As we previously reported on DAC, there was a lot of speculation that Fallout 3 was refused classification by the video game ratings board in Australia, effectively banning its sale. Now, word comes from Kotaku confirming what we suspected: Yes, the rumour was true. The Office of Film and Literature Classification has handed an RC to Bethesda's Fallout 3,
making it illegal to sell the game in Australia. It's not known at this
stage if the ban was for drug use, as the original rumour states, or
gore as I was predicting.
In addition, we know why it was banned because of this leaked OFLC report: The game contains the option to take a variety of "chems" using a
device which is connected to the character's arm. Upon selection of the
device a menu selection screen is displayed. Upon this screen is a list
of "chems" that the player can take, by means of selection. These
"chems" have positive effects and some negitave effects (lowering of
intelligence, or the character may become addicted to the "chem"). The
positive effects include increase in strength, stamina, resistance to
damage, agility and hit points. Corresponding with the list of various "chems" are small visual
representation of the drugs, these include syringes, tablets, pill
bottles, a crack-type pipe and blister packs. In the Board's view these
realistic visual representations of drugs and their delivery method
bring the "science-fiction" drugs in line with "real-world" drugs.
Bethesda isn't commenting on this yet, so we'll see what happens.
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