Disco Elysium: The Final Cut was announced in December 2020, and developer ZA/UM confirmed at the time that this version of the surprise hit isometric RPG would be upgraded with new content and release for PC and select consoles in March 2021. One of the biggest upgrades to come to The Final Cut is the addition of full voice-acting for all characters in the game, a major feat considering the sheer amount of unique NPCs in the game. However, it has been revealed that Disco Elysium: The Final Cut was recently refused classification in Australia, which means a many gamers may not get to play it upon release.
The Australian Classification Board has refused to classify The Final Cut on the basis that game does not fall in line with rating standards normally used to classify games. Specifically, The Final Cut handles controversial topics in a way that the board deems to "offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults to the extent that [the game] should not be classified." The classification refusal may come as a surprise to some gamers considering Disco Elysium is already out now for PC, but the game's handling of controversial topics will not be new to fans.
Disco Elysium's world is woven with controversial topics in mind and the game does not shy away from dealing with sex, drug trade and misuse, and violence. Though there are several other video games that deal with these topics, it seems that whatever additions The Final Cut has planned have not met the censorship standards of the Australian Classification Board. It is possible for developer ZA/UM to change the specific content that is preventing The Final Cut from receiving classification, but until that happens, the game cannot be sold in Australia.
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut could be without classification for crossing standards with any of its controversial subjects, but the game's heavy political themes are certainly a standout. The game explores real-world political ideologies such as fascism and communism but also changes these ideologies in certain ways to create a unique setting.
One of the new features in the The Final Cut are the Political Vision quests, which will allow players to follow political paths as they make dialogue choices and explore the world. Heavy political subtext could be part of the reason The Final Cut is being refused classification, but it is still a bit of mystery because no other county has refused classification for the game at this point.
Though Disco Elysium: The Final Cut's release on March 30 is only for PlayStation consoles and Google Stadia, the classification refusal could affect a physical release in Australia on other consoles. The Final Cut is also coming to Switch and Xbox consoles, so Australian gamers may miss out on these versions as well.
Disco Elysium is available now PC, with The Final Cut arriving March 30 on PC, PS4, PS5, and Stadia. Switch and Xbox Series X ports are planned as well.