Saints Row IV banned in Australia due to Anal Probe usage

Saints Row IV banned in Australia due to Anal Probe usage
The Australian Classification Board has justified its refusal to classify Saints Row IV for the market, singling out the use of 'anal probes' and narcotics.

The alien anal probes used in Saints Row IV amounts to "implied sexual violence," in the opinion of the Classification Board. It also takes issue with the use of illicit drugs also referred to as being "alien" in nature.



"The game includes a weapon referred to by the applicant as an 'Alien Anal Probe'. The applicant states that this weapon can be 'shoved into enemy's backsides'. When using this weapon, the player approaches a (clothed) victim from behind and thrusts the weapon between the victim's legs and then lifts them off the ground before pulling a trigger which launches the victim into the air," a statement from the Classification Board reads, according to GameSpot.

"A weapon designed to penetrate the anus of enemy characters and civilians constitutes a visual depiction of implied sexual violence that is interactive and not justified by context."

The Board also pointed out an optional mission in the game where the player obtained and smokes "alien narcotics," giving the character superpowers.

"In the board's opinion, there is insufficient delineation between the 'alien narcotic' available in the game and real-world proscribed drugs. The board notes that the label 'narcotics' is commonly assigned to describe a class of real-world drugs that include such proscribed substances as cocaine and heroin...this game therefore contains drug use related to incentives and rewards, and should be refused classification."

Volition is working to alter the game in order to bring it to the Australian market.

Written by: James Delahunty @ 27 Jun 2013 7:48
Tags
Australia Saints Row IV
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  • 9 comments
  • bhetrick

    So SR4 is banned but Destroy All Humans isn't?

    27.6.2013 08:14 #1

  • pensfan12

    What was the point of the 18+ rating if games still get banned? Like most modern day Western societies the Australian government loves to tell its citizens what they can and cant do.


    27.6.2013 08:17 #2

  • attar

    Originally posted by pensfan12: What was the point of the 18+ rating if games still get banned? Like most modern day Western societies the Australian government loves to tell its citizens what they can and cant do.
    A funny old world;political appointees who converse in Mission Statements and media approved PC cant, get to exercise power over the sheeple who appoint the politicians.

    27.6.2013 09:07 #3

  • KillerBug

    I thought the Australian government was against piracy?


    27.6.2013 09:48 #4

  • Jemborg

    It's embarrassing.

    Its a lot easier being righteous than right.


    27.6.2013 13:15 #5

  • neo1000

    Sorry got to agree with this.

    27.6.2013 14:35 #6

  • DADEO1

    Maybe that's why Mom's always say to wear clean underwear.

    30.6.2013 18:42 #7

  • xboxdvl2

    i don't see whats so bad about the game that they have to ban it.

    drug use big deal.i go for a walk on my street and i smell pot coming from peoples windows and yards.How come the movie ted isnt banned here or half baked isnt banned???

    the anal probe thing isnt nice but im sure they have them or something similar in many alien movies that are rated MA15+.

    @killerbug the australian government dont actually seem very concerned with piracy at least not compared to usa and uk.

    i have the big screen tv,a ps3 and 5.1 channel surround sound.car still runs smooth and computer still works but its a bit outdated.

    1.7.2013 08:14 #8

  • bhetrick

    Originally posted by xboxdvl2: usa and uk. You spelt "Hollywood corporate greed" wrong.

    1.7.2013 08:59 #9

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