Saints Row 4 first game in series to be banned in Australia

During its time with THQ, Volition's Saints Row series never faced the criticisms that main inspiration Grand Theft Auto faced. Now being published by Deep Silver, the fourth game in the series may have ratings issues internationally. 

Acting Director of Australia's Classification Board Donald McDonald announced that Saints Row 4 has been refused classification in the country by exceeding what's permissible under the R18+ rating.

Saints Row 4's marks the first banning under the Classification of Computer Games guideline that began on the first of this year.  This means that the game can't be displayed or sold in Australia due to being classified as RC (Refused Classification).

The reasoning comes from the Board's opinion that Saints Row 4 features non-justifiable acts of violence and positive perks for drug use.

"In the Board's opinion, Saints Row IV, includes interactive, visual depictions of implied sexual violence which are not justified by context," the official decision said. " In addition, the game includes elements of illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards. Such depictions are prohibited by the computer games guidelines." 

Since the start of the new guidelines, 17 games have been given the R18+ classification. Those games include Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge and Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel. 

Volition can appeal the decision and according to the developer's official Twitter page, a launch is still in order.

"We are still planning on releasing SR4 in Australia and we hope to have more news on that front soon," tweeted Volition. 

Set for a Aug. 20 release on Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and PC in North America, Saints Row 4 is set after the events of Saints Row: The Third where instead of fighting over turf, the titler gang will battle aliens. 

It was announced this month that Saints Row 4 will feature some interesting pre-order bonuses for the game through the "Commander in Chief" and "Super Dangerous Wub Wub" Editions which features a Dubstep Gun replica.