The refusal to classify Aliens vs. Predator in Australia is effectively a ban, as the country will not allow the sale of a game that doesn't fall under its maximum allowed game rating of MA15+, and Rebellion agrees that its game doesn't qualify for that rating. The following is from a statement issued by the developer.

"Rebellion is disappointed that its upcoming title Aliens vs. Predator has been banned in Australia. However, as we understand the law in that country the authorities had no choice as we agree strongly that our game is not suitable for game players who are not adults."

Rebellion's problem is the same that many Australian games and gamers are forced to deal with - the fact that while films can carry R18+ and X18+ ratings, labeling them as adults only, video games can not. This has caused many developers over the years to modify titles, including Bethesda, which altered the drug references in Fallout 3 to suit Australian censors. Rebellion, true to its name, refuses to make changes.

"The content of AVP is based on some of the most innovative and iconic horror movies, and as such we wanted to create a title that was true to the source material. It is for adults, and it is bloody and frightening, that was our intent. We will not be releasing a sanitised or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices."

Harsh words, but words that countless other developers and gamers can get behind.

Rebellion rises against Australia AVP ban News [GamesIndustry.biz]

Traditional family values during the holidays? So like relatives getting in fights and drinking too much? Kidding!

"As a father-of-four, I'm well aware of the role that computer games play in youngsters' lives and they undoubtedly have a place," says the hotel's managing director Stephen Leckie. "However with Christmas holidays being the ideal opportunity to spend quality time with our families, we're asking our younger guests to set their consoles and games aside for just a few days of the year and, instead, sample some new activities which they may never have tried before."

Sounds like Mr. Leckie is assuming that video games aren't something children and adults can play together. I, of course, am assuming that he is assuming. The hotel does offer loads of kid friendly activities for children to enjoy, such as an indoor playland.

BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | Tayside and Central | Hotel bans Christmas video games [BBC via Yahoo! Games]

Last week Microsoft launched a string of Xbox Live console bans on Xbox 360s that had been modified to play pirated software, which naturally cause an uproar among people who have modified their Xbox 360 consoles to play pirated software. Go figure. Major Nelson explains that it's all for the sake of the community members that actively spend money on games.

As you may have read online, we've been actively banning consoles from Xbox LIVE that have been modified to play pirated games. Our commitment to combat piracy and support safer and more secure gameplay for the more than 20 million members of our Xbox LIVE community remains a top priority. All consumers should know that piracy is illegal, and that modifying their Xbox 360 console to play pirated discs, violates the Xbox LIVE terms of use, will void their warranty and result in a ban from Xbox LIVE. The health of the video game business depends on customers paying for the genuine products and services they receive from manufacturers, retailers, and the third parties that support them.

It's all common sense, really, but then the Major raises a very important point.

This would also be a good time to remind you that the warranty on an Xbox 360 console is not transferrable and if you purchase a used console that has been previously banned, you will not be able to connect to Xbox LIVE.

Since most game retailers don't check to see if a 360 can connect to Xbox Live prior to taking it in used, you very well could wind up with a system that is unable to connect to Xbox Live at all. Luckily most retailers return used consoles without much hassle. Just make sure you check your Xbox Live connection within the return period and you should be fine.

Xbox 360 Console Bans [Major Nelson]

IGN noticed scuttlebutt about bannings in technical feedback forums and asked Microsoft about it. A spokesperson confirmed they banzored some modded consoles. Said the spokesperson to IGN:

"We have taken action against a small percentage of consoles that have been modified to play pirated game discs. In line with our commitment to combat piracy and support safer and more secure gameplay for the more than 20 million members of our Xbox LIVE community, we are suspending these modded consoles from Xbox LIVE."

Microsoft wouldn't say exactly when the action was taken, although IGN speculates that, from the chatter, it's been happening over the past week.

