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Category — Game Bans
UK’s Video Appeals Committee Rules in Favour of Manhunt 2 – Again
Categories: Decisions • Game Bans • Game Ratings
In June 2007, the British Board of Film Classification refused to rate Rockstar’s highly violent and controversial video game Manhunt 2 – effectively banning it from distribution in the U.K. The BBFC called it “unremittingly bleak, callous and sadistic”. An edited version of the game was submitted to the BBFC in October 2007. It too was effectively banned. This was the first video game ban in Britain since 1997.
Rockstar appealed the ban to the Video Appeals Committee of the BBFC which ruled last December, 4 to 3, in Rockstar’s favour. The BBFC sought judicial review of the VAC’s decision from the British High Court. The court found that VAC’s decision was flawed by a clear error of law (see here, here and here). The High Court requested the VAC to reconsider its decision under new guidelines specified by the court.
In January 2008, the VAC did reconsider under the new guidelines but voted once again, 4 to 3, in favour of giving the game a certificate 18 rating, meaning it can be sold in Britain but is suitable for adults only.
In view of the second ruling, the BBFC released a statement saying it will not challenge the ruling any further and will issue the ‘18′ rating. The edited version of the game (which is the same as the ‘reworked’ version of the game released in the U.S. under an “M’ rating) is expected to be on U.K. store shelves in June.
Click here for Wikipedia’s Timeline.
Dale’s Note: I have not yet found the text of the High Court decision or the ‘new guidelines’ it presented to the VAC. If I do, I will post them here.
Sources: BBC | Telegraph.co.uk | GameIndustry.biz 1| GameIndustry.biz 2 | MCV | BCS | Joystiq | Computer Active | Dose.ca | vnunet.com | Games Digest | EuroGamer 1 | EuroGamer 2
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Del.icio.us GRAW 2 Seized by Mexican State Chihuahua
Categories: Disgruntled Countries • Game Bans
All copies of Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warefighter 2 are to be seized in the Mexican State of Chihuahua. The game depicts U.S. special forces military actions to stop terrorist attacks, including a nuclear strike, from being launched from that state against the U.S.
Dale’s Comment: In my opinion GRAW 2 along with Gears of War are the best shooters released on the 360 to date. Terrific Game! But, Halo 3 is just around the corner.
Sources: GamePolitics.com | GameSpot | Kotaku | Yahoo@ Games | XBox 360 Fanboy | joystiq
Getting Up Distributed Via Downloads in Australia Despite Ban
Categories: Game Bans • Retail Sales
Despite the February 2006 ban of Marc Ecko’s Getting up by The Board of the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia (IEAA), an Australian computer software distributor, Mindscape, was distributing the game in Australia via downloads from its quicky.com.au website.
It appears the game was being hosted by the website’s U.S. service provider without Mindscape’s knowledge.
Since the story broke the game was taken off the site. The Australian Communications and Media Authority told Screen Play that penalties of up to $110,000 may apply to corporations selling computer games that have been refused classification.
Sources: Syndey Morning Herald | GamePolitics.com | theage.com.au
Midway Blitz – Yet Another Video Game Banned in Australia
Categories: Game Bans • Game Ratings
Midway Blitz becomes the latest video game to be denied an official age classification in Australia by the OFLC, making it illegal for the game to be sold, hired, advertised or exhibited in the country. This time it was denied classification because of drug use by some game characters. The OFLC Media Release reads, in part:
Specifically, in the course of the game, the player may access what are purported to be both legal and illegal performance-enhancing drugs for the members of their team. Choosing to use these drugs, which each have different characteristics, will have effects on team-members, such as improving their speed while also making them more susceptible to injury. Fake urine samples may also be acquired for avoiding positive drug tests.
While the game-player can choose not to use the drugs, in the Board’s view there is an incentive to use them. By using them judiciously, the player can improve the performance of their football team (while managing the negative effects) and have a better chance of winning games, thereby winning bets and climbing the league table.
Blitz’s local distributor Red Ant, has not decided yet whether to appeal.
Sources: GamePolitics.com | GameSpot | OFLC Media Release 
Germany Restricts Crackdown Sales
Categories: Game Bans • Game Ratings • Violent Game Law Cases
Along with Gears of War and Dead Rising before it, Germany’s USK has decided not to rate the video Crackdown. The result is not a total game ban. However, the game cannot be sold to minors, cannot be marketed in Germany and stores cannot display it on racks. Rather, it can only be sold to adults from under the counter.
Dale’s Comment: Crackdown has been one of my most enjoyed 360 games in the first quarter of 2007. Importantly, the May 16 Halo 3 public demo of will only be available to a select few and those that purchase specially marked Crackddown units. There will be more than a few disappointed minors in Germany looking forward to playing the Halo 3 public demo.
Sources: GameSpot | GamePolitics.com | Business Week
Microsoft Begins Banning 360 Modders
Categories: Game Bans • Modding Cases
Microsoft has began banning Xbox 360 Users that have modded their consoles from Xbox Live. According to CrunchGear, some users of non-modded boxes are getting caught up in the cross-fire.
Sources: CrunchGear | Planet Xbox 360 | The Inquirer | Xboxic | Xbox 360 Fanboy
Gears of War Denied Rating in Germany
Categories: Game Bans
Once again Germany’s USK has decided not to rate a violent video game. This time the highly anticipated game, Gears of War. This does not result in the game being banned. It prevents Microsoft from marketing it in Germany. Stores cannot display it on racks. Rather, it can only be sold under the counter.
Sources: Gamasutra | GameIndustry.biz | GameSpot | Next Generation | CVG | Fox News | Portal IT | Pro-G | Hexus | Gears of War | GameDaily.biz | TeamXbox | Xbox 360 Fanboy
Dead Rising Denied Rating (and Possibly en Route to being Banned) in Germany
Categories: Game Bans
Capcom’s forthcoming Xbox 360 exclusive, zombie-slasher, Dead Rising, was denied an age rating and while not yet banned, this sets up the possibility of it being banned by another department of the German government. The game is set for release in North America in September. Previously Germany had banned Doom 1, Doom 2, Manhunt and Command an Conquer.
Update – Jul 26, 2006: As per this joystiq article, the game will not be banned, but will simply be unrated.
Sources: Xbox 360 | 1Up.com | Joystiq 1 | Joystiq 2 | Gamasutra | GameIndustry.biz
Update Sources: GamePolitics.com | Joystiq
Reservoir Dogs Also Banned in New Zealand
Categories: Game Bans
Previously banned in Australia, New Zealand has banned the Reservoir Dogs the video game – citing extreme violence. Unlike in Australia where it is merely illegal to sell the game in that country, it is illegal to even posses the game in Kiwiland. Hence, no imports or picking up the game while traveling allowed by New Zealand Gamers.
Sources: GameSpy | nzherald.co.nz | National Business Review | Stuff | Earth Times
Australia Bans Another Video Game – Reservoir Dogs
Categories: Game Bans
The Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC), has refused to give official classification to Eidos’ video game – Reservoir Dogs, meaning that the game cannot be sold in Australian stores. According to a statement, “The Classification Board made this decision on the basis that Reservoir Dogs contains frequent depictions of violence that have a high impact.” Ironic, since the original movie played in Australian cinemas when it was released.
Sources: Gamasutra | GameIndustry.biz | EuroGamer | GameDaily.biz | joystiq | GameSpot | GamePolitics.com | Sydney Morning Herald | Ferrago | APC Start | Hexus | Team XBox | Earth Times | ITWire | vnunet.com | OFLC Media Release [pdf]
