‘MeiQ: Labyrinth of Death’ Effectively Banned in Australia

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https://heatst.com/tech/meiq-labyrinth-of-death-effectively-banned-in-australia/

‘MeiQ: Labyrinth of Death’ Effectively Banned in Australia

 

 

By William Hicks|12:21 pm, June 22, 2016

The Land Down Under has refused a rating classification for the Japanese game,MeiQ: Labyrinth of Death, effectively banning it from sale, according to KotakuAustralia. What is bizarre about the incident, however, is that the game has already received a T rating (as in Teen, 13 years and up) in the US. It can almost be considered a children’s game.

Australia’s rating board has only given its boilerplate explanation they give for all games they refuse classification: The game deals with “matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena in such a way that they offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults.”

From what we know of the game, its seems pretty tame. The most notable feature is the impossibly endowed female characters in skimpy outfits. This “sexual objectification” is probably the most likely reason for the rating boards decision.

 

  

 

French and British politicians are flirting with the idea of censuring or labeling games perceived as sexist. Australia may already succeeded in banning one without changing any existing laws.

In the past, the rating board has refused classification for Hotline Miami 2 for what appeared to be a rape scene, and the country didn’t even have an 18+ rating until 2013.

MeiQ‘s creator, Idea Factory, said in December that it is done censoring games for Western audiences as it compromises their artistic integrity. This new ban in Australia will probably only cement its decision.

Do you think MeiQ: Labyrinth of Death is too taboo for the West? Check out the trailer for yourself.

 

Trigger Warning: Australians look away!