Microsoft Performs Mass Xbox Console Banning [IGN via Hot Blooded Gaming] [Image from KnowYourMeme]

As we've touched on in previous stories, Australia's game classification stops at MA15+, lacking the R18+ rating that particularly violent films are afforded. Seeing as Silent Hill: Homecoming isn't exactly children's fare it was originally deemed too violent and graphic for an MA15+, which in effect banned the game from release in the country. Now an update to the Classification Board's website dated yesterday indicates the title has now been given the MA15+ rating, and therefor may see the shining light of those lovely Australian store shelves.

Now word on what if any cuts were made to the game to garner the new rating. I just think it's silly that a country filled with bears that drop out of trees to eat unsuspecting foreigners would be concerned with video game violence at all.

Silent Hill: Homecoming unbanned in Australia [GameStop]

GP immediately contacted EA, with distinctly unsatisfactory results. The top PR dog didn't respond to our e-mail. Later in the day we tracked down the EA guy who is handling Dead Space PR, and put the question to him in two e-mails and a live phone call. Never got an answer one way or the other. EA doesn't know if one of their high profile titles managed to get banned in three countries? Sorry, not buying that. Or, they know but aren't saying? Unacceptable.

GP seems suspicious about the China news, too, asking "does EA even distribute console games in China?" (they do in theory) — but considering the government made Blizzard and The9 change the look of skeletons and dead bodies in WoW, it's not a huge logical leap to nixing sales of a game like Dead Space. Still, GP seems most disturbed EA's lack of knowledge — or unwillingness to share it — when it comes to the status of their game in at least three locales: "It's time for EA to put an end to this nonsense. If there is a multi-country ban, gamers deserve to know about it. If there's not, gamers deserve to stop having their chains yanked..."

Dead Space Ban in Three Countries? We're Not Buying It [GamePolitics]

It's disheartening to think that it has come to this, that unless we're talking about the relatively safe topics of consoles and their direct by-products there can't be intelligent discourse on Kotaku. And I don't understand how we've arrived here.

Commenting on this site has a short and interesting history. It wasn't allowed for more than a year and when it did come, after much pleading on my part, it came in the form of an invitation. You were invited to come into the site. This wasn't because we didn't want dissenters on the site, it was because we didn't want trolls here, inside with us. Because whether you believe me or not, commenters are as much a part of making Kotaku, what it is, as it's writers are, perhaps even more a part of that process.

Over time we opened the door more, allowing anyone to apply to be a commenter, something that I hoped would bring a wealth of new and interesting opinion into the site. But what it seems to have done is created not a chorus of thought and reason, but a mob mentality, a desire to post first, to speak loudest and to rarely read through the entire article or think about the topic at hand. It's created a cacophony of stupidity that drowns out our many well-reasoned readers and dilutes their intelligent discourse.

Race is a big issue. It's an issue that's right up there with religion and politics. People get angry, I get that, and of course you have the right to get angry. But what you don't have the right to do is to turn off your brain and turn up your mouth.

If you disagree with someone then disagree, but don't resort to calling names, don't use caps, don't generalize. Dissent with smart, thoughtful comments, create a dialog or go somewhere else, because frankly, you're embarrassing me.

In a sweep designed to "clean up young people's online environment," police in the southern Chinese border city of Shenzhen uncovered 563 illegal Internet cafes, Xinhua said. The crackdown netted 1,407 computers, while 7 people were arrested and nearly 5,000 Internet accounts closed.

Shenzhen police in one case discovered 30 computers crammed into a 40-square meter room.

Other unregistered establishments were tucked in the upper floors of otherwise empty buildings. "This shows the difficulties the law enforcers face," Xinhua noted.

Promising more crackdowns and more laws, the Chinese government is attempting to bite back. I'm just unconvinced it's actually going to do anything other than flush out some illegal businesses and further bloat the bureaucracy.

China flags crackdown on "undesirable" online games [Reuters]

REPEAL 177@55 3FF3C7 [via cvg]

Homebrew applications void the warranty of the PSP®(PlayStation®Portable) system, and an official area to discuss such activities cannot be provided by SCEA. Any postings that are clearly homebrew-related, such as those providing instructions on downgrading firmware updates, will be removed from this board.

