Leisure Suit Larry banned in Australia

[GGKoul]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/10/11/news_6110243.html

[Santoro]

Wow, I thought we were prudes in the US!
 

[Hoagie_one]

absurd

do you guys only get disney movies their too?

[Dartful Dodger]

After Mark Latham is elected AustraliaPrime, this nonsense will stop.

[mattv]

Mark Latham lost the election by a huge margin :-(

4 more years of crazy censorship ahoy!

[Dartful Dodger]

You could move to the US, if our elections go well, we'll have 4 more years of freedom.  Unfortunately Cheney has one foot in the grave already, so after Bush finishes his last term the US will be up for grabs.

[shmokes]

Dartful, are you crazy.  When it comes to legislating guns, sure, Bush represents four more years of freedom.  If we're talking about regulating obscenity, freedom of speech, strip clubs, prostitution, or violence and sex in movies and videogames*, that's Republican territory.

I'm pretty sure your thinking of libertarians, Dartful.  

*Admittedly, Leiberman led an assault on stricter laws regarding access to videogames containing sex or violence, but he's an exception to the norm (and a moron).

[Dartful Dodger]

If we're talking about regulating ....

Regulating is the keyword, Kerry is just going to ban.

[shmokes]

Kerry's going to ban Leisure Suit Larry?  What in the name of god are you talking about?

[fredster]

Why don't we tell them about Danny_Galaga.

He's obviously subversive.  

[cdbrown]

Thankfully my xbox is chipped so I can still get this game - and will eventually.  Problem is the censorship board doesn't have adult ratings - if something is not suitable - in their opinion - for teenagers then they can't give it classification.  If they put an adults only level like they have for movies and music then it would all be fine.

So ultimately they feel it's only children and teenagers that play video games.  Our rating system
G - General
PG - Parental Guidance
M - Mature
MA15+ - Mature Audiences above 15 (illegal to sell this rating to anyone under 15)
R18+ - Restricted to 18 and over - currently not available to games which is where the problem lies with LSL and Manhunt
X18+ - Restricted to 18 and over, contains explicit sex - only applicable to films and only these films can be purchased from our nations capital Canberra.  All other states don't allow sale of this rating.

[microwrx]

absurd

do you guys only get disney movies their too?

Hmm, coming from someone who lives in a country where you need to watch cable to see movies without the language edited out.

When your TV, movie and rock stars come here and get interviewed they are extrememly surprised they are allowed to use the word sh!t on radio and TV.  And you reckon our censorship laws are stupid (well they are but that's beside the point).

[Mameotron]

When your TV, movie and rock stars come here and get interviewed they are extrememly surprised they are allowed to use the word sh!t on radio and TV.  And you reckon our censorship laws are stupid (well they are but that's beside the point).

Now that's something to brag about.  How very cosmopolitan.

[Floyd10]

Well Am I the only one that noticed this quote:

"Try as he might, Larry Lovage won't be going Down Under anytime soon"

HOW HILARIOUS IS THAT!?

[microwrx]

Just a note.  My comments weren't meant to indicate our censorship laws are any better than that of the US but to highlight that we both have varying levels of stupidity in our countries handling of censorship.

[TOK]

Dartful, are you crazy.  When it comes to legislating guns, sure, Bush represents four more years of freedom.  If we're talking about regulating obscenity, freedom of speech, strip clubs, prostitution, or violence and sex in movies and videogames*, that's Republican territory.

I'm pretty sure your thinking of libertarians, Dartful.  

*Admittedly, Leiberman led an assault on stricter laws regarding access to videogames containing sex or violence, but he's an exception to the norm (and a moron).

So did Al Gore's wife Tipper, with the PMRC. They were intent on censoring music, but settled for ratings. Had Gore been elected, I think this would have been her "Pet Project" and pushed to the forefront again.

As a gun owner and someone who hates the Welfare Mentality, I vote Republican, but only because I see them as the lesser evil. Both do things I dislike.

[fredster]

I don't think we have much censorship in the US, if any.

We ban very little.  Child porn and how to's on building neuclear weapons with schematics.  Otherwise, the airwaves can basically broadcast what they want except for nudity and a few words.

On cable, you can get lots. After that you can buy lots.

If you can't find it in the US, then it is either really lame or it is really gross or totally stupid.

Otherwise, I'd say the US one of the least censored countries in the world.

