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Valve displeased over Left 4 Dead 2 ban
Valve's upcoming sequel to the very popular Left 4 Dead zombie shooter has faced a lot of resistance since its announcement. From the get-go, fans of the original were upset over the perception that Valve would be abandoning their existing playerbase just to chase cash. Valve has worked hard to try and dispel that notion, by promising additional Left 4 Dead DLC down the road.
That isn't the only hardship they've faced, however, and yesterday the gaming community was shocked to learn that the Australian Classification Board blacklisted the upcoming game. Needless to say, Valve is upset about that decision. With a November 17 release date quickly approaching, there isn't a lot of time for them to begin hacking up a game that's probably receiving its final touches. They have officially responded to the blacklisting, saying with terse words that they are very disappointed about the move.
Without giving too much detail, the principle reason behind the ban was excessive violence. Anyone who has played Left 4 Dead (or any shooter for that matter) would likely scoff at that, as the gore aspect is a central focus. Does the Australian government expect Valve to begin retro-editing a title so close to release? Will Valve cave, or simply try to get the game re-classified?
That isn't the only hardship they've faced, however, and yesterday the gaming community was shocked to learn that the Australian Classification Board blacklisted the upcoming game. Needless to say, Valve is upset about that decision. With a November 17 release date quickly approaching, there isn't a lot of time for them to begin hacking up a game that's probably receiving its final touches. They have officially responded to the blacklisting, saying with terse words that they are very disappointed about the move.
Without giving too much detail, the principle reason behind the ban was excessive violence. Anyone who has played Left 4 Dead (or any shooter for that matter) would likely scoff at that, as the gore aspect is a central focus. Does the Australian government expect Valve to begin retro-editing a title so close to release? Will Valve cave, or simply try to get the game re-classified?
User Comments (50)
Post a comment| Wendig0 on September 18, 2009 3:35 PM | I'm surprised that Valve is surprised. This is what they
should expect from a primarily socialist government.
Australia already has a gun ban in place that has led to the
crime rate steadily rising, yet they won't admit it. Simply
said, the government feels they know what the people need
more than the people themselves. |
| lncpapa on September 18, 2009 4:16 PM | Isn't there a third option of just not doing anything? I wouldn't until after I was finished polishing my original product - then, as time and resources permit, make the changes necessary to get it passed. |
| BlindObject on September 18, 2009 4:18 PM | Sucks for Australia. |
| Guest on September 18, 2009 4:33 PM | Seriously be happy they are making a second one. I understand they are makin it early, but its because it was a major success. Stop your complaining, be happy they want to make a second one. SERIOUSLY.... STOP complaining play on the new multiplayer they offer..... |
| Brewskie on September 18, 2009 6:58 PM | If I were Gabe Newell I would strip the game down to 2d sprites, 8bit color and tell the Aussies that they can thank their government for destroying free trade and dictating what the People can see and hear. |
| csw05 on September 18, 2009 7:46 PM | Wendig0 said: Wow Wendig0 you have made my day
with that comment. A primarily socialist government you say.
Thats a laugh. Oh that gun ban? Thing is i dont turn on the
evening news and see another school shooting here in Oz.
People who want the game will find ways to get it. Its that
simple.
I'm surprised that Valve is surprised. This is what they should expect from a primarily socialist government. Australia already has a gun ban in place that has led to the crime rate steadily rising, yet they won't admit it. Simply said, the government feels they know what the people need more than the people themselves. |
| mattfrompa on September 18, 2009 8:35 PM | I wonder if this could be solved by some kind of ballet screen...quick, get me Steve Ballmer! |
| Guest on September 18, 2009 8:48 PM | no you just see some psycho starting fires killing 220 people or so. Yeah that's not deadly at all. 'Oz' is much better off without weapons for everyone as a right. Too bad for the natives too, huh, only whitie had guns. Blind blabbering fool. |
| tengeta on September 18, 2009 9:08 PM | Not too long before you see in game options a choice of
"Australia Mode". Just my guess. |
| TBolt on September 18, 2009 9:09 PM | Heh...Valve sure is taking it on the chin with this "new"
title. They probably wouldn't have squawked so much if it
hadn't already been drug through the mud by the boycott
community. Now, Austrailia's ban will dig even more into
the already / potentially lost profits. See what greed gets
you? Not to totally derail this thread, but I'd actually like to hear from Aussie's and their thoughts on their gun ban...maybe for another thread.  BTW... ...People who
want the game will find ways to get it. Its that
simple. And criminals who want guns will find ways to
get them. To bad for the innocent, unarmed victims.
|
| Guest on September 18, 2009 9:23 PM | Valve should be thankful for the free advertising. The general reason people buy FPS games is for violent fast paced action. Australia's government just told all potential customers that this game shouldn't disappoint people interested in that. |
| LNCPapa on September 18, 2009 9:46 PM | Yeah, except now they can't buy it legally and are forced to pirate it giving no props to the developers. |
| Guest on September 18, 2009 11:06 PM | Am I the only one thinking, "**** Australia. Stop releasing games there and see how long it takes for their government to crumble under the whines of the people"? |
| captain828 on September 19, 2009 1:52 AM | What I really don't get is how come the original L4D ISN'T
banned as well?! The gory effects are 100% identical to
L4D2! About the ban itself, it's mostly because there is no "18+" rating for games in Aussieland, with the highest being "MA15+" if I remember well. |
| Wendig0 on September 19, 2009 3:06 AM | csw05 said: Ah, yet you fail to
acknowledge the fact that armed home invasions have steadily
risen, along with armed robberies, since the gun ban was
imposed. Only the law abiding citizens gave up their guns,
the criminals did not. I'm not going to turn this into a
political debate any more than I already have, so I'll just
say this - check your facts. I've lived in Australia too.
