Left 4 Dead developer Valve has been pressing to appeal a decision made by Australia's Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) ratings board to refuse classification for L4D2 in its unedited glory, essentially barring the original game's release in the region. The OFLC would eventually relent only after Valve and publisher Electronic Arts altered more graphic elements of the sequel, allowing L4D2 to earn an "MA 15+" rating.
Valve and EA intended to put up the good fight for as long as possible even after undertaking its cuts to ensure L4D2's Australian release in some form. Unfortunately, their appeal (filed September 23rd) of the OFLC's original ratings refusal has been rejected today. As it stands, the title as Valve intended it will remain barred from Australia. Gamersin the countrywill just have to put up with the MA 15+ rated version until the government body ever agrees to change its mind for Valve.
In the Review Board’s opinion, Left 4 Dead 2 could not be accommodated within the MA 15+ classification. The computer game contains a level of violence which is high in impact, prolonged, repeated frequently and realistic within the context of the game.In addition, it was the Review Board’s opinion that there was insufficient delineation between the depiction of general zombie figures and the human figures, as opposed to the clearly fictional ‘infected’ characters. This was a major consideration of the Review Board in determining the impact of this game on minors.
Much of the heartache surrounding L4D2's Australian release stems from the country's lack of an applicable rating forgamesaimed atconsumers aged 17 and up. It's asituation that doesn't look to change anytime soon, if Australia's attorney general Michael Atkinson will have any say on the matter.Games which would be rated for such an age group in other regions typically see less chance of being released in Australia as a result.
It's a real shame especially in the case of L4D2, since gamers themselves in Australiaare no less apt in demonstrating theirenthusiasm for the Valve franchise.
Source:Australia Classification Review Board Press Release (PDF)
Alternate Source:Australia Classification Review Board
Section:PC Games
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