ALIENS VS. PREDATOR: A Record Year for RC Ratings
December 4, 2009
Yesterday Sega's ALIENS VS. PREDATOR became the sixth game of 2009 to be banned by the Classification Board.
This officially makes it the worst year ever (excluding Police submissions) for banned games.
Gamearena.com.au have obtained a copy of the Classification Board's report which shows that violence was behind the RC rating.
"The game contains first-person perspective, close-up depictions of human characters being subjected to various types of violence, including explicit decapitation and dismemberment as well as locational damage such as stabbing through the chest, mouth, throat, or eyes," the board report stated. Characters can be stabbed with a Predator's wrist blade or an Alien's tail in depictions reminiscent of impalement. The Predator collects 'trophies' by explicitly ripping off human heads, their spinal columns dangling from severed necks. Heads can be twisted completely around in order to break a character's neck. Eyes can be stabbed through or gouged, leaving empty, bloodied eye sockets. It is noted that a player is able to combine manoeuvres together in quick succession, which further increases impact; for example, a Predator can stab a character through both eyes with its wrist blade and rip off their head, with spinal column still attached. Extensive post-mortem damage, including decapitation and dismemberment, is also possible."
Depictions of violence such as the above are accompanied by copious amounts of blood and gore. including ample wound details and visible skeleton.
In the opinion of the Board, the violence in the game causes a high playing impact due to its first-person, close up perspective, conceptual nature and the level of explicit detail involved in the depictions. The game is therefore unsuitable for minors to see and play and should be refused classification.
Uncut or not at all
A censored Australian version looks unlikely according to a report in Games.on.net who quoted Tim Jones from Rebellion as saying:
"We and SEGA decided not to release the game in Germany as we would've had to make significant cuts to the game which would have harmed the gameplay experience. We've tried hard to ensure that the game is as close to the content of the movies as possible. The Aliens and Predator movies are very much intended for adults and as such we have some pretty violent moments in there."
"There's one version and it'll be up to the ratings boards in each territory as to whether to pass the game or not."
February 2010 release
Here is what Sega Australia's site had to say about the planned February 2010 release.
Aliens vs. Predator is an entirely new title for PC and high-definition consoles from acclaimed British developer Rebellion, the team behind the 1999 original PC gaming classic.
Bringing the legendary war between two of science-fiction’s most popular characters to FPS fans, AvP delivers three outstanding single player campaigns and provides untold hours of unique 3-way multiplayer gaming.
Experience distinctly new and thrilling first person gameplay as you survive, hunt and prey in the deadly jungles and swamps surrounding the damned colony of Freya’s Prospect.
- As the Marine, you’ll experience a claustrophobic and terrifying experience where light is your friend, but there’s never enough. However, the United States Marine Corps are humanity’s last line of defence, and as such they are armed to the teeth with the very latest in high explosive and automatic weaponry.
- As the Predator, you will stalk from the shadows and from above, passing athletically through the treetops to ambush your victims. Although equipped with an array of powerful, exotic weapons and tracking equipment, honour ultimately dictates that you must get in close and take your trophies face to face.
- As the most deadly species in the universe, the Alien offers you the chance to play as the very stuff of nightmares - the monster in the dark swarming forward with countless others, jaws like a steel trap and claws like blades.
- Play all sides off against each other in a series of unique 3-way online modes and go tooth-to-claw-to-pulse rifle in the reinvention of one of multiplayer gaming’s defining moments.
Rated 18 in the UK
On Wednesday the BBFC awarded the game an 18 rating.
ALIENS VS PREDATOR Video Game
Classified 02 December, 2009 .
Run Time Not relevant
Consumer Advice: Contains very strong bloody violence and gore, and strong language
This work was passed with no cuts made.
When submitted to the BBFC the linear elements within the work had a running time (eg cut scenes) of 28m 0s.
This work was submitted to the BBFC by SEGA Europe Ltd .
n/aALIENS VS PREDATOR
00:28:00:00 CUTSCENES
n/a (00:03:21:00) GAMEPLAY FOOTAGE
Get out and Protest
Those of you in Brisbane currently complaining about this decision to other gamers in the echo chamber of the net would be better off attending the R18+ games rally.
It begins 11am Saturday, at King George Square. More information can be found at the Treat Us Like Adults site.
December 4, 2009
Refused-Classification.com
