The game 'Rape Day & # 39; could be available for unclassified NZers – but the censor says that he has options

A new computer game called "Rape Day" lets you play the sociopathic rapist for the shot – and it's ready to be downloaded all over the world, including New Zealand, through the Steam's online gaming service. next month.

The promo page of Rape Day on Steam indicates that the game allows you to "control the choices of a serial killer rapist threatening in an apocalypse of zombies." Verbally harass, kill and rape women while you choose to do to advance the story. "

the Herald was able to log in to Valve and confirm its imminent availability without checking its age – although it is necessary to be logged in through an account with a credit card loaded.

Steam, owned by the American company Valve, has become one of the main ways to buy games in the era of online games. If any of the more than 150 million Steam users around the world wants to buy a hit game, such as the latest installment of Activision's Best Selling Call of Duty service, they connect to Steam, pay with their credit card and then download it. A trip to the mall to buy the game on disk is largely a thing of the past.

In the United States, Steam seems to be preparing for a defense of freedom of expression. This could go unnoticed in North America. Or maybe not. But as things stand, Rape Day will be available for download here

"Digital games such as those available on Steam do not have to be classified before being sold – unlike the games sold physically here," said Deputy Chief Censor Jared Mullen.

However, Mullen says his office will assess any complaint filed by a member of the public, the police or the department of the interior.

Mullen says that the classification of a game – for example (R16), R18 or "Objectionable" (that is to say banned) will then be transmitted to Steam.

The deputy chief of the censor said that Steam had cooperated with other controversial games, designating "Dead by Daylight" R16 and "Hatred" R18 for New Zealand users of his service.

And two games that have been banned here, "Criminal Girls"; and "Gal Gun: Double Peace" do not display for NZ Steam users.

If an offshore service like Steam did not cooperate, Mullen said his office would hand the case over to the police and the DIA. He notes that if a game was classified as Objectable, it would become illegal to download it. If a court finds that you have downloaded objectionable documents without knowing that they have been classified as objectionable, you may be fined up to $ 14,000. If it turns out that you have used it knowingly, you can be jailed until you are 14 years old.

The DIA has the power to block sites via the filter that it has installed at all major Internet service providers, although the filter is aimed primarily at children's operating equipment.

Mullen says that a member of the public who wants to complain about a computer game should use the submission form available at www.classificationoffice.govt.nz

Steam did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

What about Netflix?

Video streaming services like Netflix are in a similar situation, says Mullen.

Unlike a physical DVD disc sold in New Zealand, its content does not need to be classified by default – but the leader of the censor will respond to complaints from the public, the police or the DIA.

Mullen says this process has left both series of the original Netflix series 13 reasons in the course of classification R18.

Unlike a video game store or computer, there is no equivalent to an adult behind the counter to perform an audit of his age.

But Mullen says classifications have legal weight. He also stated that part of his office's role was to alert parents and the general public when he was noting a series like 13 reasons or forbid a match.