Valve Has Edited Version of Left 4 Dead 2 For Possible Release [Australia]

Yeah, I read it on Kotaku before.

Hopefully something can be done about getting the unedited version though : /

Left 4 Dead 2 US Version + Hamachi/Garena = Win???

Looks like there has been a classification! http://www.oflc.gov.au/www/cob/find.nsf/d853f429dd038ae1ca25759b0003557c/981b9f23b74dbc0aca2576480057fedc!OpenDocument

The next question is if this is the gore reduced version or the original.

I think its the gore-reduced version. The classification for that was meant to come out late yesterday (according to the Kotaku article).

EDIT: Confirmed, gore-reduced version: http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/10/looks-like-left-4-dead-2-is-coming-to-a...

ooo nooos add extra file / command somewhere

I doubt it will be long before someone figues out how to mod it back to the original gore filled original.

"r_drawbodies 1" ?, And they can also release a upgrade as DLC since it doesn't need to be classified.

lol

cheating the system.

As far as I understand, this version is but a backup, if the original version doesn't meet classification standards when it gets appealed Oct 22nd.

Edit: I should read the first post more often.

Yeah, it basically makes sense for them to do a version that they KNOW they can release, rather than being stuck in paperwork still when the release date comes around, now they can afford to chew up all the time between now and release restoring as much as possible and attempting to have other versions classified and not have a release disaster if they don't get it sorted out in time.

They can patch the content in afterwards anyway, because patches and DLC content don't have to go through a classification system.

Hey guys does anyone want to pre-order the 4-pack with me?

You get a 10% pre-order discount ontop of the 4-pack discount which is a pretty good deal ($33.74 USD each)

Let me know if you are up for this.

There would be a shit storm if they added it in later. Unless classified we'll retain the cut down version, there are several places around the world they need to release cut down versions, from memory Germany is also fairly sensitive to this content.

EDIT: Count me in Doble.

Count me in too.

ME AS WELL !

Both myself and tr0oper are keen to get the 4 pack as well if others are still keen for it.

Myself and Sensator would be keen as well. I'll create a new thread to organise this.

I'm considering it.

I can't remember the name of the game, but I believe after release it was changed to RC because some members of the community had cracked the game to unlock the questionable material. I believe this was GTA, they unlocked the prostitute beatings?

The OFLC link shows Left 4 Dead 2's applicant as:
"Applicant ELECTRONIC ARTS"
Perhaps this only applies to the retail store boxed version? Isn't steam technically a parallel import? You are paying in USD and I don't see a shop here.

LOL

That comment caused quite a stir huh?

Yeah, it did. There's a lot of truth in it; gamers have a long history of sabotaging their own efforts to be taken seriously as mature and well-adjusted individuals. Throwing an internet tantrum because it's your right as an adult to play adult games, or advocating the beating/killing of a lawyer who claims that games incite violence is a bit self-defeating.

I think we should resolve this by writing him a stern letter, that always works. :D

Pfft. Frankly, I don't know the best way to resolve the problem as most people on both sides of the argument appear to be raving morons. Arguing with an idiot just brings you down to their level. I do know however that killing/beating the guy for his views would just add credibility to his argument rather than solve the problem.

Actually more stern letters and less internet whinging and petitions would have greater effect. People are unhappy enough to go all keyboard commando, but not enough to go postal (with an envelope and a stamp).

I really wish I could believe that MC, but I can't. Both Michael Atkinson and Jack Thompson have an opinion and a position and they are sticking their heads in and holding on for dear life like a tick on a dog's bum. They've shown a remarkable aversion to open discourse, intelligent discussion, opposing views and occasionaly even "the facts." When someone isn't willing to even consider the possibility that they might not be correct, there's not a lot that you can do to get through to them.

Yeah, all we can do is wait him out.

Other than that, the only way to get things changed is to create a media circus, but I don't think the public cares enough (just look at Internet Filtering). Michelle Corby is a much more important issue, she's so beautiful she has to be innocent.

EDIT: Added the redness just in case people missed the sarcasm. :P

Hrmm, the stuff I've seen from Michael Atkinson is that he hasn't received much, well structured snail mail, email's are always peppered with wither alias's, geek angst or both.

The thing is he is an elected representative, so his local constituency is the one keeping him in power, and the gov't keeping him in the role. However each electorate has a representative both local, state and federal who's elected local by the people they represent these people can put pressure on the attorney general's office. If there was a concerted effort nationwide by gamers to physically write out a letter to the three above representative's, the Australian attorney general himself, and Micheal Atkinson some movement would occur. Without such outcry why should he change his mind.

Also I believe the current hold up is the format the review will take. It's clear a review is required Michael admits that, but there is contention surrounding how the review material will be presented, possibly surrounding the inclusion of images and screen shots that are not typical of such a review.

The real answer is that gamers are still a niche entry in the population of Australia, and and even smaller niche of those care about the issue, and an even smaller niche again willing to be vocal about it and even smaller niche again willing to actually post a letter. This is political, conservatives and fencesitters out weight gamers heavily. Atkinson says meh a few thousand gamers across Australia have signed a petition, few of those in his electorate. Especially when his electorate is dominated by immigration and unemployment from memory.

How many LS'ers have written a letter to any representative voicing your concerns?

Does Mail bombs count ?

Writing letters is too much work, can't I do it later? :)

Seriously, I might think about it. I never bothered writing a letter about the Internet Filtering either, but I assumed a lot of people did, and that went nowhere.

The thing is, the letter must be constructive and present a lucid argument. Just saying "I'm an adult, and deserve an 18+ rating" won't cut it. You need to back that up with arguments about games being shoe-horned into the MA-15+ rating and the inconsistency between the ratings systems of movies and games. Citing relevant articles would be good too.

Noting economic impacts would also be a bonus. Either way though, some low-level drone will probably read it and send back a template reply. Quantity > Quality.