Vogster's MMOFPS CrimeCraft hasn't had the easiest time, and it took another hit last week when it was banned in Australia. The Australian Classification Board refused classification of the game thanks to the availability of Boosts, drugs that give the player character various buffs. The reason given? "In the board's opinion, there is insufficient delineation between the 'fictional drugs' available in game and real-world proscribed drugs."
The board elaborated a bit on their decision, pointing out strong similarities to real-world drugs: "In addition, the names of boosts mimic the chemicals and colloquial names of proscribed drugs. Examples include K-Dust, Birth, Chimera, Majoun, Betadyne ResistX and Zymek Stim-Ex, as well as the anabolics Raze and Frenzy."
Australia currently does not have any sort of R18+ classification, so a game that would receive that rating is banned. Valve worked around this in October by submitting a censored version of Left 4 Dead 2, so CrimeCraft may not be entirely without hope.
Reader Comments (16)
Posted: Nov 30th 2009 6:05PM Scuffles said
I feel for the Aussies and I feel for gamers in general who should be insulted that apparently their elected officials think so little of them, that they can't separate between fantasy and reality and the fact that they don't even trust them enough to give them the option to play or not play it as they see fit but that's really just icing.
Odds are anyone who played this game and went out and committed a violent crime or crime in general.... was going to do so long before they bothered with this or ANY game.
But here is a heads up for jack thompson, you can play Drugwars on the TI-83 and TI-83+ graphing calculators. So quit slacking and get to diligently banning the use of all calculators in Australia (just to be safe).
Reply
Odds are anyone who played this game and went out and committed a violent crime or crime in general.... was going to do so long before they bothered with this or ANY game.
But here is a heads up for jack thompson, you can play Drugwars on the TI-83 and TI-83+ graphing calculators. So quit slacking and get to diligently banning the use of all calculators in Australia (just to be safe).
Posted: Nov 30th 2009 9:45PM esarphie said
Yup, outright censorship is a horrendous thing. Governments should be all about protecting us from the other guys... not from ourselves.
That said... this waste of processing power is NOT the game to fight for... your average half-life mod is more polished, balanced, and engaging.
Reply
That said... this waste of processing power is NOT the game to fight for... your average half-life mod is more polished, balanced, and engaging.
Posted: Nov 30th 2009 6:57PM (Unverified) said
They forgot to mention that they don't believe people can make their own decisions and that is why they are controlling others. Vote these morons out of office.
Reply
Posted: Nov 30th 2009 9:57PM Benicio said
Unfortunately the power lies in one old antiquated Attorney General from South Australia who has found himself in a position of power and is doing everything he can to let people know 'who is boss' and force his old fashioned ideals on the whole of Australia.
“Access to electronic games, once in the home, cannot be policed and therefore the games are easily accessible to children.” That is his sole reasoning for banning all adult content games.
Reply
“Access to electronic games, once in the home, cannot be policed and therefore the games are easily accessible to children.” That is his sole reasoning for banning all adult content games.
Posted: Nov 30th 2009 7:56PM (Unverified) said
Its just highlight of a smaller thing that part of a bigger issue, there are alot of Australians trying to push for a ratings system but sadly theres 1 man whos currently standing in the way. Sadly Atkinson is a narrow minded old fart , who isnt in touch with the real world. and because of this we currently suffer.
Being the resourceful bunch we are, ratings on some games don't really mean a lot "cough l4d2 cough", Since alot of us arent fans of water in our games.
Reply
Being the resourceful bunch we are, ratings on some games don't really mean a lot "cough l4d2 cough", Since alot of us arent fans of water in our games.
Posted: Nov 30th 2009 8:01PM swarmofcats said
"...the names of boosts mimic the chemicals and colloquial names of proscribed drugs. Examples include K-Dust, Birth, Chimera, Majoun, Betadyne ResistX and Zymek Stim-Ex, as well as the anabolics Raze and Frenzy."
Say what now?
Reply
Say what now?
Posted: Dec 1st 2009 7:21AM (Unverified) said
I really hate this for you all. Not only because this limits your ability to play MMO's but your basic liberties are being stripped away. Is your your Attorney General voted in? If not can you vote out who assigned him? I play WWIIOL with a friend from Australia and the crap he has to put up with drives me nuts!
Reply
Posted: Dec 1st 2009 7:47AM MewmewGrrl said
They have no adult classification. So rather than just making an adult classification, they ban any game that should be for adults. After all, games are just for kids right?
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