FEAR 2 - We submitted the exact same version
News from Yug - Tuesday, 06 January 2009 @ 7:57am
Remember when F.E.A.R. 2 Project Origin was refused classification in Australia a few months back?
Apparently the reasons for it being refused by the Classifications Board were as follows:
and
The Board considers that the cumulative effect of this type of violence is high and as such cannot be accommodated at the MA15+ classification and the game must therefore be refused classification.
Not to be deterred, Warner Bros. submitted the game for appeal to the Classification REVIEW Board ... important to note the distinction here, the Classification Board and the Classification Review Board are two seperate entities. The appeal is as follows (original media release here):
Classification Review Board
27 November 2008
MEDIA RELEASE
Review announced for the computer game F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
The Classification Review Board has received an application to review the classification of the computer game F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin.
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin was classified RC (Refused Classification) by the Classification Board on 26 November 2008. Computer games classified RC cannot be legally sold, hired, advertised or demonstrated in Australia.
The Classification Review Board will meet on Monday 15 December 2008 to consider the application.
The Classification Review Board’s decision and reasons for its decision will appear on the Classification website once the review has been finalised.
The Classification Review Board is an independent merits review body. Meeting in camera, it makes a fresh classification decision upon receipt of an application for review. The Classification Review Board decision takes the place of the original decision made by the Classification Board. Media contact Media Enquiries Officer 02 9289 7100
Two weeks later the Classification Reivew Board puts forward their decision to overturn the original decision made by the Classification Board (original media release here):
Classification Review Board
15 December 2008
MEDIA RELEASE
F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin classified MA 15+ upon review
A 4-member panel of the Classification Review Board convened today to review the RC (Refused Classification) classification given to the computer game F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin.
The Classification Review Board has determined, in a unanimous decision, that F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin warrants an MA 15+ (Mature Accompanied) classification with the consumer advice ‘Strong violence, blood and gore. Moderate coarse language’.
“After considering extensive submissions and demonstrations of game play across all levels, the Review Board concluded that the level of violence in the computer game, whilst strong, could be accommodated within the MA 15+ classification”, acting Classification Review Board Convenor, Trevor Griffin said.
Computer games classified MA 15+ are not suitable for persons under 15 years of age. MA 15+ computer games are legally restricted.
The Classification Review Board convened today in response to an application received from Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment to review the decision made by the Classification Board on 26 November 2008 to classify the computer game RC.
In reviewing the classification, the Classification Review Board worked within the framework of the National Classification Scheme, applying the provisions of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995, the National Classification Code and the Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games.
The Classification Review Board is an independent merits review body. Meeting in camera, it makes a fresh classification decision upon receipt of an application for review. This Classification Review Board decision takes the place of the original decision made by the Classification Board.
The Classification Review Board’s reasons for this decision will appear on the Classification website when finalised.
That reason hasn't gone up online yet, but it will be an interesting read when it does. Personally this was a great opportunity to revisit the process of submission for this particular game, but the most important thing to note, that I didn't quite consider, is that it was the SAME GAME that was originally submitted that's being released here in Australia. A quote from Warner Bros.'s Mark Aubrey says:
"We submitted the exact same version to the Classification Review Board that was originally put forward for classification. I'd like to make it clear that we have always felt F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin was a MA15+ title in the Australian market. The [Review Board] allowed us to go into the game in a lot more detail."
Food for thought ... the only thing that was different between the the two seperate submission processes was the people. Usually I'll actually defend the Classification Board considering they have no choice but to follow the rules set upon them by the Attorney Generals. This though, goes a long way to show how 'subjective' their opinions actually are.
Thanks to Chris Keeley for the heads up!
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