Left 4 Dead 2 refused classification by Australian gov't [Updated]

Australia, an ideal spot for vacations and extreme sports, home to some of the deadliest snakes and insects known to man.  Also a place with ridiculous censorship laws. 

Left 4 Dead 2 is the latest addition to Australia's ban list, at least for the time being.  The Aussie government's official classification website lists the game as "RC," meaning it has been refused classification like numerous other games deemed inappropriate for Australian shores. 

This rating (or lack thereof) was issued just yesterday, September 15.  If it L4D2 on that blacklist, then it can keep Risen and NecroVision company; if EA and Valve choose to appeal and are successful, Left 4 Dead 2 will be joining the likes of Silent Hill: Homecoming, Fallout 3, and other such titles that also managed to clear the ban after some tweaking -- yes, censorship.

Meanwhile, the Australian parliament, a club for old people who hate video games, is still waging an ongoing war to ban unrated games aka MMOs.  Diabolical!  Just don't tell them it's not actually working.

Update: A report on the decision has surfaced, detailing the reasons behind the classificiation:

* The game contains violence that is high in impact and is therefore unsuitable for persons aged under 18 to play.

* It notes that this violence is “inflicted upon ‘the Infected’ who are living humans infected with a rabies-like virus that causes them to act violently”.

* The report singles out the use of melee weapons as those that “inflict the most damage” and cause “copious amounts of blood spray and splatter (sic), decapitations and limb dismemberment.. or even cause intestines to spill from the wounds”.

* In conclusion, the Board finds that the “interactive nature of the game increases the overall impact of the frequent and intense depictions of violence. This coupled with the graphic depictions of blood and gore combine to create a playing impact which is high.”

* Interestingly, the report also reveals that it wasn’t a unanimous decision and that “a minority of the Board is of the opinion that the violence is strong in playing impact and therefore warrants an MA15+ classification” instead. However, the majority voted to refuse classification.