Saints Row IV 'Refused Classification' rating upheld
The controversial game remains "banned" after being put before the Classification Review Board.
Last week, the Australian Classification Review Board announced that it would perform a review of Saints Row IV, which had been given a Refused Classification rating by the board.
The game had been initially refused classification by the classification board for its "visual depictions of implied sexual violence, which are not justified by context" and "elements of illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards".
The three-member panel of the Classification Review Board, which operates as a separate entity to the Classification Board, unanimously decided that the game be given a Refused Classification rating.
The statement regarding the decision said:
In the Review Board's opinion, Saints Row IV could not be accommodated within the R18+ classification, as drug use related to incentives and rewards is not permitted.
No mention was made of the sexual violence.
The decision means that Saints Row IV is not able to be "sold, hired, demonstrated or advertised in Australia".
An edited "Australian Edition" of the game was submitted to the Classification Board just before PAX Australia. The nature of the edits made on this version are unknown, and the Australian Edition is yet to be given a rating.
No official statements have been given by the publisher, Deep Silver, on the Review Board's decision.