No edits: Aliens vs. Predator withheld from Australian market

by Stevie Smith - Dec 7 2009, 07:37

Evidently, game developer Rebellion is not willing to bow to recent pressure applied by ratings censors in Australia after its upcoming videogame release Aliens vs. Predator was denied classification due to its extreme levels of graphic violence.

While editing contentious material is generally accepted as the only way to push a targeted game through the process and onto Aussie retail shelves, Rebellion has indicated it would rather withhold Aliens vs. Predator from the Australian market ahead of pandering to a classification board unwilling to grant adult consumers the right to purchase or pass on the game’s gory horror content.

“We will not be releasing a sanitized or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices,” outlined the UK-based development studio in an official statement.

“The content of AVP is based on some of the most innovative and iconic horror movies, and as such we wanted to create a title that was true to the source material,” added Rebellion. “It is for adults, and it is bloody and frightening, that was our intent.”

Last week, the Australian Classification Board denied the SEGA-published action shooter an MA 15+ rating, its highest such classification for games software, on the grounds that the title included extreme examples of close-quarter decapitation and dismemberment, along with locational damage such as stabbing through the chest, mouth, throat and eyes.

Set for availability on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Games for Windows, Aliens vs. Predator will begin tearing its way towards gamers in February of 2010.

As a side note: Given Germany’s similarly itchy trigger finger when it comes to violent videogames, we expect Aliens vs. Predator will soon receive a similar grilling via the USK. Watch this space.

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