While Valve claims it is appealing the refusal of classification for its upcoming title Left 4 Dead 2 in Australia, the developer has submitted a censored version for consideration as a back-up plan.

Left 4 Dead 2

The Australian Classification Board recently denied the game classification on account of its “high-impact violence”.Where the game may have received an R18 rating in other countries, the Australian system currently does not include one.

Valve's Gabe Newell claims that the censored version is “fully compliant with the guidelines” specified by the Australian Classification Board for a 15+ rating.

However, Newell says it is Valve's intention to release this version in Australia only in the event that their appeal is unsuccessful."Our goal is not to ship this second version," said Newell. The goal, of course, is to get the original version through the Board via the appeal process. If that fails, then the edited version is the back-up plan.” "We think Left 4 Dead 2 is a lot of fun," said Newell.

"It's a game for adults. But we're aware that different countries have different restrictions, and we want to make the choices that make the game the most fun for that country."There is a chance that an edited version of Left 4 Dead 2 may see distribution in New Zealand, despite the fact that New Zealand's classification system does indeed include an R18 rating.

A precedent has been set by Grand Theft Auto IV, of which an edited version was distributed in Australia. Owing to distribution complications, New Zealand retail stores received the same edited version as Australian stores .

UPDATE - 11.52am: Electronic Arts New Zealand has confirmed to Game Console that the censored version detailed above will not affect the New Zealand situation, where an unedited version of Left 4 Dead 2 has been submitted to the New Zealand Office of Film and Literature Classification.