But again, I add that there should be some investigation of Danny_Galaga. I do really believe he is subversive.

[GGKoul]

Otherwise, I'd say the US one of the least censored countries in the world.

The FCC is changing that... You get fined if you say a "bad" word on TV or if you speak about something that doesn't agree with some people...

[Mameotron]

The FCC is changing that... You get fined if you say a "bad" word on TV or if you speak about something that doesn't agree with some people...

Nope.  On cable or satellite you can say whatever you want.  Did you see why Howard Stern is moving to satellite?

[patrickl]

I don't think we have much censorship in the US, if any.
<snip>
Otherwise, the airwaves can basically broadcast what they want except for nudity and a few words.

That's just it, censoring is on public channels. Of course there is no censorship on private connections.

All major TV events are now transmitted with a 30 seconds delay so they can censor the show! There aren't many countries (if any) that have to go through such lengths to prevent being fined by the censors.

Otherwise, I'd say the US one of the least censored countries in the world.

You only know america. How could you know how this is outside the US? I don't know either of course but from the incidents we hear about the US, it is one of the most censored countries I know. It's just not on politics, but on more mundane things like nudity and language.

[fredster]

You know, you are right.  I haven't.

I really never wanted to leave the US.  Even when I was in the Army I made the deals that kept me in the US.

I was afraid of diseases.

[GGKoul]

The FCC is changing that... You get fined if you say a "bad" word on TV or if you speak about something that doesn't agree with some people...

Nope.  On cable or satellite you can say whatever you want.  Did you see why Howard Stern is moving to satellite?

Yes, he's moving to Satellite because of the censorship on his show.  What happened to.. if you don't like the show, change the channel.

[patrickl]

You know, you are right.  I haven't.

I really never wanted to leave the US.  Even when I was in the Army I made the deals that kept me in the US.

I was afraid of diseases.

He, he, I know the feeling (well for me it's the Netherlands and I in fact DO leave it now and then, but I don't go to countries that require shots).

OT: Actually, I suffered the worst disease during one of my stays in the US. I think the call it "obecity". I gained 8 kilos (that's something like 16 pounds isn't it?) during a three week stay in Florida  Actually, now that I think about it, I was in California for 3 months and I suffered a severe tan too! Damn it's dangerous there  

OK that was completely OT and also a load of drivel, but hey, (soft)drugs are legal here, so what do you expect!

[shmokes]

You know, you are right.  I haven't.

I really never wanted to leave the US.  Even when I was in the Army I made the deals that kept me in the US.

I was afraid of diseases.

sad

[Mameotron]

if you're worried about diseases, then come to australia!! we have less than you guys. actually cuba does too but i'm not sure how you'd cope going to a country that has no mcdonalds  

There's still something very satisfying for an American to eat at McDonalds in Moscow.

Although, I must say that in St. Petersburg it is a wise choice to avoid the water.

[Floyd10]

GOING DOWN UNDER!!! HAHAHAHAHA

[namzep]

The FCC is the most worthless organization in the US (and that's saying alot).  

[Floyd10]

^^^ pretty true. But it keeps the conservatives at bay.

[Harry Potter]

There's still something very satisfying for an American to eat at McDonalds in Moscow.

That's a nice way to ruin a holiday. Yeeeuch.  

[wrxh8r]

what i find weird is that australia bans nudity or sexual themes over violence.surely nudity is better than violence.(im talking gta vs manhunt)

[reactive2k]

I never knew what this game was, I saw the title a couple of time.. But used to i think it was a kid's game   i mean, Leisure suit larry lol i dunno still sounds lieka kids game

[SirPoonga]

I don't think we have much censorship in the US, if any.
<snip>
Otherwise, the airwaves can basically broadcast what they want except for nudity and a few words.

That's just it, censoring is on public channels. Of course there is no censorship on private connections.

All major TV events are now transmitted with a 30 seconds delay so they can censor the show! There aren't many countries (if any) that have to go through such lengths to prevent being fined by the censors.

This is true.  US does major censoring in media.  Free speech my arse.

Ok, case in point, go get a copy of a US version of Cowboy Bebop.  NOW go get the riginal in japanese (with english subtitles.  You will see how much censorship the US does.  

