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Fallout 3 to hit Australian consoles

Posted on August 14, 2008, 5:05pm and updated on August 14, 2008 at 6:07 pm

Controversial video game Fallout 3 will be released in Australia after it was granted an MA15+ rating by the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) last Thursday.

Fallout 3 — now scheduled for release on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 — was originally denied classification by the OFLC because it contained “the option to take a variety of drugs.… using a device which is connected to the character’s arm”.

Among methods of using these “chems” are syringes, tablets, pill bottles, a “crack-type” pipe and blister packs.

The OFLC said the “realistic visual representation” of the drugs, as well as the use of morphine, a prescribed drug, led to classification being refused.

While it is known modifications have been made to Fallout 3 to acquire the MA15+ rating, it is as yet unknown what changes have been made to address the OFLC’s concerns.

A spokesperson for Fallout 3’s Australian distributor Red Ant said no comment would be made in regards to the changes made to ensure classification, but said there was excitement that the game was going to be released in the country.

However, a report from the OFLC classification board suggests images depicting the implementation of drugs may have been removed, as well as the names of the drugs changed from realistic names such as morphine.

“The drug references within this revised version are justified by context,” the report said.

“The drugs depicted are fictional; drugs are depicted as stylised icons on a menu with the drug use itself not depicted.

“Players can invoke the use of a variety of ‘chems’ listed by fictitious names which include ‘Buff’, ‘Rad-X’, ‘Psycho’ and ‘Ultrajet’.”

Despite Fallout 3 receiving classification, it was not a unanimous decision, with a minority of the board claiming the game warranted being refused classification a second time.

Gametraders Mount Gambier franchisee Robert Lockwood said it was a positive sign that the game will be released in Australia, but claimed the modification in any form would lead to some gamers importing banned versions of the game from overseas.

The importing of the game, as was the case of one of the biggest releases in gaming history, Grand Theft Auto 4, is expected to impact on local sales.

“People are thinking about importing it and it obviously affects local stores,” Mr Lockwood said.

“Obviously if a game is banned, anyone importing it is breaking the law.

“We are not allowed to import it and sell it or we get fined.”

Mr Lockwood said the easiest way to protect local stores from losing out to importing, was to introduce an R18+ rating for video games, an issue that has been a hot topic since Grand Theft Auto 4 was refused classification before its modified version hit Australian shores.

“The sensible thing to do would be to have an R18 rating,” Mr Lockwood said.

“At least it is going to be released and people can get it, but it still comes back to the fact that we should have an R rating so games don’t have to be altered to be released here.”

Fallout 3 is scheduled for an October release, with an exact date to be confirmed.

BRAD GRAY

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