CrimeCraft banned in Australia

By Oli Welsh Published 30 November, 2009

Drug use to blame, not rubbishness.

Independent MMO CrimeCraft has been refused classification by the Australian Classificaion Board, which amounts to a total ban in the country, reports GameSpot.

It wasn't the violent gang warfare which did for the game in the ACB's eyes, however - it was "drug use related to incentives or rewards". In the game, players use fictional drugs called Boosts to improve their performance.

"In the board's opinion, there is insufficient delineation between the 'fictional drugs' available in game and real-world proscribed drugs," said the ACB.

"Boost parallels the names, chemical elements, administration, treatment, and addictive elements of real-world proscribed drugs, and when used provide quantifiable benefits to a player's character. The game therefore contains drug use related to incentives or rewards and should be refused classification."

Fallout 3 ran into similar trouble in Australia last year due to its handling of morphine, although it eventually saw release. This year, the highest-profile victim of Australia's strict censor was Left 4 Dead 2, which has been released in a drastically cut version.

In this case, however, the people of Australia aren't missing out on much. Read our 4/10 CrimeCraft review to find out why.

Picture of Oli.

About Oli Welsh

Oli is Eurogamer's acting deputy editor and reviews editor and likes to take things one word at a time. He is among the best dressed people in South London.

Read more articles from Oli by visiting the Oli Welsh archive page.

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