Fallout 3, the third game in the Fallout series by Bethesda Game Studios has been rejected by the OFLC, making the game illegal to be sold, advertised, or demonstrated in Australia. The reasons for the rejection is due to the "realistic visual representations of drugs and their delivery method (bringing) the 'science-fiction' drugs in line with 'real-world' drugs."

This means that Fallout fans are unable to play this game, and the only way Bethesda can sell the game in the country is to release a crippled version or not to have the game released at all.

Such a surprise ;) What about digital distribution or buying the game in online store?

MobyGames news - the first in whats banned in Australia.
I am not happy about all the stuff that is banned but it doesn't have to come a news item every time it does. It is making us look bad and I see more important stuff go pass my RSS news ticker that is more important and gets no mention.

It's a preposterously conservative reaction, so I don't mind it's reminded of every now and then until someone finally does something about it. On the other hand, feel free to contribute more important news items =)

Maybe it was a bit of an overreaction, as I think Fallout 3 is one of the biggest games they have baned. I think it is a conspiracy within the OFLC to get the R18+ rating for games in, thats why it is so much inconsistency.

Yeah. It gets pretty old after the, what ? Seventh time this month ? XD

I post these news items about something rejected in Australia, so that MobyUsers can all laugh at how out of touch Australia is. I agree with Sciere on this. If you feel that something is newsworthy, then post it.

Rejecting Fallout 3 was one of the stupid decisions that the OFLC has made. From time to time, a major blockbuster like BioShock contains drug use but is passed with no problems. But another blockbuster gets banned because it contains drug use? I just found more examples here. If an AO rating existed, then there would be no inconsistencies like this.

The whole rating thing seems even worse if you take into account that the average gamer is 23 years old. I remember reading about it somewhere and I believe someone had posted a source here that stated the same. Plus most of the current gen games that look promising have a rating of 16+ or 18+.

I saw this on this NZ site, regarding Fallout.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4619479a1899.html

I wonder how this country will treat it?

I say remove that South Australia Attorney-General jackass and THEN implement an R18+ rating. He says he is trying to keep these game from harming children but it seems that is why you give it an R18+ rating so it CAN'T be legally sold to a child. This is one time I'm glad I live in the USA.

I wished I lived in the US, but I am glad that I do not live in South Australia.

Australia's lack of an AO games rating is so ridiculous, that people continue to import rejected games, even though it is prohibited. What the attorney-general does not understand is not allowing games with an AO rating means that only children play games, and that every game released in Australia is suitable for a minor. If I had the authority to fire said jackass, I would have a long time ago.

I mostly blame those bozos living in South Australia. A lot of people living in SA keep begging for an AO rating, yet they continue to vote the SA Attorney-General in who does not give a damn about adults. They have no one to blame but themselves.

I was reading that his seat is so sure to win that no other politician tries to challenge him.

So in the end it could be that no other politician tries to challenge him and that's why his seat is so sure.

Aren't you glad we pirates are here to fill in the void through the black market. :p