We now know why Outlast 2 was refused classification

We had reported yesterday that Outlast 2 was refused classification in Australia. But new information has now come about that gives us a much better understanding as to how this all came to be.

The board’s decision, to refuse classification, comes from multiple scenes where the main character Blake is sexually assaulted. The scenes occur when Blake and his wife go to investigate a cult during the game’s story with the assailant being a female cult member.

The following report comes courtesy of Kotaku Australia:

“In one cut-scene in the game … a female creature prepares Blake for a ritual. She says, “I want to see your true face. Your seed will burn this world.” Shortly afterwards, he objects to having psycho-active dust blown into his face, yelling, “Nope! Nope!” before he stumbles into a forest clearing.

His vision blurring, he witnesses what appears to a ritualistic orgy. His wife, Lynn, calls out for his help, saying, “It hurts! Oh god!,” as she hangs from chains on a raised platform at the front of the clearing. Humanoid creatures, their skin grey, spattered with blood and scarred, implicity have sex as others pray, or chant, or gesticulate.

One creature has another bent over a rock, thrusting as they implicitly have rear-entry sex, another sits astride the pelvic region of a creature prone on the ground, moving their hips rhythmically as they too implicitly have sex. Two other pairs of creatures in the clearing are also implicitly having sex.

As Blake yells for the creatures to “Get away from her!” a female creature, her greyish breasts bared, pushes him onto his back, holds his arms to the ground and repeatedly thrusts her crotch against him. As Blake protests, saying “No! Stop that!” the creature thrusts again, before placing its face over his midsection and then sitting up and wiping its mouth.

Although much of the contact between the creature and Blake is obscured, by it taking place below screen, the sexualised surroundings and aggressive behavior of the creature suggest that it is an assault which is sexual in nature. The Board is of the opinion that this, combined with Blake’s objections and distress, constitutes a depiction of implied sexual violence.

In the Board’s opinion, the above example constitutes a depiction of implied sexual violence and therefore cannot be accommodated within the R18+ classification category and the game is therefore Refused Classification.” 

It can be noted that “without the depiction of implied sexual violence listed above”, Outlast 2 would potentially be eligible for a R18+ rating. Could the sexual assault therefore become a scene removed from the Australian version of the game? Developer Red Barrel are yet to comment on the matter.

Do you agree with this decision? Will you still buy the game if it is altered?