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Saints Row 4 banned in Australia over 'alien anal probe'

Alexandra Burlacu

The highly-touted Saints Row IV (or Saints Row 4) game has been banned in Australia and the official government report actually mentions the words "alien anal probe."

The Australian Classification Board refused to classify Saints Row IV, making it the very first video game to get Refused Classification under the recently-implemented R18+ ratings system. In other words, Australia banned the game over its "alien anal probe."

Kotaku was the first to break news that the Australian Classification Board banned Saints Row IV, and now the publication obtained a copy of the report. According to the Classification Board, the reasons behind this decision lie in implied sexual violence.

"The game includes a weapon referred to by the Applicant as an 'Alien Anal Probe." The Applicant states that this weapon can be 'shoved into enemy's backsides,'" explains the report. "The lower half of the weapon resembles a sword tilt and the upper part contains prong-like appendages which circle around what appears to be a large dildo which runs down the centre of the weapon. When using this weapon the player approaches a (clothed) victim from behind and thrusts the weapon between the victim's legs and then lifts them off the ground before pulling a trigger which launches the victim into the air. After the probe has been implicitly inserted into the victim's anus the area around their buttocks becomes pixelated highlighting that the aim of the weapon is to penetrate the victim's anus. The weapon can be used during gameplay on enemy characters or civilians."

"In the Board's opinion, a weapon designed to penetrate the anus of enemy characters and civilians constitutes a visual depiction of implied sexual violence that is interactive and not justified by context and as such the game should be Refused Classification."

Another main reason for Refused Classification, according to the report, is the use of illicit drugs. Saints Row IV has an optional mission during which the player has to obtain and smoke "alien narcotics," which grant them "superpowers." Those "alien narcotics" increase the player's in-game abilities and allows them to go through the mission more easily.

The Board seems very keen on its decision and, considering the nature of the content that drew the ban, Saints Row IV likely needs some substantial edits to the gameplay to change the Board's mind and reverse this ruling.

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