LEFT 4 DEAD 1 (MA15+) VS. 2 (RC)
September 25th 2009
Many thanks to Bjorn who got his hands on the Classification Board report for the original LEFT 4 DEAD game which a year ago was rated MA15+ (Strong violence).
The report throws up some interesting information. Not least, the fact that a minority of the Classification Board wanted to ban it!
Here is Bjorn's comparison between the two reports.
Point 1
Left 4 Dead:
“The wound and site of dismemberment contains little detail other than the
blood depictions, and there is no detail of viscera, bone and cleft marks
associated with the violence.”
Left 4 Dead 2:
“These [melee] close in attacks cause copious amounts of blood spray and
splatter, decapitations and limb dismemberment as well as locational damage
where contact is made to the enemy which may reveal skeletal bits and gore.
Bjorn: The improved damage model appears to be the key factor in the Board’s decision. The Board specifically noted the lack of detail in wounds and sites of dismemberment in Left 4 Dead, so the new, more detailed melee damage model attracted particular attention and specific mention in the decision report for the sequel.
Point 2
Left 4 Dead:
“The scenario is typical of this genre and the storyline is fanciful, acting
to lower impact.”
Left 4 Dead 2:
“The interactive nature of the game increases the overall impact of the
frequent and intense depictions of violence. This coupled with the graphic
depictions of blood and gore combine to create a playing impact which is high.”
Bjorn: Context and interactivity are dealt with inconsistently by the Board, as these elements would seem to have changed little from the original game, yet are assessed quite differently. Interactivity is a strong contextual factor in game classification, however when read one after the other, it is hard to understand how it is a key factor in Left 4 Dead 2 and not the original. This is yet another example of the inconsistency with which the Classification Board applies the Classification Guidelines.
Point 3
Left 4 Dead:
A minority of the Board is of the opinion that the continual and unremitting
acts of violence with substantial blood detail is high in impact [and recommend
RC].
Left 4 Dead 2:
A minority of the Board is of the opinion that the violence is strong in playing
impact and therefore warrants an MA 15+ classification.
Bjorn: Both games were split decisions for the Board. The Board has 5 new members since Left 4 Dead was classified, although of course there is no way of knowing which members classified either game.
Left 4 Dead 2 has been the subject of controversy for a reason other than classification in Australia recently. Fans believed it to be no more than an expansion for the original game, for which they would be unfairly charged, rather than receiving it as a free update to the original game. From this background, it is interesting to compare Review Board decisions for these two very similar games, and discover the very fine line that separates the game able to be sold to 15 year olds, and the one deemed unable to be legally sold to anyone at all in Australia.
LEFT 4 DEAD Classification Board Report
Board Report T08/4034
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995
CLASSIFICATION BOARD
DETAILS OF THE COMPUTER GAME:
FILE No T08/4034
Title: LEFT 4 DEAD
Version: ORIGINAL
Format: Nintendo DS
Duration: VARIABLE
Publisher: VALVE
Programmer: VALVE
Production Co: VALVE
Country Of Origin: USA
Language: ENGLISH
Application Type: Comp Game Assessed Level 1
Applicant: ELECTRONIC ARTS
PROCEDURE;
The Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995, the
National Classification Code and the Classification Guidelines are followed when
classifying films, computer games and publications
Written submissions: NO
Oral submissions: NO
MATERIAL CONSIDERED:
In classifying this item regard was had to the following:
(i) The Application YES
(ii) A written synopsis of the item YES
(iii) The Item YES
(iv) Other NO
DECISION
(1) Classification: MA 15+
(2) Consumer Advice: Strong violence
(3) Key:
SYNOPSIS:
This zombie style first person shooter game pits the player, a
"survivor" and one of a team of five against numerous
"infected" beings. The player can also assume the perspective of one
of five "Boss" infected characters.
REASONS FOR THE DECISION;
In making this decision, the Classification Board has applied the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (the Classification Act), including the matters set out in sections 9A and 11 of the Classification Act, the National Classification Code (the Code) and the Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games 2005 (the Guidelines).
In the Board's view this computer game warrants an MA 15+ classification as, in accordance with Item 2 of the Computer Games Table of the National Classification Code, it is unsuitable for viewing or playing by persons under 15.
Pursuant to the Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games, this computer game is classified MA 15+ as the impact of the classifiable elements is strong. Material classified MA 15+ is considered unsuitable for persons under 15 years of age. It is a legally restricted category.
The classifiable element is violence that is strong in playing impact.
VIOLENCE
The game contains violence that is strong in impact and justified by context.
The violence can be by way of shooting, being hit with a variety of missiles, immolation, or in hand to hand combat. The violence is accompanied by copious blood spray, blood pooling and occasional dismemberment and atomising of victims. The wound and site of dismemberment contains little detail other than the blood depictions and there is no detail of viscera, bone and cleft marks associated with the violence. The soundtrack contains sound effects associated with violence including moderate coarse language, pleas of victims and the guttural moans and roars of the creatures. The scenario is typical of this genre and the storyline is fanciful, acting to lower impact.
A minority of the Board is of the opinion that the continual and unremitting acts of violence with substantial blood detail is high in impact. In the absence of a classification at the R18+ level for computer games, this game in the minority view is therefore assessed at RC in accordance with item 1(d) of the computer games table of the National Classification Code..
DECISION
This computer game is classified MA 15+ with consumer advice of strong violence.
The classification decision is based on section 21A of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 which states that if the Board is of the opinion that a classified computer game contains contentious material (whether activated through use of a code or otherwise) that was not brought to the Board's attention in accordance with subsection 14(4) or 17(2) before the classification was made and if the Board had been aware of the material before the classification was made, it would have given the game a different classification, the Board must revoke the classification.
September 25th 2009
Refused-Classification.com
