The subject of video game censorship has been something that Australians, as of late, are no strangers to. Our country has one of the most backwards outlook on video games. They are seen as kids play things. Yet they aren't. They are a creative medium of entertainment and should be given the same treatment as a book or movie.
If your version of any Sony published game is listed in the XMB before launching as Name (Europe) or Name (UK) then most likely you've gotten a censored version.
The startling thing about The Last of Us' censorship is (and this is the point that really cuts to the bone) is that there was no mention of it at all. Yes its just the multiplayer but we pay for the whole package. When Twisted Metal released news coverage was widespread that all PAL regions got a slightly modified version because of Germany's strict laws. Series creator David Jaffe was not shy about his discontent saying that it was an entirely Sony decision and if he had his way everyone would get the same version.
That game didn't sell as well as it should have and Sony's decision to prevent any mention of a censored version of The Last of Us might have been justified from a sales perspective. But it was going to happen regardless of Twisted Metal's revenue. A more recent title like God of War Ascension had bits censored (despite much gorier scenes being uncensored). There was no official mention of censorship and Sony couldn't have cared less about publicising any changes as long as the title could sell.
Censorship is here to stay in one form or another but what has happened here is not as simple as what has happened to say, Saints Row IV or State of Decay. Those were submitted in full with all content first, THEN they were knocked back. For drug use and sex toys. Not violence. What Sony has been doing is pre-emptively censoring gore and violence before submission to ratings boards. What does that get them? It saves them the resubmission fee they would have to pay if a censored version is the only option after its refused classification. But the old saying goes that the customer is always right and the customers have become victims of tiny savings (that may not even exist) on Sony's end.
The fact that there was no submission of the full uncensored version completely removes the ability of the customers to try and make a difference. Here in Australia, we had so many quality titles being banned. We rallied and made a difference. We voted and got the R18+ rating that should have been available to video games in the country a long time ago. Sony has taken away our ability to make change by presuming the worst whether it happens or not. Would the uncensored version have been refused classification in the first place? In Germany maybe. But with the new R18+ rating in Australia there wouldn't have been a problem.
Shame on you Sony. You've sidestepped 5 years of progress on Australian shores by making the R18+ rating obsolete. I can't imagine how the rest of Europe feels. We can only hope that publishers like Deep Silver keep fighting for the right to offer all customers complete content regardless of the fees they could incur.
To Naughty Dog: Grow some balls and stick up for your product. Generic statements about unified European standards (that aren't even a real thing by the way) and that you can't do anything about it are what separate you from the David Jaffe's of the industry. He made us aware and gave us the choice to import all because he had a voice and loved his product for all it was worth.
If you would like to get some more information about the censorship or join in with the discussion please visit the official Playstation forum thread here:
The Last of Us Censorship Compared
