The
Australian Classification Board has banned the upcoming computer game
Syndicate. No doubt it would have qualified for an 18 rating, but as
there isn't one then the game was banned.
The Australian censors justified their decision as follows:
In the Board's view this game warrants an 'RC' classification in accordance
with rule 1(d):
Computer games that: are unsuitable for
a minor to see or play will be Refused Classification.
The game contains violence that is high in impact and is therefore
unsuitable for persons aged under 18 years to play.
The game is set in a futuristic dystopia where people have computer chips in
their heads that allow them to interact with the "dataverse", It is a first
person shooter with realistically rendered graphics. A player controls Kilo,
an agent of one of the "Syndicates" (powerful corporations), as he moves
through levels completing objectives such as rescuing Eurocorp employees and
extracting chips from people's heads.
In order to complete the missions, a player has to engage in intense combat
with swarms of enemy combatants who are clad in light armour. A variety of
weapons is available and these often cause decapitation, dismemberment and
gibbing during frenetic gunfights. For example, an intense sequence of
violence commences when a player collects a "G290 minigun", which operates
much like a Gatling gun. A player moves through a building rapidly firing at
enemy combatants. Combatants take locational damage and can be explicitly
dismembered, decapitated or bisected by the force of the gunfire. The
depictions are accompanied by copious bloodspray and injuries are shown
realistically and with detail, Flesh and bone are often exposed while
arterial sprays of blood continue to spurt from wounds at regular intervals.
Similar injuries can be caused by many other weapons, including shotguns,
high-calibre revolvers, sniper rifles, assault rifles, rocket launchers,
laser guns and grenades.
The game also allows a player to repeatedly damage enemy combatants'
corpses. This is shown in realistic depictions. For example, it is possible
for a player to decapitate a corpse with a headshot before individually
blowing off each of its limbs. Depending on the weapon used, it is also
possible to bisect a corpse, with realistic ragdoll effects noted. The
depictions are again accompanied by arterial sprays of blood and detailed
injuries that include protruding bone.
Throughout the game, a player consistently encounters unarmed civilians and
has the choice of whether to target them or riot. Civilians can be shot,
accompanied by copious bloodspray, but it is not possible to decapitate or
dismember them, whether they are alive or dead. Their corpses can still be
targeted, resulting in bloodspray only. In single player mode, the game
treats civilian deaths neutrally, but it is noted that in cooperative
gameplay, points are awarded for civilian casualties.
In the opinion of the Board, the game contains intense sequences of violence
which include detailed depictions of decapitation and dismemberment that are
high in playing impact. The game also contains the ability to inflict
repeated and realistic post mortem damage which exceeds strong in playing
impact.
It is therefore unsuitable for a minor to see or play and is therefore
Refused Classification.
Update: Meanwhile at the BBFC
24th December 2011.See article
from bbfc.co.uk
The BBFC has passed Syndicate 18 uncut with the consumer advice: Contains
strong bloody violence.
The game includes 1 hour of video or cut scenes.
An
Oklahoma lawmaker has introduced a bill in the state legislature that would
impose a tax on violent video games. Oklahoma State Representative
William Fourkiller introduced bill HB 2696, which would add a 1% tax on games
rated Teen, Mature, and Adults Only by the ESRB.
