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Saints Row IV banned in Australia

Even with Australia's new R18+ rating, Saints Row IV is deemed to push beyond acceptable limits for the local censors, and has been refused classification.

Seamus Byrne Editor, Australia & Asia
Seamus Byrne is CNET's Editor for Australia and Asia. At other times he'll be found messing with apps, watching TV, building LEGO, and rolling dice. Preferably all at the same time.
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Seamus Byrne

Even with Australia's new R18+ rating, Saints Row IV is deemed to push beyond acceptable limits for the local censors, and has been refused classification.

Saints Row IV banned in Australia for sexual violence and drug use related to incentives and rewards. (Credit: Deep Silver Volition)

Saints Row IV has become the first video game to be given a "Refused Classification" rating since Australia introduced an adult R18+ rating for videogames at the start of 2013. In a statement on the decision (PDF) the Classification Board stated:

Saints Row IV includes interactive, visual depictions of implied sexual violence, which are not justified by context. In addition, the game includes elements of illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards. Such depictions are prohibited by the computer games guidelines.

Since its introduction, 17 games have been classified R18+.

Saints Row IV is one of the highest-profile releases to be given an RC rating since Left 4 Dead 2 and Alien vs. Predator. Left 4 Dead 2 was later released in a censored form, and Alien vs. Predator successfully argued for reconsideration.

There is no official word from the game developers or distributors on whether the game will be modified and resubmitted to attempt reconsideration for Australian release.