While many have picked up this story, disgusted with Sony (and somewhat rightly so), who can expect Sony to allow their bandwidth to be spent in a manner that is (in their eyes) directly opposing their business? It's a shame that Sony has not found a way to embrace the homebrew community—a move that would be great PR for their promising but underutilized portable. But until they realize the potential in supporting non-pirated homebrew, we can't feign disgust or surprise at what is a very reasonable move made by an unreasonable company.

Sony Forum [via gamesradar]

The reasons for banning media can range from violence to illegal content. For example, every book about producing drugs or growing weed is illegal in germany.

So what if a game is banned? Well the game goes on the Index, which is basically a list of media which is banned. Media on the index is not allowed for sale to persons below the age of 18. Also any advertising, in media that is accessible to persons below the age of 18 for it is illegal. Same goes for import and export, for persons under the age of 18. And it's legal to sell them under the counter in stores, but (you guessed it) only to persons over the age of 18.

A date will be set for a hearing, in which the VAC panel will view demonstrations of the game while weighing each side's arguments. I believe Rockstar's argument is something along the lines of, "At least you know that if another Hot Coffee is unlocked in Manhunt, a bit of consenting intercourse will pale in comparison to all the crazy, bloody murdering."

Rockstar finally appeals BBFC's Manhunt ban [cvg]

According to Bennett:

I hope that ELSPA's response to the BBFC's decision not to grant a rating to Manhunt 2 was not made without recognizing the long term possible effects of such an action, as pointed out by Stuart Dinsey last week.

There is no evidence for it to make such a flawed assumption. Games are becoming increasingly and wholly unjustifiably separated from other forms of screen entertainment. It seems to me that the Government and thus the BBFC have become heavily influenced by previous events which in no way have any link to our industry.

What's done is done, but it's nice to see that after all the hoopla, some of the people who have experience in the industry are willing to play devil's advocate on the issue. Not because Manhunt 2 specifically should be unbanned, but to keep the conversation open to debate when it comes to the future of other games.
Bennett Questions BBFC Manhunt Ruling [MCVUK]

We don't want to preempt the decision of the Office of Film and Literature Classification Review Board but it is looking very doubtful" [a source] said.

The original Manhunt was released for Playstation 2 in Australia in 2003, receiving a MA15+ classification for "Medium-level animated violence".

Sigh. That's all I really have to say on this issue. Kim Phu

Manhunt 2 Will Not Be Released Downunder [Smarthouse via Game Politics]

Stating their options as shipping the game as-is, redoing it for a better rating, or simply canceling the title altogether, Pachter estimates that the fallout of the Manhunt 2 problems will cost the company around half of his original estimate of $40 million in revenue. Going to have to go with him on this. For one, you lose half your market and you're going to lose half the profit. Then there's the word of mouth reaching parents about the game, making them much less likely to fall back on the normal parenting technique of handing over money and nodding noncommittally. Thirdly, he's The Pachter, and his word is sacrosanct. Michael Fahey

Pachter: Manhunt 2 Troubles Will Cost T2 Millions of $$$ [Game Politics]

After the Overrated guild—their name, not my opinion—decided to install wall hacks to make the raid to Temple of Ahn'Qiraj boss C'Thun a little bit easier, Blizz decided to issue some bans. So they banned the whole guild.

From the WoW forums (Psst! Legendary thread!):

A few minutes ago we went from having a near-raid online to having seven. I didn't clearly, but only because my raid attendance has been remiss lately. Let me explain.

We are the only US Horde guild that clears Naxx, been like that for a few weeks. People found that the pre-C'thun trash was so painful, that they decided to install some stupid thing that deletes walls or something, and you can just run there after Skeram.

I know, we had it coming, blah blah whatever, we know we deserve it. I actually think it's hilarious because I was calling them all idiots for doing it. I'm sure they'll try and get it rescinded because it's kind of a steep punishment with no recourse or whatever.

