Leslie Massey
Saints Row IV, an irreverent, open-world game, was banned in Australia in 2013 for exceeding the newly introduced R18+ rating guidelines. The game was refused classification due to its implied sexual violence and drug use related to player incentives, making it illegal to sell, possess, or exhibit in the country. This decision sparked debates about Australia's conservative censorship regime and the effectiveness of its classification system.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ban | June 25, 2013 |
| Reason for ban | implied sexual violence and drug use |
| Classification | Refused Classification (RC) |
| Sale | Banned for sale, hire or public exhibition in Australia |
| Possession | Illegal to possess in Western Australia and some parts of the Northern Territory |
| Version | First game to be banned under the new Guidelines for the Classification of Computer Games |
| Developer's response | Working to create an Australia-specific version of the game |
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What You'll Learn
Saints Row IV banned in Australia for implied sexual violence
Saints Row IV has been refused classification and effectively banned in Australia due to its depictions of implied sexual violence and drug use. The game was refused the maximum R18+ rating, which restricts sale to anyone under the age of 18, as it was deemed to include interactive and visual depictions of sexual violence that were not justified by context. The Australian Classification Board's acting director, Donald McDonald, stated that the game "includes interactive, visual depictions of implied sexual violence which are not justified by context" and that it also contains elements of illicit drug use related to incentives or rewards. Such content is prohibited under the guidelines for the classification of computer games that came into effect on January 1, 2013.
The ban on Saints Row IV highlights the conservative nature of Australian media classification and censorship. Australia has a history of banning or heavily censoring films and video games that are considered inappropriate for certain age groups. The introduction of the R18+ rating for video games in 2013 was a long-awaited development, but Saints Row IV is the first game to exceed what is permissible under this rating. This has led to criticism and discussions about the conservative nature of Australian classification systems and the need for widespread reform.
The developer of Saints Row IV, Volition, has responded to the ban by working on an Australia-specific version of the game. This version will remove the offensive content while retaining the outlandish gameplay that the series is known for. While the game has been banned from sale, hire, or public exhibition in Australia, it is still available in other regions, including North America and the EU, where it has been released for various platforms, including Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.
The refusal of classification for Saints Row IV in Australia due to implied sexual violence and drug use has sparked discussions about the role of censorship and the conservative nature of Australian media classification. The game's developer is working on an edited version for the Australian market, but the incident has also brought attention to the ongoing debates surrounding cultural acceptance of video games and the need for reform in classification systems.
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Drug use and player incentives
The open-world action-adventure video game Saints Row IV was released in 2013 and quickly gained attention for its over-the-top humour and wild gameplay. However, its content also sparked controversy, leading to its ban in Australia. One of the main factors contributing to this ban was the game's depiction of drug use and the incentives provided to players for engaging in such activities.
Drug use is a prominent element in Saints Row IV, with various substances available to the player character. These include fictional drugs like the alien substance "Alien Spice," which is depicted as a powerful and addictive drug that provides temporary enhanced abilities but also has detrimental effects on health and mental state. While the game does not glorify drug use, it does provide incentives for players to experiment with these substances as a means to enhance their in-game performance and gain an advantage.
One of the main incentives for drug use in Saints Row IV is the boost in abilities that they provide. For example, certain drugs might increase the player character's strength, speed, or perception for a limited time, making them more powerful in combat or easier to evade enemies. This can be particularly appealing to players who want to approach the game with a more aggressive or stealthy playstyle. Additionally, drugs might offer temporary buffs to certain skills, such as improving hacking abilities or providing resistance to damage, further encouraging players to experiment with substance use to discover the most effective combinations for their preferred style of play.
The game also includes elements of addiction and negative consequences, mirroring real-life drug use. Prolonged or excessive drug use in Saints Row IV can lead to negative status effects, such as impaired vision, reduced health, or unpredictable behaviour by the player character. These detrimental effects serve as a risk factor that players must consider when deciding whether or not to use drugs. Additionally, the game might present players with opportunities to procure larger quantities of drugs at a lower cost, simulating the allure of bulk purchases and the potential for addiction or detrimental health effects that come with prolonged substance abuse.
Despite these incentives and depictions of drug use, Saints Row IV does not promote or encourage dangerous or illegal behaviour outside of the game. The developers likely intended to provide players with a sense of freedom and agency, allowing them to make their own choices and face the consequences within the fictional world. The inclusion of negative consequences alongside the performance-enhancing effects adds a layer of realism and awareness to the game's portrayal of drug use, even within the context of its over-the-top and often humorous narrative.
