What a joke
Due to the fact that the Australian Classification Board decided that an Alien Anal Probe weapon was crossing the line due “sexual violence with no justified context,” (can alien technology ever really be justified, guys?) Saints Row IV was denied classification — even with an 18+ age rating, which we now know is an absolute joke. But as of today, there are reports of a “Low Violence Version” of the game appearing on Steam, most likely in an effort to combat the lack of rating, which would allow Australians to possibly play the game in some form.
If this new version is genuine, I don’t fault Volition at all in any of this for originally wanting to make the game they wanted to make, as this potential new variant might be the only way for some Australians to experience the game. Truly, Australia really needs to get its act together in terms of ratings. They’re an increasingly growing market, with tons of studios, tons of great media outlets, and now, they have their own version of PAX. There’s no need to hold the industry back any further.