Soldier of Fortune: Payback
Prod Activision / 2007 / USA / Official Site
Activision had this game Refused Classification on October 16th 2007.
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Board Report
T07/4979
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995
Classification Board
DETAILS OF THE
COMPUTER GAME
File No T07/4979
Processing Date: 16/10/2007
Title: SOLDIER OF FORTUNE: PAYBACK
Version: Original
Format: Multi Platform
Duration: VARIABLE
Publisher: ACTIVISION
Programmer: ACTIVISION
Production Co: Not Shown
Country of Origin: USA
Language: English
Application Type: Comp Game Assessed Level 1
Applicant: ACTIVISION
PROCEDURE
The Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995,
the National Classification Guidelines and the Classification Guidlines
approved by the standing Committee of Attorneys-General, are followed when
classifying films.
Item Viewed: YES
Viewing Date: 16/10/2007
Written Submission: NO
Oral Submission: NO
MATERIAL
CONSIDERED
In classifying this item regard was had to the following.
(i)
The Application YES
(ii) A written synopsis of the item YES
(iii) The Item YES
(iv) Other NO
DECISION
(1) Classification: RC
(2) Consumer Advice:
(3) Key:
(4) Ratified By:
Board Report TO7/4979
SYNOPSIS:
The item is a computer game in the first-person shooter genre. The player
controls a character named Mason who is a mercenary and must complete 14
missions spanning 5 locations in which the player combats mercenaries belonging
to a sinister organisation called the Varangian Group. The game may be played in
single or multiplayer mode.
REASONS FOR THE DECISION:
When making decisions, the Classification Board (the Board) follows the
procedures set out in the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer
Games) Act 1995 (the Act). The Board also 'applies the National Classification
Code and the Classification Guidelines, while taking into account the matters
set out in section II of the Act.
In the Board's view this game warrants an 'RC' classification in accordance with item 1(d) of the computer games table of the National Classification Code:
1. Computer games that:
(d) are unsuitable for a minor
to see or play;" will be Refused Classification.
The game contains violence that
is high in impact and the game is therefore unsuitable for persons aged under 18
years to play. The violence takes place in the context of confrontations between
the player's character, Mason, and the opposing mercenaries encountered in each
of the game's missions.
Mason uses a variety of
firearms, including shotguns, automatic rifles and pistols, to kill the enemy
mercenaries. Successfully shooting an opponent results in the depiction of'
blood spray. When the enemy is shot from close range the blood spray is
substantial, especially when a high-caliber weapon is used, and blood splatters
onto the ground and walls in the environment. The player may target various
limbs of the opponents and this can result in the limb being dismembered. Large
amounts of blood spray forth from the stump with the opponent sometimes
remaining alive before eventually dying from the wounds.
Blood remains on the ground as
do the dead bodies. Dead bodies on the ground may be repeatedly attacked. The
limbs may be shot off, resulting in large amounts of blood spray and the
depiction of torn flesh and protruding bone from the dismembered limb. Shooting
the head of a body will cause it to explode in a large spray of blood, leaving a
bloody stump above the shoulders. Bodies will eventually disappear from the
environment.
Violent encounters of the type
described above are frequent throughout the game and this contributes to the
impact.
The Board notes that the game
includes a Violence setting. When this is set to "off", blood and
dismemberment depictions are reduced. .
DECISION
This game is Refused Classification.
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Censors ban 'Soldier Of Fortune: Payback' for excessive violence. News.com.au 18.10.07
The game, Soldier Of Fortune: Payback contained “high impact violence” that was too high to receive a classification from the board, a spokeswoman for the Classifications Board told NEWS.com.au.
“(The decision was based on) the different ways a player could maim and injure (other characters),” the spokeswoman said.
“The violence is seen to exceed the MA classification.”
The Classifications Board spokeswoman said the 50 Cent: Bulletproof game, which was refused classification in 2005, contained a similar level of violence.
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Game censors go for the jugular. SMH 18.10.07
The IEAA has long campaigned against what it says is a draconian and illogical game censorship regime. There has long been an R18+ classification for movies and the IEAA says both movies and games should have a common rating system.
But when asked to comment on the Soldier of Fortune decision, IEAA CEO Chris Hanlon refused to comment, saying he had not yet seen the board's report. The game's publisher, Activision, also declined to comment.
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Minor priority. The Age 19.10.07
Australia's current classification regime is ultimately the responsibility of Attorney-General Philip Ruddock, although change requires the unanimous support of state Attorneys-General before a bill can be tabled before parliament.
The full response from Mr Ruddock to questions posed by SMH technology journalist Asher Moses regarding the Soldier of Fortune: Payback decision and the need for an R18+ classification is below:
"Decisions on significant classification policy issues such as this must be agreed unanimously by the Australian, State and Territory Censorship Ministers. Censorship Ministers discussed the R18+ classification for computer games at their November 2005 meeting and decided not to introduce an R18+ classification at this time. Further work is being done by officers and consideration will be given at another time.
"I am aware of research into game-playing trends in Australia, including findings that indicate some support for an R18+ classification for computer games. I also understand that industry is making technical advances on platforms that may help to prevent children accessing games suitable only for adults (ie parental locks). However these protections do not yet extend to all the gaming platforms currently available.
"I am aware that on 16 October 2007 the Classification Board classified the computer game Soldier of Fortune: Payback RC (Refused Classification). I have been advised that the computer games (sic) features violence that exceeds a strong playing impact and is unsuitable for a minor to see or play.
