Here we go again! Aliens vs. Predator has been refused classification by Australia’s ratings board, becoming the latest victim of General Attorny Michael Atkinson and his pathetic refusal to allow an adult rating for videogames in the country. Interestingly, I have never heard of the Aliens or Predator movies ever getting banned, despite having more or less the same content.
In Germany, Sega chose to pre-empt the predictable banning shenanigans by not even bothering to try getting the game rated. Apparently Sega fancied its chances in Australia, but it appears the attempt to get a classification has been a big waste of time. I don’t know why publishers even patronize Australia by trying anymore.
In any case, it seems that Australians will have to become criminals again in order to play a simple videogame. Thank you, Michael Atkinson, for essentially raising the crime rate in your country by forcing law-abiding gamers to break the law. Hit the jump the OFLC’s official summary of the game.
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.
