Don’t take this the wrong way Australia, but I feel sorry for you.  Its looking more and more like Australia is the strictest company when it comes to video games.  The problem comes down to the fact that Australia’s rating system for video games only goes up to a MA15, meaning its not suitable for people under 15, but a game like Left 4 Dead 2 would normally get an 18 or equivalent rating elsewhere in the world meaning it cant be classified in Australia and is there for banned.

According to kotaku the five reason it has been ‘refused classification’ are

* The game contains violence that is high in impact and is therefore unsuitable for persons aged under 18 to play.

* It notes that this violence is “inflicted upon ‘the Infected’ who are living humans infected with a rabies-like virus that causes them to act violently.”

* The report singles out the use of melee weapons as those that “inflict the most damage” and cause “copious amounts of blood spray and splatter (sic), decapitations and limb dismemberment… or even cause intestines to spill from the wounds.”

* In conclusion, the Board finds that the “interactive nature of the game increases the overall impact of the frequent and intense depictions of violence. This coupled with the graphic depictions of blood and gore combine to create a playing impact which is high.”

* Interestingly, the report also reveals that it wasn’t a unanimous decision and that “a minority of the Board is of the opinion that the violence is strong in playing impact and therefore warrants an MA15+ classification” instead. However, the majority voted to refuse classification.

Hopefully something can get worked out users in Australia to miss out on another big game.