Talking anime, you probably heard of Dragonball Z.  Kids are into it here in the US.  I've seen a japanese uneditted version, there's swearing and nudity in that.  But since that is filtered out it's a kids show over here.

I mean, look at all the ruckus over Janet jackson and the super bowl... it really wan't that big of a deal.

[wrxh8r]

^^^your right ive seen bigger

[SpamMe]

For the record, the EU version of Leisure Suit Larry contains frontal nudity, where the US version relies on liberal use of a 'censored' bar.

[Mameotron]

Sir P, you're oversimplifying WAY too much.  There are other reasons besides censorship as to why a company releases a different version of a product in the US.
Marketing is a key reason.

If the makers of Dragonball Z want to release the full version with nudity in the US, they are allowed to do so.  But they would be limiting themselves to a very small market of anime fans.  If they remove the nudity they can now reach the kids market, and create more profit.  What would you do, keep it intact for artistic integrity, or try to appeal to a broader market and increase your profits?

Just who exactly is "they" that censor import titles?  Apparently "they" have no problems with nudity in Playboy, Hustler, Vivid Video, etc., etc.  I would like to see some proof that these things are censored in the US, not just speculation.  Do the companies do this for marketing reasons, or can they release it as is, even if it is only to a mature audience?  Remember, you are crying censorship when this may not be that case at all.

[fredster]

Censorship is a moral standard.

I can see why you think we are prudes if you don't have any morals.

It's quite understandable if you live with no morals to think things are too sensored.

The difference is that this material in the US has controlled viewership.  Some of it is Banned, as well it should be.  I don't think anybody thinks being a pedifile is a good thing in the world, do they?  

But we have leisure Suit Larry and you don't.

Again - Sooooorrrry you live outside of the US.  Maybe if you are good boy and live a good life you can be reincarnated as a US born citizen.

Until then, enjoy.

[Dartful Dodger]

United States is a melting pot, all different cultures live here, so we keep readjusting our censorship to accommodate everyone.  In some cultures women need to be covered from head to toe, in some cultures people walk around naked, so we find the medium.

We live a country that respects and accepts all people, so we need to have limits.

...just don

[shmokes]

Why not just let your much vaunted "invisible hand" take care of it.  Afterall, don't conservative values say that CBS will self-censor when they see their ratings plummet in the aftermath of the superbowl, as right-minded parents and other moral people around the country start blocking CBS to avoid any further nipple exposure?

I love hard-line religeous conservatives.  It's impossible for them not be hypocrites.  Of course, that's also what makes me hate them.

[Mameotron]

Wel, I guess it's time to delve into semantics.

What I call 'censorship' is when the government says, hey, you are not allowed to sell that.  There IS censorship in America, nobody is allowed to sell child porn, and bestiality is illegal in many states.  That's really the extent of it.  There may be things you can buy in other places that you can't buy here, but I don't believe that is due to censorship.  See my previous post regarding the marketability of such items.

When the government says, you have to put your magazines in plastic bags with black rectangles on certain areas, I do not call  that censorship for two important reasons:
1) You are still allowed to sell it
2)  I am still allowed to buy it
There are rules the government sets in place on how those items can be publically displayed; this does not fit my view for censorship.

You also have to realize that cities DO have the right to make local laws that seem to overstep federal guidelines.

For example:  A new strip club (titty bar, whatever you want to call it) opened up in a suburb near me.  The city council immediately voted to ban all types of adult entertainment within city limits.  Now, they could not stop the place that was already open, but they can prohibit other places from opening.  Larry Flint's lawer came to town, crying censorship, and filed a lawsuit in federal court.  When it finally went before the judge he deliberated for about a half an hour and told them, too  bad, the law stands.  (Ironically, the bar was shut down because of gross liquor law violations, and went up for sale soon after.)

The point is, if a group of people in a city get together and pass a law for the common good of those people, it will stand.  We can outlaw all porn altogether, or we can allow all forms of it.  To say that the government censors porn is really not a wholly accurate description.

Nobody yet has told me who censors porn in the US and what the laws are concerning porn.  Yet you still claim censorship based on your experiences.

[patrickl]

Censorship is a moral standard.

I can see why you think we are prudes if you don't have any morals.

Perhaps, but then don't claim the US is one of the least censored countries when clearly it is one of the most censored countries.

We have plenty of morals outside the us, however our moral is not "Everything is ok as long as noone else knows about it."