Saints Row IV Banned In Australia
Saints Row IV has been refused classification by the Australian Classification Board.
This makes Saints Row IV the first game to be refused classification under new guidelines that introduced an R18+ classification for videogames in Australia.
In a statement released this morning, the ACB said it classified the game “RC (Refused Classification)” in accordance with the new guidelines. Publisher Deep Silver told Joystiq developer Volition is reworking the game’s content for the territory.
“In the Board’s opinion, Saints Row IV, includes interactive, visual depictions of implied sexual violence which are not justified by context,” reads the ACB’s statement. “In addition, the game includes elements of illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards. Such depictions are prohibited by the computer games guidelines.”
Games that are rated Refused Classification are banned for sale, hire or public exhibition in Australia, and are illegal to possess in Western Australia and some parts of the Northern Territory.
Publisher Deep Silver has released the following statement:
“Deep Silver can confirm that Saints Row IV was denied an age classification in Australia. Volition, the developer, are reworking some of the code to create a version of the game for this territory by removing the content which could cause offence without reducing the outlandish gameplay that Saints Row fans know and love. Saints Row IV has been awarded PEGI 18 and ESRB M ratings where fans can enjoy their time in Steelport as originally intended.”
The new guidelines began on January 1 this year, and introduced a new adult level for video games, R18+, which restricts sale to anyone under the age of 18.
In the six months since the new rating was introduced, the ACB has applied it to 17 video games, including God of War: Ascension and Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel.
Earlier this month, the publisher announced a Saints Row 4 Collector’s Edition ahead of the Saints Row 4 release date of August 20 in North America and August 23 in Europe.
Saints Row 4 is slated to hit the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.
