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fallout 3


Australia is an island. And that's we way we want to stay according to Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus. Debus wades into the debate surrounding the modification, or non-modification of Fallout 3 to comply with the Australian Classifications Board. "In the board's view the game warrants an RC classification in accordance with item 1(a) of the computer games table of the National Classification Code," Debus said.

"As a general rule material that contains drug use related to incentives will be refused classification."

Okay, we already know that. And from this has sprung the argument that we need an R18-plus rating to allow such things for a discerning consumer audience. Now here is the clanger, the back-breaker that sinks syringes full of Syanide(tm) into the hearts of gamers world round. "The availability of an R18-plus classification would not necessarily have resulted in a different decision by the Classification Board." Et tu, Debus?

WIth Bethesda claiming that the Fallout 3 hitting the shelves shortly is the same version globally and was always intended to be, it seems that the grab for a wider audience will forever tame developers. If one country insists developers change a title including their definition of particularly unsavoury content, that decision will be made for gamers world-wide.

For anyone hoping that an R18-plus rating would make a difference, a review is currently underway. The only thing standing in the way of a policy change? The unanimous agreement from all state, territory and federal censorship ministers...


Thanks to computergame.com.au for the original story.
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fallout 3


There are some great things about Australia. Our beaches, appreciation of English humour and Jennifer Hawkins to name but a few. Then there is the Classifications board. The anti-Hawkins. I say this because all of the great work she has instigated to create the image of Australia overflowing with fantastic sights and beautiful people is about to be overshadowed by what is being called Fallout 3 - Australian Edition. This is the now infamous version of Fallout 3 that has to be created to cater for the Australian Classifications Boards willingness to ignore the fact that discerning adults play video games.
The reason why the world, who has so far really dug the Aussie way of life, is about to look at us in the same way they do Rusell Crowe is because Bethesda has decided that the Australian Edition will now be the Global Edition.

Bethesda vice president of PR and marketing Peter Hines has responded to questions about the decision by stating "We want to make sure folks understand that the Australian version of Fallout 3 is identical to both the UK and North American versions in every way, on every platform.”

He continued, “An issue was raised concerning references to real world, proscribed drugs in the game, and we subsequently removed those references and replaced them with fictional names. To avoid confusion among people in different territories, we decided to make those substitutions in all versions of the game, in all territories.”

Hines explained, “I didn't want people continuing to assume the version in Australia was some altered version when it's not.” Finally, he explained that, “There are no references to real world drugs in any version of Fallout 3.”

The reason for the universal version of Fallout 3 seems to be a reaction to the frustration experienced in having to create separate versions for various regions in the first place.

And even though the extent that the changes will change the gamplay (if at all) remains to be seen, you can be sure that Fallout fanboys (most of who wouldn't know the original if it were thrust into a compatible orifice) will create a maelstrom of flames pointed Down Under.
Let's pray that Jen comes out of this all unscathed.
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Guitar Hero World Tour


A few observant gamers have spotted a small, subtle piece of classic subnote text in an IGN article regarding the PS3 and Wii versions of Guitar Hero: World Tour.
The text goes something like "Online gameplay is only available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Wii and may require an additional subscription."

What kind of extra subscription could be required? This might give Xbox fans cause to celebrate if there is an additional cost to the other consoles, justifying the outlay each year to access XBL Gold. Activision are walking a strange and money covered road with this one, I would expect a statement from Activision very soon confirming or denying this one.

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Fallout 3 Playable At PAX

August 28th 2008 01:21
PAX penny arcade expo


If I ever hear anyone in the USA or Europe whine about the quality of their gaming expos and trade shows i'm gunna stuff a greasy chicken wing and crossoint in their respective mouths.

Am I bitter? Yes. Fallout 3 will be playable for the general public for the first time at the upcoming PAX. What do we get? Good Game on the ABC.
This event keeps getting bigger and looks to become possibly the premium gamng event of the year, with 50,000 people expected to attend. The six gaming units Bethesda have dedicated for Fallout 3 might get quite a workout. And if that's not enough, Bethesda plans to hand out Vault Dweller Survival Guides to everyone that stops by the booth.

