The computer game “Risen”, from Deep Silver, has banned from sale or rental in Australia. The game, a role playing game set on a fantasy island where the user plays a character who has been shipwrecked and finds mysterious creatures threatening the island, has failed to meet the criteria established by Australia’s video game classification system to meet an MA 15+ rating, the maximum classification allowed for a computer game in Australia. The content which has placed “Risen” on the country’s “banned” list (the third game to go on the list this year, following “Necrovision” and “Sexy Poker”) pertains to “inappropriate sexual material” (namely involving the player acquiring the sexual services of prostitutes) and drug use, pertaining to a fictional drug entitled “Brugleweed” (frequently referred to just as ‘weed’) and the trading of the substance therein.
The Classification Board said the game’s sexual content “is purportedly not a necessary element of the gameplay (but) players can gain rewards or advance through the game more easily by engaging in sexual activity with prostitutes“ rewarded players who used it with experience points… (the game) failed to meet acceptable classification guidelines.” Madman Interactive, who were to be the game’s distributor Down Under, confirmed the ban to Gamespot.com, saying “We’re working with the publishers to come to a resolution, but before that, we’re looking at the options available to us, whether we take it to review or to amend and resubmit.”
The game is set to launch on the Xbox 360 and PC’s in October… everywhere but Australia.
