I been a bit off the past few days, it's funny how the flu strikes again when the weather turns hotter, it's kept me mostly at home these past few days.

I still find it hard to believe that we are now well into December. I know it's very cliché, but I really can't believe where this year has gone. We put up the Christmas tree this afternoon, it feels like just a moth or so ago when we took it down after last Christmas.

This past week saw me finally cancel our Telstra Bigpond internet connection, after being mostly satisfied with the Netspace Naked ADSL2+ connection we've been running over the past month. The final straw was that the newly updated Bigpond plans did not provide any extra usage OR discount for users on the most common plans who do not have any other Telstra bundled services. This now marks the first time in my life now that I am not directly a Telstra user or customer. Good riddance I say, lets hope the splitting of the behemoth will come soon.

Meanwhile, the farce of video-game classification in this country continues with another high-profile title being refused classification (RC) and effectively banned.

This time it's the new anticipated Aliens vs. Predator game. See, usually once this happens, the developer/publisher goes back and edits some stuff out of the game, tones it down, and resubmits a much-changed version so that the game will actually get released here. The most recent example is the ridiculously toned down Left 4 Dead 2.

This time Rebellion (the developer), true to their name, has said they're not going to do that for Australia. In fact they go a step further saying:

Rebellion is disappointed that its upcoming title Aliens vs. Predator has been banned in Australia. However, as we understand the law in that country the authorities had no choice as we agree strongly that our game is not suitable for game players who are not adults.
...
The content of AVP is based on some of the most innovative and iconic horror movies, and as such we wanted to create a title that was true to the source material. It is for adults, and it is bloody and frightening, that was our intent. We will not be releasing a sanitised or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices.

Ouch. Harsh words, but couldn't be more truer considering we are basically the only developed nation in the world that doesn't have an adult rating for video games. It's good to see a developer speak up in such a way.

Like Left 4 Dead 2, it looks like another game will be added to the 'to import' list for many adult gamers.

It's hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel for this issue. It's funny how with most things, especially politically, politicians like to point out how some changes will keep up with those happening in the rest of the world, but in cases like this, certain individuals refuse to acknowledge it when argued against them.

One can hope though...