Left 4 Dead 2

This is no joke. It really is banned in Australia. It’s all over the net.

THE sequel to a popular video game has been banned in Australia after failing to receive a rating of MA15+.

Left 4 Dead 2 was refused classification by the Classifications Board this week, meaning it will be banned from sale.

In its report the board said the game, due to be released in November, contained “realistic, frenetic and unrelenting violence”.

“The game contains violence that is high in impact and is therefore unsuitable for persons under 18 years to play,” the report said.

Related story Click here to read the Classification Board’s report (PDF, 600k)

There is no adult rating for video games in Australia. Any game that fails to meet the criteria for MA15+ is refused classification.

Gametraders national marketing manager Chad Polley said the decision was “hugely disappointing”.

“Left 4 Dead 2 was expected to be even bigger than the original version,” he said.

“We had huge predictions of sales.”

At least one member of the Classifications Board disagreed with the decision.

“A minority of the board is of the opinion that the violence is strong in playing impact and therefore warrants an MA15+ classification,” the report said.

Such a classification would have allowed the game to be sold in Australia.

Mr Polley said the decision highlighted the need to reform the rating system for games.

“We would love to see an R18+ rating introduced for more transparency around games,” he said.

Earlier today distributor Electronic Arts told gaming blog Kotaku it was in discussions with the Office of Film and Literature Classification.

“(We) are still working through the submission process with the OFLC and want to explore all opportunities before making any comment,” the company said.

Left 4 Dead 2 is the fourth title to be banned in Australia this year after strip poker game Sexy Poker, shooter Necrovision and role-playing game Risen.

Edited versions of Sexy Poker and Necrovision were both rated M after resubmission.

The plot of the original Left 4 Dead followed four survivors of a medical pandemic as they battled zombie-like victims. It received several end-of-year awards from gaming publications.

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