Dark Sector Unbanned In Oz

Just to show that Australia is a progressive nation the OLFC banned Dark Sector after it was initially submitted for ratings classification. Games Politics and PALGN is now reporting that the game has been resubmitted with significant changes and is now rated MA 15+.

The game has been developed by a small developer and they have modified the game so that it conforms to the OFLC's guidelines.

However, you have to ask the question. Could this have potentially opened up the game to a larger potential market and increased the earning potential of the game? While it would have cost the developer money to remove the content they can now reach a larger target audience (as long as the shops actually enforce the ratings system in the first place). Could this have been better for the game in the long run?

The same goes for GTA IV. By removing the content which the censors do not like the game is released in a lower rated category and should, therefore, open the game up to a larger audience than a R18+ market. This is something which is not really talked about by gamers. They are all lamenting the fact that the game is edited for their gaming enjoyment (personally, I don't understand what all the fuss is about ... the changes do not change the gameplay ... I don't really care if I don't get to see some explicit content ... big deal). Parents are not necessarily going to purchase an R18+ rated game for their children to play, but they are more likely to purchase a MA 15+ game. Surely this has to be better for game sales in the long run.

One of the major changes to Dark Sector was the removal of decaptitation. Sounds important to the gameplay, but something which has been available in other games. Makes you wonder why they were asked to remove it.