Australia will have to do with watching live streams of Americans enjoying themselves at the event... Yup.
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Ubisoft Planning Far Cry 3 Already

August 28th 2008 00:22
far cry


Far Cry is synonymous with lush forest settings, and if the rumours are true the third installment is due to stay that way


[ Click here to read more ]
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team fortress 2


PC gamers have long enjoyed for free the types of content that console owners have payed for. This is set to continue beyond the regular DLC like extra maps and armour, and will now includes updates also


[ Click here to read more ]
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Xbox 360 GTA IV Preferred By Gamers

August 13th 2008 07:09
gat IV xbox 360


Nielsen have released a report showing some hard data on the owners of GTA IV, showing that a majority of those purchasing the game preferring the Xbox 360 console over the PS3. Also, a quarter made the decision to buy for their Xbox 360 based on the exclusive content


[ Click here to read more ]
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fallout 3


GamerChip brings you the news you have been waiting for: RedAnt, the Australian distributor for Fallout 3, has confirmed through the EB Games website that the game will be released on October 17th. The RedAnt website is yet to post details which will be of concern to some, but EB Games has yet to steer us wrong on this one


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alone in the dark ps3


Alone In The Dark looks set to be given a new lease of life via the PS3


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Fallout 3 rating


Australian Gamer have been kind enough to confirm the GamerChip story regarding the edited version of Fallout 3 hitting Australian shelves. The OFLC has decreed that fifteen years and older gamers will have a very similar version to that released around the civilized world - the one with the 18 rating. Details will come to hand soon as to the exact nature of these changes, but it would seem to be fairly cosmetic, such as drugs being renamed. The sexually explicit content, not having been raised as the cause of the ban originally looks to remain intact


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ghostbusters


Rumour: Ghostbusters has had the rough end of the proton beams so far, being cast aside after the latest round of mergers and finding itself still without a home. The suggestion now is that Sony may pick up the pieces and keep them to themselves, and though there is some evidence pointing in that direction, it is less than conclusive


[ Click here to read more ]
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havok inside


An interesting development has reared its head into the exclusivity debate, with the signing of a "perpetual licensing agreement" that will make the Havok physics engines available to Microsoft Game Studios and its development partners. With such a close relationship forming, will we see Sony and Microsoft become separated with exclusivity, not between game titles, but the actual engines they use? Could it be that future titles on the 360 will have the latest physics engine and those on Sony will not


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Fallout 3 classification


Only a few days after GamerChip revealing that retail chains had received the news (see: not rumour) that there was a new Australia-friendly version of Fallout 3 coming, Internode has expertly probed deep enough into the story to bring a tear to Peter Harvey's eye


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fallout 3


Fallout is an apt name for upcoming game. The Australian media has been whipped into the closest thing to a frenzy we have here for the gaming industry over the ban on the upcoming Bethesda title Fallout 3. But according to EB Games and GAME representatives, Australia will be receiving the game, albeit in a modified format. The new, friendlier version, will have the drug use removed that saw the game banned in the first place. Both EB Games and GAME are currently taking pre-orders for the title. One representative from GAME, contacted this Thursday night, (after hammering home the "do you want to pre-order?" spiel) said that he had read on their internal communications only an hour before that Fallout 3 would be released this year


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naughty dog


Sony Online is starting to take shape. Well, at least another shape. And Richard Lemarchand from Sony-owned Naughty Dog believes this new shape will have an edge over Xbox Live


[ Click here to read more ]
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n-gage ps3


If you thought that the battle of the consoles was to be fought over new IP's and pure graphical power - think again. Retro is back and ready to turn your mutli-thousand dollar home setup into an N-Gage


[ Click here to read more ]
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No New Consoles For Ten Years?

July 30th 2008 02:09
consoles 2018


Brian Farrell, CEO of THQ, believes that it will be at least seven years before we see a new console released. And Epic Games President Mike Capps has as similar view, stating that the next generation is unlikely to start for up to ten years


[ Click here to read more ]
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Activision Can Ghostbusters Game

July 29th 2008 02:49
ghostbusters


Activision Blizzard has submitted its latest release schedule with no mention of forthcoming title from Terminal Reality, Ghostbusters, or Double Fine's Brutal Legend


[ Click here to read more ]
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resident evil 5


While the current crop of games are trying to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, the refreshing news has come through that the new Resident Evil 5 will keep the gore levels at a maximum rather than diluting the crimson to get a lower rating


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star wars unleashed dual lightsaber


A new video has been released showing the most important part of the new Star Wars Force Unleashed game, the Lightsaber combat


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