Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure, Atari's imminent new release, an action title set in the world of graffiti art, has been banned in Australia, after the Office of Film & Literature Classification refused to give the game a ratings certificate. The game received an 'MA 15+' rating in November, but since then the ratings board have changed their minds about the game's controversial content.

Maureen Shelley, boss of the OFLC stated "It is the Classification Review Board's determination that this game promotes the crime of graffiti." Under the board's policy, any game that promotes or instructs on any crime will be refused classification, apparently. Unsurprisingly, Atari state they were happier with the original rating, and plan to appeal against the decision. They also hope to win the support of the Entertainment Association down-under.

The graffiti-theme of the new Marc Ecko game has caused something of a stir in other parts of the world too, with vocal critics also emerging in the UK and America. The likes of Manhunt and Grant Theft Auto have been banned in the past from Australian shelves, but Atari believe that this ruling could set a 'worrying' precedent.

By Luke Guttridge

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  1. Rebecca Unregistered 2 years ago

    As an Australian i think that this ban is absolutly Ridiculous and what makes it worse is the fact that the people from the OFLC really have no idea about what they are trying to classify.