Melbourne for 3 1/2 years on the job.
Wendig0 said: Wow Wendig0 you have
made my day with that comment. A primarily socialist
government you say. Thats a laugh. Oh that gun ban? Thing is
i dont turn on the evening news and see another school
shooting here in Oz. People who want the game will find ways
to get it. Its that simple. I'm surprised that Valve is surprised. This is what they should expect from a primarily socialist government. Australia already has a gun ban in place that has led to the crime rate steadily rising, yet they won't admit it. Simply said, the government feels they know what the people need more than the people themselves. |
| Guest on September 19, 2009 1:28 PM | No-one cares about gun control either way except for horrid middle class busybodies and deranged hillbillies. This is about censorship, and the political right are just as bad - if not moreso - than the left when it comes to that. |
| Guest on September 19, 2009 7:53 PM | The Australian gun ban is just an extension of the British
gun ban. When my wife came to the states she said it was
like a twilight zone moment, as everyone was so friendly and
polite, I said yes dear, we still have our guns, and guns
always make for a polite society. As to valve whining about
the ban, grow up you sooks... its a violent and graphically
overdone game. This is the results of over a decade of
violent television, funny that sex is bad for tv but murder
is ok, whereas without sex we would not be here. So, this is
the pinnacle of our evolution, where natural biological
functions are the great taboo but defilement of the rights
of individuals through acts of violence are the grail for
those seeking profits. PAX, aZoth |
| Guest on September 20, 2009 1:22 AM | Tengeta, shhhh... Don't say it too loudly. Somebody might hear you and make it so. |
| Classic Rock on September 20, 2009 1:38 AM | Concerning the debate over the "Gun Ban" in Australia, I
would just like to say that I live in Aus, and personally I
think it's a great thing. Sure I love my guns (Yes, I do
have guns - and legally too, despite being just a
civillian). The "Gun Ban" only affect assault rifles and
other similar automatic weapons that, in my oppinion, the
everyday civillian shouldn't have anyway. There is just no need for us to have Assault Rifles or SMG's, at all. Seriously, some of the guns you Americans own is...overkill. |
| Guest on September 20, 2009 3:46 AM | Wendig0 said: I'm surprised that Valve is surprised. This is what they should expect from a primarily socialist government.> Australia already has a gun ban in place that has led to the crime rate steadily rising, yet they won't admit it.< Simply said, the government feels they know what the people need more than the people themselves. Australia already has a gun ban in place that has led to the crime rate steadily rising, yet they won't admit it........... WOW....what the ****.... ever seen bowling for columbine... keep idiots like this away from parliament..... Cuz australia has to much crime right? We should give people guns cuz killings cool.... /sarcasm off. Taylor |
| Guest on September 20, 2009 4:05 AM | Seriously, some of the guns you
Americans own is...overkill. You mean the ones that
are illegal under the US Assault Weapon Ban? Even with our
reputation for toting AK's in the South and gangsters
wielding Uzi's from LA, most people in the US stick with
legally available guns. >_>I think that any game should be allowed to be released without a rating like movies i.e. "Not rated", not banned simply because of its content; that's pure censorship, and a violation of basic civil rights. A hard loss for Valve since Aussie's wanting to play the game will have to pirate it. |
| Guest on September 20, 2009 6:30 AM | Hey, I live in Australia and I am very disappointed with the ban, but I can't see why every American is bagging my country and our government. And did someone say that Australia has a large crime rate? Well im sorry to say citizens of America, but you have one of the most dangerous, crime commiting countries. I mean im not saying I like the ban, but i can understand why they banned it. Because they dont want young kids seeing needless, relentless violence. So, to all the Aussie baggers, I say '**** YOU!' Thank you |
| Guest on September 20, 2009 8:40 AM | No, **** you, you anti-antiaustralian. |
| Guest on September 20, 2009 10:40 AM | wait, a WHOLE three and a half years? With that experience
in our fine country I see no reason to doubt your judgment.
Of course, I suggest you do a little research (maybe start
at Snopes,
http://www.snopes.com/crime/statistics/ausguns.asp) and you
might see why we previously disagreed with you. As for the ban on L4D2, I'm really not that surprised. There have been a good handful of games that have been banned. One day, I'm sure, we'll see higher classifications instated, but for now, we'll just have to buy our 'illegal' games from the US, or Europe, and hope customs doesn't take a look. |
| Wendig0 on September 20, 2009 2:12 PM | Guest said: Guess you didn't get the memo. The Assault
Weapons Ban that you speak of has been non-existant for
years. The ban was lifted in 2004.Seriously, some
of the guns you Americans own is...overkill. You mean
the ones that are illegal under the US Assault Weapon
Ban? For those of you that support gun control, here's a thought for you to chew on. Legislation was introduced back in the early 80's in Kennesaw, Georgia, that required the "Head of Household" to own at least one firearm with ammunition in order to deter crime. The plan worked, and Kennesaw still to this day has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. As of 2007, Kennesaw remained murder free for 25 years. I'm sure they still are. Sorry, but your "Bowling for Columbine" argument doesn't hold water. There's an old saying, "Guns don't kill people. People kill people." I believe it's the truth. Video games don't make people violent either. |
