That's not a dildo bat, this is a dildo bat: The Australian Cut of Saints Row IV

After announcing its introduction of an R18+ rating to gaming, many Australian gamers thought that this would herald a new age in the vice-like censorship that had a healthy grip on our countries’ marble pouch. Finally there was a light at the end of the tunnel. 

However, as most of you know, Saints Row IV came under the crosshairs of the Australian Classification Board due to its touching on topics such as sexual assault, drugs and general butt-stuff. It was refused classification, and Australian gamers sighed and sagged back into their seats. We weren’t even angry, we were just disappointed.

R18+: Why are we running in place?

For a long time, it looked like us Aussies were just going to have to deal with it. Reservoir Dogs, Left For Dead 2, Blitz: The League and a slew of other games have all been refused classification or censored in Australia for reasons ranging from violence, drug use, and sexual themes.

The most likely explination – and where I think most of us disgruntled young adults pointed the finger – was the lack of an R18+ rating on video games. A hangover from the view of video games being toys for kids that resonated through our culture.