Saints Row IV was recently banned in Australia, a territory that is notorious for banning violent or sexual games. The game was banned because it contained “implied sexual violence,” specifically referring to an Alien Anal Probe weapon that can be used in the game. The official report on the matter read as follows.
The game includes a weapon referred to by the Applicant as an ‘Alien Anal Probe’. The Applicant states that this weapon can be ‘shoved into enemy’s backsides’. The lower half of the weapon resembles a sword hilt and the upper part contains prong-like appendages which circle around what appears to be a large dildo which runs down the centre of the weapon.
When using this weapon the player approaches a (clothed) victim from behind and thrusts the weapon between the victim’s legs and then lifts them off the ground before pulling a trigger which launches the victim into the air. After the probe has been implicitly inserted into the victim’s anus the area around their buttocks becomes pixelated highlighting that the aim of the weapon is to penetrate the victim’s anus.
The weapon can be used during gameplay on enemy characters or civilians. In the Board’s opinion, a weapon designed to penetrate the anus of enemy characters and civilians constitutes a visual depiction of implied sexual violence that is interactive and not justified by context and as such the game should be Refused Classification.
In addition, the game also includes several drug references including “alien narcotics” which, after smoked, gives you super powers. Several missions also force you to participate in drug deals in order to obtain this alien contraband illegally.
The developers of the game, Volition, are working to create an Australia friendly version of the game as we speak. However, until then the pleasure of shoving a big purple dildo up someone’s ass will have to remain exclusive to the U.S. and Europe.
The gaming industry is weird, man. Super weird.
Source: Gamespot