About turn! Aussie censors approve unedited Aliens vs. Predator
by Stevie Smith - Dec 21 2009, 09:55
Aliens vs. Predator set to chest-burst its way on to Aussie retail shelves. Image: Rebellion.
Although initially refused age classification in Australia, the retail ban forced upon contentious videogame Aliens vs. Predator has now been lifted across the region after third-party publisher SEGA successfully appealed the Classification Review Board’s ruling.
“It is with great pleasure that we announce the success of our appeal,” said SEGA Australia president Darren Macbeth in an official statement. “We are particularly proud that the game will be released in its original entirety, with no content altered or removed whatsoever.”
The Classification Review Board’s revised decision to grant Aliens vs. Predator a 15+ rating – presently the country’s highest age category – comes after UK-based software developer Rebellion said it would rather withhold the title from release in Australia than hack down its adult-themed content to appease Aussie censors.
“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,” added Macbeth.
Available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Games for Windows, Aliens vs. Predator fell into the crosshairs of censorship during the classification process due to its extremely graphic depictions of violence, which include close quarter dismemberment and decapitation.
News of Aliens vs. Predator’s approved classification and imminent release in Australia follows on from a public debate opened by the country’s government last week regarding the possibility of introducing an 18+ age rating for the computer and videogame sector.
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