Update: Deep Silver has commented on the matter, saying that Saints Row IV developer, Volition will remove “the content which could cause offence without reducing the outlandish gameplay that Saints Row fans know and love”.
The Classification Board’s report on Saints Row IV is set to be issued in the coming days, and should explain further as to why the game was given Refused Classification.
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Saints Row IV has just been Refused Classification by the Australian Classification Board.
In a statement from the Australian Classification Board, Saints Row IV “includes interactive, visual depictions of implied sexual violence which are not justified by context. In addition, the game includes elements of illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards. Such depictions are prohibited by the computer games guidelines”.
Acting Director of the Classification Board, Donald McDonald mentioned that “apart from today’s decision, since the beginning of the year, the Board has classified 17 games R 18+ under the new guidelines”.
Saints Row IV has become the first game to be Refused Classification under the new Guidelines for the Classification of Computer Games that commenced at the start of this year. This has also placed doubt upon Deep Silver and its booth at PAX Australia, where Saints Row IV was to be one of the key games to be exhibited.
We will keep you up to date if we hear any further news about Saints Row IV in Australia.