We all remember the drama a few weeks ago when Fallout 3 was denied classification in Australia due to the OLFC taking a dim view of players being able to freely administer morphine to the character in-game. Well, after a quick tune-up and a bit of rephrasing the game was eventually cleared for release. Now, Pete Hines, product manager for Fallout 3, has shared his thoughts on redressing the game repeatedly for different censorship regimes, describing the process as “frustrating”.

Speaking to CVG, he said, “In one place nudity is a big deal but violence is fine, and in another place drugs are a problem but nudity is fine.” He added, “I guess that’s the way of the world - not every country is the same. You’re not aiming at one target, you’re aiming at six different ones, worrying about how each one will feel about different things.”

Of course, a quick solution to this issue would be the adoption of the PEGI system, as many developers and publishers are pushing for. PEGI is a pan-European method of classification which currently runs alongside individual national institutions. Though a full roll-out of the system would see regional governments lose some control, it would streamline the whole process and make bringing a game to market far easier and efficient on all fronts.