Syndicate receives RC for Australia

PC, Xbox 360, PS3

It looks like Electronic Arts' upcoming Syndicate has been given an Refused Classification (RC) rating here in Australia, which means the game will not be able to be sold locally. They have decided that they do not wish to release a censored version due to this affecting the style of the game. This is their official statement:

"It’s regrettable that government policy in Australia is denying adults the right to play Syndicate.  The game will be not be available in Australia despite its enthusiastic response from fans. We were encouraged by the government’s recent agreement to adopt an 18+ age rating for games. However, delays continue to force an arcane censorship on games – cuts that would never be imposed on books or movies. We urge policy makers to take swift action to implement an updated policy that reflects today’s market and gives its millions of adult consumers the right to make their own content choices."

As we do not yet (yet) have an R18+ classification, Electronic Arts has no other choice.

Gamers' only chance may be to import the game directly from overseas, which unfortunately only hurts local sellers. 

Reader Comments:

Posted by admeister 21/12/2011 7:09pm

Sad news indeed. We just can't seem to catch a break when it comes to the video game rating system, the R18+ classification is coming, but it's taking a while.

Posted by Master Chief 21/12/2011 8:08pm

I thought it got the go ahead months ago? What's the hold up?