Source: A highly literate and seemingly Aussie games classification system-aware user on the GameSpot PC Forums.

　　What we heard: Australia's game classification regime is known the world over for its strictness, with the lack of a comprehensive rating system resulting in any games deemed unsuitable for someone 15 years old banned for sale down under. Just last week, Shellshock 2 was refused classification in Australia due to its violent content.

　　If a user on GameSpot PC Forums is to be believed, then Australia's ratings regime may be about to claim its highest profile victim for 2008 so far. According to the original post, upcoming post apocalyptic action role-playing game Fallout 3 has been refused classification in Australia due to in-game drug use.

　　The original poster claims the in-game use of morphine has irked Australia's Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC). Australia's game classification rules state that titles that "depict, express or otherwise deal 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" will be refused classification. Under Australian law, computer games can be given a maximum classification of MA15+, as opposed to film or DVDs, which can carry up to an R18+ rating (the R rating prohibits sales to anyone under the age of 18 years old). Any games that do not fit under the OFLC's definition of MA15+ are refused classification.

　　Drug use is not uncommon in the Fallout universe. The two previous games in the series both featured significant drug use, particularly of the in-game substance known as Jet. In Fallout 1 and 2, players could take a wide range of drugs both to boost health and character attributes. Both games were freely available for sale in Australia and were rated M.

　　The official story: Red Ant Enterprises--the game's distributors in Australia--responded with a flat "no comment" when contacted by GameSpot AU. Coincidentally, Red Ant was also the distributors for Blitz: The League, which was also banned in Australia in early 2007. Blitz was refused classification due to its in-game drug use.

　　When GameSpot AU then contacted the OFLC, we were told no final decision had been made on Fallout 3, although the game had been submitted for classification. Fallout 3 is scheduled to hit Australia in October 2008 on the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. The OFLC spokesperson said when a final decision is made, details will be made available on the OFLC Web site within 24 hours. (No such details had been published at the time of posting this article.)

　　Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus for now, given the OFLC's official statement to GameSpot AU. But given Australia's track record, we'll be keeping a close eye on this situation and inform you with more details as they come to hand. For more information on Australia's game classification system, check out our special Censory Overload feature.