Dismemberment removed from Left 4 Dead 2 to allow sale in Australia

The sequel to zombie slaying hit Left 4 Dead 2 has toned down its violence so it can be sold in Australia.

That nation’s Classification Board refused to give the game a rating last month because of decapitation, dismemberment and dead bodies remaining on the ground. Australia has no “Adult Only” (AO) classification for games as the ESRB does. If a game can’t make the MA15+ rating, it can’t be sold in Australia.

To earn a new rating, developer Valve took large amounts of gore out and dead bodies now vanish after they hit the ground. Valve is resubmitting the original version of the game and, if it ever receives a classification, Australian gamers will be able to download a free update for the edited version. The game’s melee weapons, which include chainsaws and axes, will remain in the game.

Left 4 Dead 2 has been a surprisingly controversial sequel so far. In additional to the problems in Australia, a group of diehard players started a boycott because they feel the sequel is a rehash and includes content promised for the original game.

[News.com.au] Via [GamePolitics] Also Read [Gamertell]