"Due to concerns about the 'interactive' nature of computer games and the impact on, and potential for harm to, minors, MA 15+ is the highest classification."
******
Activision modified the game and on November 21st 2007 it was passed with an MA15+ (Strong violence, Coarse language and sexual references, Gaming experience may change online) rating.
According to Activision Australia:
"....the revised version of the game featured reduced rag doll physics, no dismemberment with enemies (alive or dead), and toned down blood effects."
Activision Press Release
November 22nd 2007
Australian gamers will soon be able to battle through some of the world's most dangerous hotspots as a revised version of Soldier of Fortune® Payback has been granted classification by the Office of Film and Literature Classification. This revised version has been classified as MA 15+ (Strong violence, Coarse language and sexual references) and meets the rating requirements as stated by the OFLC.
Soldier of Fortune Payback thrusts players into adrenaline-pumping mercenary combat action after a routine escort mission goes horribly wrong. The game evolves the signature gameplay of its predecessors with refined controls, tension-packed warzones, and an enemy damage system that may be shocking even to experienced FPS players. Players are armed with an impressive arsenal of more than 30 weapons, including sub-machine guns, assault rifles, and projectile explosives, as they hunt down an insidious enemy that respects neither laws, nations, nor armies. The game also offers individual and team based online modes including: Death Match, Team Death Match, Elimination, Team Elimination, Capture the Flag and Demolition.
Soldier of Fortune Payback will be available early 2008 for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for a suggested retail price of $79.95, the PC for $49.95 and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system for $89.95.
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Thanks to Chris for this review of the uncut version of the game, and a comparison between the violence in it, and other games that have passed with MA15+ ratings.
You play as a mercenary who is hunting down a variety of terrorists and bad guys, you know the usual stuff. The violence in SOLDIER OF FORTUNE: PAYBACK is of a very comical nature. It's hard to take it seriously and such was the intention of developer, Cauldron. As Cauldron have stated during pre-production they viewed various pieces of footage of real life shootings and gory moments hoping to bring a much more realistic feel to the SOLDIER OF FORTUNE series while somewhat still maintaining the comical, bloody style the previous games have become known for. However they eventually determined that doing so would remove the intentionally comical elements and bring the game into a far more disturbing realm. Hence the game is full of ridiculous blood spray and out right stupid dismemberment. How the OFLC saw fit to ban the game is beyond me as the gore is just down right unrealistic and blatantly comical. It is on par with gore seen in games such as DEAD RISING. If anything the OFLC should have banned the previous two games as the gore seen earlier in the SOLDIER OF FORTUNE series is more realistic and disturbing than that seen in PAYBACK. Although compared to real life it is still extremely comical. PAYBACK utilizes the well known Ragdoll physics and implements a "calibre" based gore system. Meaning the bigger your gun, the more gore and blood spray. You can choose from a variety of weapons all of which trigger pretty much exactly same type of damage. For example if you're shooting at someone with a conventional Assault Rifle blood will be spurting out quite a lot. Hit their leg and it'll fly off, hit their arm and it'll fly off, hit their head and it'll disappear in a cloud of blood spray. Keep shooting after they're dead and eventually nothing but a torso will be left and blood will be absolutely all over the place. Sometimes a terrorist will fall to the ground but keep shooting for a little bit as he's dying. Blowing his ass away produces even more blood spray and dismemberment, but as I said it's all very comical.
If you choose to try out a Shotgun expect blood and limbs flying everywhere. One blast will knock a guy across the street. But the real fun comes when you start blasting a dead body; you can just keep shooting a guy down the street or around a room until there's a huge trail of limbs and blood. He'll flop around like a "ragdoll" while bleeding all over the place. But due to the comical nature of the violence none of the deaths appear painful or distressing in anyway. It's just well….pointless gory violence. The games violence consists only of running from point A to B shooting and causing lots of blood spray/dismemberment. There aren't any gory cut-scenes or scripted moments in the game to speak off. Disappointingly though, headshots merely consist of the head in question disappearing in a blood spurt. There are no decapitations or shattered skulls in PAYBACK. Like in the GRAND THEFT AUTO games heads just disappear when you shoot them. Using an explosive weapon such as a grenade or an RPG will cause your enemy to become nothing more than a bloody torso. Limbs will fly off, blood splatter will on the sidewalk and you'll be left with nothing. As I said all of the violence in the game is in the end all exactly the same. Different weapons produce different amounts of gore but the core of the violence is still identical in every possible scenario. Whether it be a pistol, a sniper rifle, a submachine gun or a heavy machine gun. Occasionally you'll notice a bone sticking out of the stump where an arm or leg used to be but for the most part it's all pretty much the same Swiping someone across the face with your hunting knife as they charge at you is surprisingly unsatisfying. Unlike in the previous SOF games you can't actually throw knives at people. All you can do is swipe. There will be a little blood squirt and they'll flop to the ground. No actual wounds or bullet holes are visible. A dark red patch of blood will merely fill where ever you shoot someone. After having played through the game I can tell you that it gets old fairly quickly and the game in general gets old really quickly as it is overall quite a poor game. Without the gore there would be zero point in playing it. I fail to see why a version removing dismemberment and containing less blood spray was even submitted to the OFLC because nobody will want to play it. The game is bad enough as it is but without the gore it would be absolutely horrendous. Overall the banning of SOLDIER OF FORTUNE seems to highlight yet again just how inconsistent the OFLC can be in making classification decisions. Games such as DEAD RISING, GEARS OF WAR and previous SOLDIER OF FORTUNE games are all about on par with PAYBACKS extreme violence.
