Today the Australian government announced that the upcoming mayhem simulator Saint’s Row IV has been “Refused Classification” by the Australian Classification Board.
According to their press release, the Classification Board decided to refuse classification because of “visual depictions of implied sexual violence which are not justified by context” and “elements of illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards.”
Australia, known for banning many “objectionable” games, recently switched to a new rating system. Saint’s Row IV is the first game to receive the RC rating under the new guidelines.
In a statement released to Joystiq, Saint’s Row IV publisher Deep Silver confirmed…
“…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.”
For the rest of the world, Saints Row IV will be out in North America on August 20, and in Europe on August 23. Hopefully our friends down under won’t have to wait too long to join us in The Row.
Source: Australian Classification Board, Joystiq
Addie grew up near Detroit. After studying Cell Biology at the University of Michigan and spending a year looking into microscopes, Addie decided to volunteer--playing video games. hobbies run from gaming to music (voice, bass, guitar) to rugby. Addie is a strong supporter of indie and low-cost gaming, an area she thinks is underserved by the media.
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