In a statement released this morning by Rebellion's Jason Kingsley, concerning the Australian Classification Board's so-called "ban" of Rebellion's Aliens vs. Predator game, the CEO expressed his studio's disappointment with the board's ruling, but added, "as we understand the law in that country the authorities had no choice as we agree strongly that our game is not suitable for game players who are not adults."
The subtle swipe at the Australian ratings system, which tops out at an MA15+ classification, turned into a full-on blow as Kingsley concluded, "We will not be releasing a sanitized or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices."
Ouch! You feel that too, Germany? "It is for adults," Kingsley insisted of AvP, "and it is bloody and frightening, that was our intent." Clearly, that's why PEGI assigned an 18-rating. Check out the box art for the territories that will release the game -- for adults -- beginning in February 2010:
You've got to feel for The Saboteur. Sean Devlin's one-man war against the Nazi party would have been a fine way to while away the summer hours, but here at the end of a holiday season -- filled with wonderful games -- it's tough to leave it thinking about anything other than its squandered potential.
It's a solid open-world action title, but it's one that hits just enough amazing, explosive crescendos to leave you wishing you could have seen it in an alternate reality, where developer Pandemic hadn't been shuttered and was able to give its swan song just a few more months of polish.
It may not have acid blood or infrared vision, but the Australian Classification Board has won its battle against Rebellion's upcoming Aliens vs. Predator game. "The game contains first-person perspective, close-up depictions of human characters being subjected to various types of violence, including explicit decapitation and dismemberment as well as locational damage such as stabbing through the chest, mouth, throat, or eyes," the board reports. Apparently, the game's excessive gore and violence exceeds the requirements for a MA15+ rating. Without an option for an R18+ rating, Aliens vs. Predator becomes the latest title to join the ever-growing list of essentially "banned" games in the territory.
Sega is left with two options should it want to pursue an Australian release: Attempt an appeal with the board, or censor the game's content to meet Australian standards. Should AvP follow in the footsteps of the edited Left 4 Dead 2, Australian gamers should get ready to be disappointed yet again.Update: Rebellion responds, noting that an edited version will not be released in Australia. "We will not be releasing a sanitized or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices." Oh, snap!
Last year's free Xbox Live Arcade game from the Unlock Xbox contest, Dash of Destruction, may not have been the best game we ever played, but it was certainly far from the worst. Also, it had that whole costing nothing thing going for it, so that helped our opinions considerably. This year, our chances of getting a fun game have doubled, with the contest's 1,500 competitors vying for two spots rather than one.
The final eight contestants have been culled from the initial submissions (listed after the break), and are now available to be voted on over at the contest's website, ultimately determining three game ideas to be given final pitches at Microsoft. From there, we get two XBLA games full of Doritos' "bold, intense" branding -- and at the very least some free Achievements.
Click to grind into our gallery LTL Graphics is launching a line of removable, reusable wall decals featuring art from Smilebit's 2001 Xbox classic Jet Set Radio Future. Now you can be reminded that there hasn't been another Jet Set Radio game in years every time you look at your wall! The company and license were brought together by John Doffing, one of the original curators of the Into the Pixel exhibit.
The site features a wide selection of character art as well as posters and even a graffiti image or two, all available in the size of your choice -- up to 7 feet tall. Want to turn your office into a shrine to Inspector Hayashi? Or maybe have a horde of Poison Jam watching you eat dinner?
The company claims that the decals can be moved and replaced 100 times without damage to walls, so you can spend plenty of time deciding which room to adorn with Bis, Corn, and Yoyo. Preferably a room with speakers in it -- you'll want to play a continuous loop of Cibo Matto's "Birthday Cake" for effect.
How awesome is Mass Effect 2? Well, if BioWare Community Coordinator Chris Priestly is to be believed, it is about twice as awesome. "You cannot fit this much awesome on one disc," Priestly stated on the BioWare forums, after revealing the game content will span two discs.The necessity of two discs may mean a staggering amount of content for the RPG sequel -- the original was certainly no slouch in content. While some may lament the necessity of having to get up at least once during Mass Effect 2, Priestly promises that the disc swap happens at a dramatically appropriate point in the story. "Even though there is a disc swap, it occurs at a carefully planned place in the game (that does not interfere with gameplay) and is done once. You do not swap back and forth. 1 swap and then done."We're going to fathom a guess as to when the swap will occur: immediately after the "suicide mission" revealed in the game's initial teaser.[Thanks, Darth B.; Via Kotaku]
December 17th is Mega Man’s 22nd birthday. Looking pretty good for his age, I’d say! It seems that Capcom is going to hold some sort of broadcast event to celebrate 22 years of Mega Man, and Keiji Inafune is going to be involved. Once we get more details on this project, we’ll [...]
Four more user-submitted Red Steel 2 questions have been answered by Jason Vandenberghe, Creative Director on the project. Check out one response below, then click over for all the 3 other questions.
Q: Can you hit with the sword handle?
A: Yup. Well, actually, let me answer that as “sort of”. I think what you [...]
A piece of fan-art from Lar deSouza
That girl could kick Peach’s ass. I’m not sure she could take Daisy down, but I’d like to see her try! Thanks to August for the heads up.
Are you into that Facebook stuff? It seems to be all the rage right now! If so, you can click on over on the link below to become a fan of the official Facebook page of La-Mulana! I think I’ll sign myself up right now!
Some of this footage is old, but has been given a fresh coat a paint by showing you how to use the stylus. Nothing too major, and nothing I would really consider a spoiler…but watch at your own risk!
Ah, one of the most famous internet pictures when it comes to the world of video games. Believe it or not, this picture is so big that Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai has interviewed the gang for a ‘news’ piece.
Too bad Craig and Peer are the only originals involved in the interview. Where [...]
I can’t even talk about this story without bringing about the wrath of those that hate spoilers. All I can say is, this entire article is a giant spoiler. Do not click on if you don’t want to have the game ruined for you!
