Left 4 Dead 2 banned in Australia.

"The game contains violence that is high in impact and is therefore unsuitable for persons under 18 years to play,"

I'm shocked at this. I really am.

This country's backward and draconian classification board, the Office of Film and Literature Classification, have refused to classify one of the most anticipated games of Q4 2009, Left 4 Dead 2.

That makes four games now for this year. But that aside, a sequel to Left 4 Dead being banned in this country (and only this country) is truly shocking. The first game was critically-acclaimed for it's depiction of the impending zombie apocalypse and sold through the roof. The OFLC have put forth their reasons for this and there are as follows:

Violence is “inflicted upon ‘the Infected’ who are living humans infected with a rabies-like virus that causes them to act violently.”

Melee weapons that “inflict the most damage” and cause “copious amounts of blood spray and splatter (sic), decapitations and limb dismemberment… or even cause intestines to spill from the wounds.”

"The interactive nature of the game increases the overall impact of the frequent and intense depictions of violence. This coupled with the graphic depictions of blood and gore combine to create a playing impact which is high.”

“a minority of the Board is of the opinion that the violence is strong in playing impact and therefore warrants an MA15+ classification” 

I can't really think straight with the amount of frustration and rage bubbling up inside me at the moment. I'll report on further developments as they come to hand. Let me leave you with this image while I calm down a bit...