Leslie Massey
The zombie-survival game State of Decay was banned in Australia in 2013. The game was refused classification by the Australian Classification Board (ACB) because it contains illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards. The in-game medications consist of both legal and illicit substances, including methadone, morphine, amphetamines, stimulants, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, codeine, aspirin, 'trucker pills', painkillers, and tussin. The ACB's decision to refuse classification means that the game is banned from being sold in Australia and any copies found at the border will be seized.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for ban | Contains "illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards" |
| Substances included | Methadone, morphine, amphetamines, stimulants, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, codeine, aspirin, 'trucker pills', painkillers, and tussin |
| Classification | Refused classification by the Australian Classification Board (ACB) |
| Availability | Banned for sale, hire or public exhibition |
| Fines | Up to $110,000 AUD in fines for importing copies |
| Jail | Maximum of 10 years in jail for making available |
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What You'll Learn
- State of Decay was refused classification by the Australian Classification Board (ACB)
- The game contains both legal and illicit in-game medications
- The player's character can self-administer proscribed drugs to aid in gameplay progression
- The game was banned from sale, hire, or public exhibition in Australia
- Microsoft agreed with the Australian Classification Board's decision
State of Decay was refused classification by the Australian Classification Board (ACB)
The Australian Classification Board's decision report states that "the game enables the player's character to self-administer proscribed drugs which aid in gameplay progression". This is in reference to the player's ability to increase their in-game abilities by consuming drugs, which are depicted as pills in a bottle, with the sound of rattling pills accompanying the action. The player is also shown the name of the drug onscreen, along with its icon.
The ACB's decision to refuse classification to State of Decay means that the game is effectively banned from being sold in Australia. Any copies of the game found at the Australian border will be seized, and the recipient may face fines of up to A$110,000. It is, however, legal to possess the game, except in Western Australia and prescribed areas of the Northern Territory.
State of Decay is a zombie-survival game created by Undead Labs for the Xbox 360 and PC. It was released in most territories in June 2013 but was awaiting classification in Australia. The game has sold over 500,000 copies on Xbox Live Arcade since its release in North America.
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The game contains both legal and illicit in-game medications
State of Decay is a zombie-survival game developed by Undead Labs. It was refused classification in Australia in 2013, making it illegal to sell, hire, or publicly exhibit the game. The Australian Classification Board's decision was based on the game's inclusion of "illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards."
The Australian Classification Board's decision report states that "the game enables the player's character to self-administer proscribed drugs which aid in gameplay progression." This means that the player is incentivized to use drugs to enhance their performance in the game. The report also describes how the drug use is depicted in the game, with the player shown moving a pill bottle towards their mouth, accompanied by the sound of pills rattling. The name of the drug and its icon also appear onscreen during this action.
The inclusion of drug use related to incentives or rewards is contrary to the Australian Classification Board's guidelines. The game's refusal of classification means that it is banned from sale in Australia and cannot be imported into the country. It is, however, legal to possess the game, except in Western Australia and prescribed areas of the Northern Territory.
The decision to refuse classification to State of Decay sparked discussions about the Australian classification system and its impact on the gaming industry. Some people argued that the ban was unnecessary, especially compared to the violence depicted in other forms of media. Others pointed out the potential loss of revenue for the domestic market as gamers might turn to importing games instead.
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The player's character can self-administer proscribed drugs to aid in gameplay progression
State of Decay, a zombie-survival game, was refused classification in Australia in 2013. The game was banned from sale in the country and on Xbox Live Arcade in Australia. The Australian Classification Board ruled that the game was refused classification on the grounds that it contains "illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards".
The game features in-game medications that include both legal and illicit substances, such as "methadone, morphine, amphetamines, stimulants, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, codeine, aspirin, 'trucker pills', painkillers, and tussin". The player's character can self-administer these drugs to aid in gameplay progression. For example, when administering drugs, the player is depicted moving a pill bottle toward their mouth, and the sound of pills rattling in the bottle can be heard. The consumption of these drugs instantly increases the player's in-game abilities, making it easier to progress through the game.
The Australian Classification Board's decision to refuse classification to State of Decay highlights the country's strict regulations regarding the depiction of drug use in video games. Games that are refused classification by the ACB are banned for sale, hire, or public exhibition and can carry significant fines and penalties for those who violate these restrictions. The ACB's role is to ensure that Australians can only access age-appropriate games and content, and its classification system plays a crucial role in achieving this goal.
The refusal of classification for State of Decay due to the inclusion of proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards has sparked discussions among gamers and developers. Some have expressed disappointment that Australians will miss out on playing certain games due to these restrictions. It is worth noting that the game's developer, Undead Labs, initially announced the news of the ban on the game's official forums.
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The game was banned from sale, hire, or public exhibition in Australia
The zombie-survival game State of Decay was refused classification in Australia in 2013, making it illegal for the game to be sold, hired out, or publicly exhibited in the country. The Australian Classification Board (ACB) ruled that the game was refused classification on the grounds that it contains "illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards".
State of Decay's in-game medications consist of both legal and illicit substances, including "methadone, morphine, amphetamines, stimulants, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, codeine, aspirin, 'trucker pills', painkillers, and tussin". The board's decision report states that "the game enables the player's character to self-administer proscribed drugs which aid in gameplay progression".
The ACB is responsible for reviewing all media intended for retail display in Australia, including films and video games. A work deemed too inappropriate by the ACB may be Refused Classification (RC), banning it from being sold at retail and placing it on the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service list of prohibited items. Copies of such works found at the border will be seized, and the importer may receive fines of up to A$110,000.
State of Decay was the second game to be banned from sale in Australia in the week of its classification refusal, following Saints Row IV.
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Microsoft agreed with the Australian Classification Board's decision
The Australian Classification Board ruled that State of Decay was refused classification on the grounds that it contains "illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards". The game's in-game medications consist of both legal and illicit substances, including methadone, morphine, amphetamines, stimulants, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, codeine, aspirin, 'trucker pills', painkillers, and tussin. The board's decision report states that the game enables the player's character to self-administer proscribed drugs, which aid in gameplay progression.
Under Australian law, all media intended for retail display must be reviewed by the ACB. A work deemed too inappropriate by the board may be refused classification, banning it from being sold in Australia and placing it on the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service list of prohibited items. Any copies of such works found at the border will be seized, and the importer may receive up to A$110,000 in fines.
The Australian Classification system plays an important role in ensuring that Australians can only access age-appropriate games and content. Microsoft's agreement with the ACB's decision highlights the company's commitment to complying with local laws and ensuring that its products are suitable for their intended audiences.
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Frequently asked questions
State of Decay was refused classification by the Australian Classification Board (ACB) because it contains "illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards".
The in-game medications consist of both legal and illicit substances, including "methadone, morphine, amphetamines, stimulants, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, codeine, aspirin, 'trucker pills', painkillers, and tussin".
The player's character can self-administer proscribed drugs, which boost their in-game abilities and aid in gameplay progression.
The ACB is a government body that reviews all media intended for retail display in Australia, such as films and video games. If a work is deemed too inappropriate, it may be Refused Classification (RC), banning it from being sold in the country.
Selling or importing banned games in Australia can result in fines of up to A$110,000 and the seizure of the prohibited items by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.
