#oflc

Left 4 Dead 2 playable in Australia

Congratulations to Australia for finally gaining access to the un-banned merchandise: Left 4 Dead 2.  The first-person, co-operative zombie shoot-em up title released by Valve back in 2009 in North America, recently had its classification changed from banned to R18+, which allowed this unedited version to be legally sold in Australia.

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So, I may or may not have an uncensored copy of Saints Row IV and I may not or perhaps played a level that got said game censored.

Now to clear the air a little and add a slight spoiler warning for those planning on breaking the law and importing the game. Yes the mission does have your character and two of his/her homies taking fake alien drugs by smoking them out of lightbulbs and yes it does give them superpowers or in the case of your character a slight buff. That said, it plays into a specific character's personal past and her old habits. I would not say it paints drugs in a super positive light, it's kind of just a macguffin to give a particular character powers like your avatars. At the same time, it does nothing to paint drugs in a negative light either.

That said, out of all the homie loyalty missions, it's probably one of the better ones when it comes to character motivation. Now I don't like Shaundi, and when there are two of them bitching at each other it starts to grate on the nerves a little. But after you smoke said alien drugs, you get a rather sweet (as in awwww that's sweet. Like a new born fawn) and touching moment of character development. Yes drug use is used to "have a little fun" and get a particular uptight Shaundi to loosen up and enjoy herself a little. But in greater context Shaundi learns to forgive her earlier mistakes and not let it affect her present and future attitude. So a moment of personal growth.

Was drug use necessary for this? No not really. But her younger self, who has physically manifested herself in the digital Steel Port, was a Loa Dust (more fake drugs) addict and had to kick the habit. Now why use drugs again? Well it might have something to do with the idea that certain Psychedelics such as Psilocybin have been used in studies to help open the mind to new ideas and dealing with past trauma. Psilocybin for example has been used to help with cancer patients psychologically deal with what terrible thing is happening to them and has shown positive effects in keeping a positive mindset, even though the reality is extremely bleak. So on a level it can almost be seen as a commentary on the possible applications of illicit drugs in medical treatments. That's if you want to get deep I guess.

After the drug is taken, you get to participate in a city long chase between two very enlightened Shaundis' enjoying their new found power and more than anything, that the two of them are not so different and are still, at the end of the day the same person. Just one has been through a tougher time and has come out as a harder person. And, you see that person finally get some sort of closure on some of her issues from between the second and fourth game get resolved.

During the chase, chilled out music is playing while a Psychedelic filter is overlaid the action, and in a way it's rather beautiful. I never thought I would say that about a Saints Row game. But watching two new super human characters dart around the city laughing and playing was almost touching. I just remember thinking to myself "Well, officially I am not meant to see this" which made me a little sad.

Nothing to fear it appears, GTA V will be in our hands with no edits due to content on September 17th. Unlike Saints Row 4, that had to clean up its act before it could come into our houses, GTA V easily snuggles up to the OFLC guidelines quite nicely. OFLC has rated the game R18+ with the columns (literally) Ticked saying it has Strong Impact violence,sexual themes, language,nudity(boobs or dicks not known yet...its probably dicks again) and adult themes. But their is a High Impact tick for drug themes, so will we live our dreams of becoming Walter White and become the best meth cook in town....hopefully. Which again would be strange because Saints Row 4 was banned due to drug use, but it must show the negative side of drug use (faces of meth anyone).

Yup, after Saints Row IV fully leaded was resubmitted to the OFLC, we still will not be seeing a legal release of the game. oflc has deemed .The original submission saw the game refused classification due to the Alien Anal probe, and its raping people to death as far too offensive for the average consumer.

This time it was the positive use of drugs as the noted reason. Here’s some words for you to read.

"A three-member panel of the Classification Review Board has unanimously determined that the computer game Saints Row IV is classified Refused Classification.

In the Review Board’s opinion, Saints Row IV could not be accommodated within the R 18+ classification as drug use related to incentives and rewards is not permitted."

Yeah, they have a decent reason. Yes it is annoying that they have made a choice for us. But there is a guideline established, and it turns out that drugs that make you awesome, and an anal gun raping someone to death, Is seen as offensive by some….well most. Like say what you will about their open mindedness towards us gamer folk, but when asking an average person " do you think heroin will ever give you super powers and make you awesome" they might spit at you and walk off. And don’t ask people about rapping people to death, that shit might get you into trouble.