Saints Row IV Blocked from Sale in Australia Despite New R18+ Rating

Despite a recently introduced R18+ age rating Saints Row IV has been refused classification in Australia, meaning it won't go on sale in the territory.

A statement from the Classification Board reads: "In the Board’s opinion, Saints Row IV, includes interactive, visual depictions of implied sexual violence which are not justified by context. In addition, the game includes elements of illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards. Such depictions are prohibited by the computer games guidelines."

In the six months since the R18+ rating was introduced in Australia this is the first title to be refused classification. Prior to that, the highest rating was MA15+ and a number of mature games were refused that classification, meaning they could not go on sale.

“Apart from today’s decision, since the beginning of the year, the Board has classified 17 games R 18+ under the new guidelines,” acting director of the board, Donald McDonald said.