shall we.

johnnyabc

2 years ago

I wish all MA15+ rated games that should be rated "R" be banned, MW2, GTA4 and a dozen others.
Then our retailers would scream and since money makes the world go round we would have an "R" Rating before you knew it.

ObsoletE

2 years ago

news was posted almost 10 hours ago...

I guess Denny is still dancing.

Frozencry

2 years ago

Yes, but I'm heading to bed now, feet are hurting.

Yay for AvP Aus servers!

JackSlack

2 years ago

Karai Pantsu wrote

I disagree. We can in turn use this as a beautiful example for our own cause.

"We have FLAT OUT proof that games that should be coming in as R18+ are getting brought in as MA15+. The system needs reform, badly. This game, that absolutely should not be in the hands of children, can now be bought by anyone regardless of their age, and people like Michael Atkinson are to blame."

JackSlack

2 years ago

Oh, and as a second note? BOO therefore to Valve. AGAIN boo.

See, Valve? This is what happens when you stand up for yourself, instead of crippling your case from word one with a "oh, but we can edit it if you need us to". You flat out proved in one swoop that you didn't believe your game required it, it wasn't artistically important, and as such, you lost. Kudos to Sega for having guts (pun intended), and showing what guts can do.

Karai Pantsu

2 years ago

Or it could be used to further his point that the groups charged with laying down the ratings, or in this case handling the appeal of their decision, frequently push titles through at a lower rating than they deserve and therefore couldn't be trusted to refuse titles that should be 'RC' with an R18+ category introduced. As was one of his main arguments on the issue previously.

JackSlack

2 years ago

Karai Pantsu wrote

The thing is, we've never disagreed on that point, really. We both know a lot of games that have been rated MA15+ should have been reserved for a higher rating. (Either R18+ or RC, depending upon your position.) In the end, I don't think this decision helps either point exclusively, but it does up the stakes on it.

Karai Pantsu

2 years ago

Oh definitely, we know that - but we're the ones who know the system, and what it deals with, best. My concern lies with how much it could be used to sway those who aren't so informed on the issue.

AvP is, I think it's fair to say, one of the most graphically violent video games to date - well deserving on an R18+ rating. Having it come through as MA15+, and therefor available to all and sunder, could turn a lot of people on to the side of blocking their release.

I just hope that this situation does get used effectively to push our stance on the issue publicly, because as you say it certainly raises the stakes.

To clarify - I completely agree that it is a potent example for either side in this case, I just have less faith in 'our side' to utilise it as I am almost certain Atkinson will.

Phreakuency

2 years ago

Great news, I want to get this game!

I still say, COD MW2 should have been banned everywhere in the world. The airport scene is disgraceful and there is no way it ever needed to be in a playable game.

I bet it was hidden from the review board.

Anyway, Sci-Fi violence should be allowed so congrats to AVP.

Slipvayne21

2 years ago

awesome, even though ive already grabbed my copy from overseas.

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Aliens Vs. Predator

Pre-order or buy:
PALGN recommends: www.Play-Asia.com

Australian Release Date:
  18/02/2010 (Confirmed)
Publisher:
  SEGA Australia
Genre:
  Shooter
Year Made:
  2009
Players:
  1

Read more...