Fallout 3, the long-awaited third instalment in the gritty, post-apocalyptic Fallout series, has been banned from sale within Australia.
Australia's Office of Film and Literature Classification — the government body responsible for rating films, videos, computer games and publications before they are released onto the Australian market — has refused classification to the game. This is due to the possibility of drug use by the main character, according to alleged OFLC documents posted at Australiangamer.com.
Both Fallout and Fallout 2 prominently featured drug use, particularly of the fictional psychotropic drug Jet. Other drugs were available within the game, with their use having both positive and negative impacts on the character, including social exclusion for becoming addicted. In the first two Fallout games the character was also able to administer 'stimpacks' to restore health.
Australia doesn't have any adults-only classifications for video game content. R 18+ and X 18+ ratings are possible for video and film content, but there is no equivalent for interactive content like games. If a computer game is deemed to require a classification about MA 15+, then it is refused classification completely and can't be sold within Australia.
Fallout 3 is distributed by Red Ant Enterprises — responsible for the release of Blitz: The League in 2007, which was also refused classification. Fallout 3 was due to be released in Australia in October.