In conclusion, the drug use and player incentives in Saints Row IV contributed to the game's controversial reputation and its ban in Australia. While the game offers players performance-enhancing incentives for experimenting with fictional drugs, it also presents a balanced view by including negative consequences and the potential for addiction. Saints Row IV serves as an example of how video games can explore sensitive topics, sparking discussions about the impact of interactive media on players' perceptions and behaviours.
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Refused classification status
Saints Row IV has been refused classification in Australia, making it the first game to be banned under the new Guidelines for the Classification of Computer Games that commenced on January 1, 2013. The game was refused the maximum R18+ rating due to its implied sexual violence and drug use related to player incentives, according to a statement issued by the Australian Classification Board's acting director, Donald McDonald.
The refused classification status of Saints Row IV effectively bans it from sale, hire, or public exhibition in Australia and makes it illegal to possess in Western Australia and some parts of the Northern Territory. The game was slated for release on August 22, 2013, for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.
The Australian Classification Board's decision to refuse classification to Saints Row IV highlights the conservative nature of the country's media classification system. Australia has a long history of banning video games, and the introduction of the R18+ rating in 2013 was meant to address this. However, Saints Row IV is the first game to exceed what is permissible under this rating, indicating that the classification system remains conservative.
In response to the refused classification, Saints Row IV developer Volition announced plans to create an Australia-specific version of the game by "removing the content which could cause offence without reducing the outlandish gameplay." This modified version of the game would comply with Australia's classification guidelines and be legally sold in the country.
The refused classification of Saints Row IV in Australia has sparked discussions about the country's conservative censorship regime and the need for widespread reform of its disjointed classification system. While some argue that the classification system is functioning as it should, others view the ban of Saints Row IV as emblematic of a broader cultural conservatism in Australia.
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Australia's conservative censorship regime
Australia has a long history of censorship, with book censorship existing in the country since the 19th century. The Commonwealth Book Censorship Board was established in 1933, and the first book to be banned from import into Australia was Norman Lindsay's Redheap in 1930. The novel Upsurge, written by J. M. Harcourt and published in 1934, became the first Australian book to be officially banned under the guidelines of the Commonwealth Book Censorship Board.
In the early 1970s, the federal Minister of Customs and Excise, Don Chipp, largely ended censorship of printed material in Australia. However, concerns about censorship in the country persist, particularly in the areas of academic freedom, film and literature classification, and video games.
In recent years, Australia has introduced an R18+ rating for video games, which restricts the sale of games to adults only. Saints Row IV became the first game to be refused classification and effectively banned from sale in Australia under this new rating system due to its implied sexual violence and drug use related to player incentive.
The Australian government has also been criticised for enacting sweeping political censorship laws that some argue are an attempt to prevent the inevitable mass anti-war movement that will arise. These laws include banning access to social media for teenagers up to the age of 16 and imposing jail terms for circulating certain types of information.
Additionally, there is a growing culture of "cancel culture" in Australia, where individuals are censored or "cancelled" for expressing conservative views. This includes tactics such as pressuring employers to fire employees with conservative views and denying conservatives a platform to express their opinions.
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Saints Row IV's developer Volition's response
Saints Row IV developer Volition responded to the ban by stating that they were “still planning on releasing Saints Row 4 in Australia”. They also mentioned that they were in the process of making changes to the game's Australian version, specifically by “removing the content which could cause offence without reducing the outlandish gameplay”. Volition's publisher, Deep Silver, referred to this as "reworking some of the code" to address the concerns of the Australian Classification Board (ACB).
Deep Silver also announced that they would continue to take pre-orders for the game under a new "Low Violence Version" label. This version would exclude the "Alien Anal Probe" weapon, which was cited as a reason for the game's initial ban in Australia due to its implication of sexual violence.
Volition's response aimed to strike a balance between complying with local regulations and preserving the essence of the Saints Row series, known for its outlandish and over-the-top gameplay. They intended to protect the experience that Saints Row fans know and love while adapting the game to meet the standards set by the ACB.
The developer's willingness to create an Australia-specific version of the game demonstrated their commitment to making Saints Row IV accessible to players in the region while navigating the challenges posed by content regulation and cultural sensitivities.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Saints Row IV has been refused classification and banned from sale in Australia.
Saints Row IV was refused the maximum R18+ rating due to implied sexual violence and drug use related to player incentives.
Games that are refused classification are banned for sale, hire, or public exhibition in Australia. They are also illegal to possess in Western Australia and some parts of the Northern Territory.
I cannot find information on Saints Row IV being banned in other countries besides Australia.
In Saints Row IV, the leader of the Third Street Saints gang has become the President of the United States and must rescue the previous president from aliens. The player will have superpowers to help take down the new regime.
