Leslie Massey
The survival horror game Outlast 2 faced a ban in Australia in 2017 when it was refused classification by the Australian Classification Board. The game's developer, Red Barrels, submitted a copy that included a reference video featuring content that had been changed or removed from the final version. The game was deemed to include scenes of implied sexual violence and assault, which led to the decision to refuse classification. This effectively banned the game from being sold in Australia as it was deemed unsuitable for adults. However, following criticism from a New South Wales senator, the decision was reversed, and the game was given an R18+ rating.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Game | Outlast 2 |
| Game Developer | Red Barrels |
| Game Genre | Survival horror |
| Game Rating | R18+ |
| Game Release Date | April 25, 2017 |
| Game Release Platforms | PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 |
| Banned in | Australia |
| Reason for Ban | Implied sexual violence |
| Ban Status | Reversed |
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What You'll Learn
Outlast 2 refused classification in Australia
The survival horror game Outlast 2 was refused classification in Australia in 2017. The game was developed by Red Barrels and was scheduled to be released on 25 April 2017. However, the Australian Classification Board (ACB) denied it a rating certification, effectively banning the game from being sold in the country.
The ACB's decision was based on the game's content, which was deemed unsuitable for sale. Specifically, the Board cited that the game "depict [ed], express [ed], or otherwise deal [t] with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence, or revolting or abhorrent phenomena" in a manner that offended "against the standards of morality, decency, and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults". The game's implied sexual violence and assault were identified as the primary reasons for the refusal of classification.
The refusal of classification sparked controversy, as the Outlast 2 demo had previously received an R18+ rating in Australia. This indicated that the full game's content exceeded the boundaries of the R18+ rating, which is the second-highest rating in Australia. The R18+ rating in Australia has only been in existence since 2013, with the previous highest rating being MA+15.
Following the initial refusal of classification, Red Barrels resubmitted a modified version of Outlast 2. This version excluded the controversial scene that led to the game's initial ban. The modified game was approved for release in Australia with an R18+ rating. This decision was influenced by statements from Red Barrels, clarifying that the original submission included content from an alpha version of the game that was not intended for the final release.
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Implied sexual violence in Outlast 2
The survival horror game Outlast 2 by Red Barrels courted controversy in Australia in 2017 due to a scene with implied sexual violence. The game was initially refused classification by the Australian Classification Board, which effectively banned its sale in the country. The Classification Board found that the game depicted "matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena" in a manner that offended "against the standards of morality, decency, and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults".
The scene in question involved a nightmare-like sequence with a demonic orgy. The player character, Blake, sees his wife chained up as part of a sacrificial ritual. Blake is subdued by one of the creatures, and it is implied that he is sexually assaulted. The scene is described in detail by Eurogamer:
> "As Blake yells for the creatures to 'Get away from her!', a female creature, her greyish breasts bared, pushes him onto his back, holds his arms to the ground and repeatedly thrusts her crotch against him. As Blake protests, saying 'No! Stop that!', the creature thrusts again, before placing its face over his midsection and then sitting up and wiping its mouth. Although much of the contact between the creature and Blake is obscured, by it taking place below the screen, the sexualised surroundings and aggressive behaviour of the creature suggest that it is an assault which is sexual in nature."
This scene was removed from the final version of the game, and Outlast 2 was eventually given an R18+ rating in Australia. The controversy sparked discussions about the inconsistent ratings and constant censorship of video games by the Australian Classification Board.
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Outlast 2 demo received an R18+ rating
The Outlast series is known for its first-person psychological and survival horror gameplay. The second instalment, Outlast 2, continues the found footage characteristics of its predecessor, with the addition of new settings and characters.
Outlast 2's demo received an R18+ rating in Australia. However, the full game was initially refused classification by the Australian Classification Board due to its graphic content. This decision effectively banned the game from being sold in the country, as games without a rating cannot be sold at retail outlets in Australia.
The controversy centred around a particular scene that depicted implied sexual violence and assault. In the scene, the player's character is forced into a hallucination, witnessing a demonic orgy and ritual sacrifice while being implied to be sexually assaulted. This content was deemed to offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults.
Following the initial refusal of classification, Red Barrels, the developer of Outlast 2, resubmitted the game for review. They clarified that the original submission had included a video file from an alpha version of the game that was not intended for the final release. After this review, the Australian Classification Board reversed its decision and granted Outlast 2 an R18+ rating, allowing the game to be sold in Australia.
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Australian Classification Board's decision
The Australian Classification Board's decision to refuse classification to Outlast 2 was based on the game's content, which was deemed unsuitable for sale in the country. The game was refused classification under the Games 1(a) ruling, which applies to games that "depict, express or otherwise deal with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena in such a way that they offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults".
The specific reason for the refusal was the depiction of implied sexual violence in the game. The Board's decision mentioned multiple scenes where sexual violence was implied, even though it was clear that the main character, Blake, was hallucinating. One particular scene showed a female creature thrusting against Blake while his wife was tied up in chains. This scene was considered the tipping point for the Board's decision, and it was similar to scenes in the original Outlast game that involved necrophilia.
The decision to refuse classification to Outlast 2 sparked controversy, especially since the demo for the game had received an R18+ rating, indicating that the full game went too far for the Classification Board's moderators. The refusal of classification effectively banned the game from being sold in Australia, as the Australian Classification Board is a government agency, and retailers cannot sell games without a rating.
However, it is important to note that the decision to refuse classification was eventually reversed. Red Barrels, the developer of Outlast 2, resubmitted the game with amendments, and it was approved for release with an R18+ rating. This decision came after criticism from New South Wales Senator David Leyonhjelm, who called out the Board for their inconsistent ratings and censorship of video games.
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Outlast 2 banned in other countries
The survival horror game Outlast 2 by Red Barrels faced a ban in Australia in 2017 due to its graphic content. The game was refused classification by the Australian Classification Board, which deemed it unsuitable for sale in the country. The game was later approved for release with an R18+ rating after the developers removed a scene that involved implied sexual violence and necrophilia.
While Outlast 2 was temporarily banned in Australia, there is no evidence of it being banned in other countries. However, game bans are common across the world, with titles such as Dead Rising 3, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, and Medal of Honor: Warfighter being prohibited in Germany, Pakistan, and Singapore.
Germany's gaming police place heavy restrictions on games that involve killing human or "human-like" enemies, which led to the ban of Dead Rising 3. Similarly, Pakistan banned Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Medal of Honor: Warfighter as these games "show the country in a very poor light," with their content equating Pakistan with terrorism.
Singapore once banned Mass Effect due to its sexual content, but the ban was quickly lifted when the nation adopted a movie rating system for games, allowing an M18 rating for the title. In Saudi Arabia, while strict content restrictions and fines are in place for banned titles, many gamers still find ways to access prohibited games.
While Outlast 2 faced a temporary ban in Australia, the developers' willingness to modify the game ensured its release. The game's approval with an R18+ rating in Australia and the lack of reports on bans in other countries suggest that the issue was addressed to meet the standards of various regions.
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Frequently asked questions
Outlast 2 was refused classification in Australia, effectively banning it from being sold in the country. The game was refused classification due to its depiction of implied sexual violence.
Outlast 2 is a survival horror game developed by Red Barrels. The game involves the main character, Blake, who is confronted by creatures that perform implied sexual acts.
Yes, the ban on Outlast 2 in Australia was lifted after the developers removed the controversial scene involving implied sexual violence. The game was then given an R18+ rating and released worldwide.
