Valve releases L4D 2 ratings update

[Blink]

Recently there has been some controversy surrounding the banning of L4D 2 in Australia due to it's refusal of a rating. Valve have released some news surrounding this and ratings in other countries:

Valve today announced an update on the ratings status of Left 4 Dead 2. The title, targeted for release exclusively on Xbox 360 and PC November 17, has been rated in the majority of the world and awaiting final ratings in the UK and New Zealand, where final ratings are expected in the coming days. Meanwhile, the ruling in Australia from the OFLC has been appealed by Valve.

Here is a look at the status of L4D2 ratings are of this moment far:

COMPLETED RATINGS
PEGI (continental Europe) - 18+
ESRB (North America) - M
CERO (Japan) -Z (corresponds to Mature in US)
IFCO (Ireland) - Approved the title for classification.
USK (Germany) - 18+
Singapore - Mature 18
FPB (South Africa) - 18+
KGRB (Korea) -18+

PENDING RATINGS
OLFC New Zealand - In progress.
BBFC (UK) - In progress.
OFLC Australia - Refused to rate on September 17. Appealed September 23.

Let's hope they can resolve the problems with the OFLC in time for the release.

[kraid]

USK (Germany) - 18+

What they didn't say about it, it's the censored version which got the USK 18+ rating.
The uncut version will get banned for sure, like L4D1 uncut.

[srredfire]

I seriously do not get the censoring that goes on, and the banning. Obviously I have no political input on the issue, I'm from America, etc, but honestly it's too bad that these things happen. Not only does it seem like them making choices for you, but it's a shame that people's hard work isn't able to spread and get the attention it deserves.

Don't turn this into a political debate, I'm just saying it's just all unfortunate.

[popcornjake]

OFLC Australia - Refused to rate on September 17. Appealed September 23.

hehehe

[Sathor]

In America, they make a fuss about different things ... like ... boobs.

Anyway, you missunderstand something, kraid. Games can not be BANNED in Germany. The maximum is, they can be set on the index. That means you may not advertise them and they may be present in store fronts, etc. This does not happen so often anymore anyway. Game companies have long chosen to produce a censored version. They just don't sell the normal uncut version in Germany. That is a big difference. I guess an uncut L4D would get the same rating - 18+. It is the developer's choice and somehow, Valve has always done it that way. It is perfectly legal to import the uncut version of games, if you are 18+. Thats why they are not banned. Game companies just choose to produce a censored version in hope for a better age rating. Which they don't get anyway, if there is violence involved. lol

Ill simply order L4D2 over an Austrian game shop. Costs the same (sometimes even a bit less) and arrives the same time as the cut version.

I think in Australia a ban means a real ban? So you can't buy it and it is illegal? That would be against german constitution.

[FlynT]

Michael Atkinson refused the implementation of a 18+ Rating in Australia. He said "It certainly does restrict choice to a small degree, but that is the price of keeping this material from children and vulnerable adults. In my view, the small sacrifice is worth it," -> News

Im sure he did not know how big this "small degree" is.

I dont live in Australia but i dont understand why they refuse an implementation of 18+ rating for video-games if they already had it for movies or any other media.
And why they dont judge everything in the same way? Video games get banned/indexed if they have blood and gore but movies like Saw, Texas Chain Saw etc. not? I mean the difference in blood and gore between games and movies is significant. Seriously what looks more realistic, blood and gore in games or in movies?

[The Doctor]

but that is the price of keeping this material from children and vulnerable adults.

What the fuck is a vulnerable adult? Is that someone who constantly bangs their head against a brick wall sitting alone in the corner of a room. No touchies!!!