Aww. That's such a shame! Michael McWhertor

WOW guild banned [Gamespot]

If there's an underlying message about race in that trailer, it's that non-whites have the ability to fully regenerate when cut in half.

by dan

Phil Harrison Is Stuffing Blu-Ray Disc Full of Pre-Renders

It is very hard to tell the difference between resolutions when stuff is in motion.

You can really notice it when things are stationary. Looking at text on a computer monitor, you'll be able to tell the difference between a 1280 by 1024 monitor, and a 1920 by 1080 monitor in about 2 seconds.

With games, I don't really see much need for over 720P right now. It's progressive, so you don't get scanlines. It's also low enough that the processor can put a good amount of anti aliasing in, which is what you really notice.

Next gen, when the processors are able to really do a lot with 1080P signals, then it might be worth it. Right now, a 720 game will just look a lot better.

Also, I hate prerendered scenes, they really take you out of the experience, because nothing looks the same. Maybe they were needed back in the day, but now the in game graphics look great. Why bother prerendering.

by Adam

Xbox 3 Already Being Planned

Yeah, I echo the sentiments of many other posters here when they say that this isn't exactly earthshaking. Other console makers have done the same practice of planning for the next console immediately after launching the new one, such as when the PlayStation 3 was supposedly in development since the launch of the PlayStation 2. One magazine article I read on the subject (I forget which one, I think it was EGM) mentioned that an early PlayStation 3 prototype was constructed as six PlayStation 2s connected together to pool their graphical processing power. Also, Shigeru Miyamoto, during E3, also dropped a tidbit of information that after the Wii's launch, Nintendo would be working on the next version of that, designed with high definition televisions in mind. So yeah, Msoft working on the next Xbox after the 360 isn't exactly a huge bombshell.

by Webimpulse

Miz Defends Crap Lumines Micro-Transactions

I think companies are going down the wrong track with this microtransaction thing - how many times have you gotten to a point in a game that was boring, buggy or too hard to bother to go on, only to push through just to get to better parts or for the sole purpose of finishing the game? For me, that happens pretty often. If I had to pay just to get to that next level, I probably wouldn't do it. Or if I did I'd probably expect 10/10 gaming experience. Every level, every addition has to be perfect to pay for it.

Theoretically, that means that microtransactions will actually improve gameplay. I think that's true to a limited extent, but it's pretty clear that most companies don't really put the energy in to actually improve the gameplay enough to justify the micropayments. And even if they tried, there's just no way to make a perfect game - every game is going to have some imperfections.

If game companies charge a lump payment, we'll suffer through some rough patches because it's already paid for. But if they charge for every new song, gameplay mode or level, my guess is that they'll get a lot less than full price out of us.

by weatherman

"I'm Spartacus!" "No... I'M Spartacus!"

Personally, I've never read Kotaku, and I never plan to. Now let me get back to my needlecraft.

by Ni Tsu Alien

SIXAXIS Is Human And Must Be Buried

The REAL issue is that rechargeable batteries start to lose their longevity as they get older, meaning that in about two years, you will be charging the battery for like an hour just to get about 1/2 hour worth of play in (that's exaggerated, of course). When this happens, you will either have to just buy a new controller, or will probably have to get it serviced just to get a new battery in.

This is the same way Apple deals with their Nano battery problem; the Nano requires a specially made screwdriver to open it. It's an unnecessary hassle to the consumer, and many of Apple's competitors (SanDisk's Sansa e200 series) eliminate this by allowing their owners to replace batteries themselves; this is a big enough issue that Nano competitors have used this as actual selling point.

by macdeth

Liveblogging the Gamers Day 06 Presentation

Would I be correct to assume that anyone who has the money to purchase a 1080p display would be the same fellow to have the money to purchase gaming equipment that displays at 1080p? And that anyone who doesn't have the money to purchase the 1080p display is also the same fellow who doesn't have the money to purchase the gaming equipment that displays at 1080p?

Because I get this strange... sickening feeling that a lot of people are complaining about things that, in the end, don't actually apply to their own personal experience anyway. If you've got the cash for the TV and PS3, you've got the cash for the cables. It's a game of relativity here and Sony is simply exploiting it to its full potential.

