Syndicate Revival Refused Classification In Australia

Starbreeze Studios' upcoming Syndicate revival has been refused classification in Australia, effectively banning the EA-published title from sale in the country. Syndicate was revealed earlier this year as a revival of the classic franchise, with a "brutal sci-fi first-person shooter" twist. The game is due to be released in February next year. The Australian Government Classification Board has refused classification for the title, stating that the game is "unsuitable for a minor to see or play." "The game contains violence that is high in impact and is therefore unsuitable for persons aged 18 years to play," it further explained in a decision report. It continues, "Combatants take locational damage and can be explicitly dismembered, decapitated or bisected by the force of the gunfire. The depictions are accompanied by copious bloodspray and injuries are shown realistically and with detail. Flesh and bone are often exposed while arterial sprays of blood continue to spirt from wounds at regular intervals." A number of other high-profile games have been banned in Australia this year under the classification guidelines, including the Mortal Kombat reboot from Warner Bros., and Dead or Alive for the Nintendo 3DS. The Australian Federal Government's current classification system for video games has caused much controversy this year. As of now, the highest rating is the MA15+ rating -- however, guidelines for a new R18+ rating were put forward earlier in the year. New South Wales attorney general Greg Smith later said he would support the new classification, however no decision has yet been made as to the fate of the new rating.