If the Wii displayed at 1080p but was the same budget system it is now and didn't come with enough free bells and whistles, I could understand the complaints. But when you're spending $2.5k to $5k for the TV and $700 for the PS3 (with taxes and 1 game), what's an HDMI cable... hell, from Monster no less... going to do to your already inflated budget? Not much.

by DaveKap

Wanna make a comment? Go ahead. Log-in and type away. But beware, we love to ban the dopey folks. Helps pass the time when we're bored.

First, Dead Rising gets "nixed" by Germany's rating board, the Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle, and next up on its chopping block: Gears of War. The USK has decided not to rate the chainsaw-gun-shooting game. Instead of making the necessary changes to get approval for sale, Microsoft has decided not to publish the game in Deutschland. So, we call all safely say this USK pretty much sucks, huh? Brian Ashcraft

CliffyB's Game Gets Axed [Eurogamer]

They didn't copy Nintendo again. They didn't copy Nintendo to begin with. This is for MOVIE PLAYBACK. This is not a WiiStick, it is not meant to be a WiiStick, nor is it meant to knock off a WiiStick. Come on, guys.

So, it isn't the sleekest thing this side of Kansas. But how many people actually bought a DVD remote for the PS2? And why does it matter how badly it looks? None of you are buying a Playstation 3 anyway, from the sound of your grumblings. If the look of the DVD remote keeps you from buying a next-gen system, then we really are headed for a downfall of the video game industry.

This is why nobody can spend time developing new games - they have to make a sexy remote for it, or you guys won't watch DVDs on the system and therefore won't buy the system. Grow up, guys.

So this remote is 'ugly' or 'big' or 'large.' Doesn't matter. I'm not spending an extra 10-50 bucks on a new remote when I can USE A CONTROLLER or ANOTHER DEVICE I ALREADY HAVE to do the same trick. (See that, Microsoft? I'm not gonna buy a new controller plug-in to watch a damn DVD. Duh.)

by Vyenpakakapaka

God Hand Equals No Sleep

You can punch people into space!!!! Hello? Do you need any more incentive to get it?

by Toneman

PS3 Controller's Name Revealed

It's always kind of confused me that the controller require a name. The 360's controller is called...the 360 controller. The Wii's remote is called...the Wii Remote.

It's a controller, it doesn't need a name. I ran a Gamestop for 3 years, not once did anyone come in and ask for a Dual Shock 2. I heard a lot of "paddles", "remotes", "pads", "joysticks" etc.

The name originated with PS1 because it had to have a name to differentiate it from the standard controller, it's irrelevant now as the SIXAXIS (I love how it's all caps just like PLAYSTATION 3) is the only official controller.

by skullivan

Uwe Boll Doing BloodRayne Sequel

I wonder if someday, Uwe Boll will publish his memoirs and reflect on his life of making shitty movies and beating up internet nerds as a career.

by kneejash

Sony Says What PS3 Overheating Problem?

Personally the fact the PS3s overheated at TGS doesn't bother me as I've yet to hear an account of how it handles in a real world environment. One that isn't already hot to begin with and the ps3 not crammed into a tight space with barely any ventilation.

What I'm more concerned with the outright denial from Sony. The PS3s did not all run "flawlessly" as many TGS accounts attest. The utter contempt exhibited by Sony for it's consumers is horrifying.

Note to Sony: If there's evidence of a fault all over the web, DON'T DENY IT!!! It only makes you look either stupid or callous. What you should do is explain the fault as rationally as possible. You could have used pre-production models or trade show conditions. The result would have been one of more tolerance by industy followers and a lot less egg on the face. Oh and for God's sake, swallow you pride over the rumble thing would ya?

by Repsode

Want to comment? Go ahead. We're less snobby, but still elitist. Type what you wanna say, but do know we *heart* banning. Commenters that add to the dialogue stay. Those that don't are mocked, banned, mocked again and shown the door. And then mocked.