We’ve just returned from a Sydney press conference with Gabe Newell, where he revealed a new plan to involve Aussies in the next zompocalypse, L4D2. As well as appealing the original Refused Classification decision by the classification board, EA has a lodged another version of the game for rating, which has been modified for the Australian market.

Gabe wouldn’t comment on what changes had been made to the modified version, but we’re guessing that dismemberment, a major addition to the sequel, will get the chop. Gabe repeatedly made it clear that Valve would prefer the unaltered version of the game to be released in Australia, but a decision on the appeal isn’t due until the 22nd of October. If the appeal is successful, the censored version of the game will never see the light of day.

We’re a little concerned that submitting a censored version before the appeal decision is announced gives the classification board an easy out. In the board’s mind, why would it open up the can of worms of overturning an earlier decision by the board, when it can just give the nod of approval to a new, Zombie-friendly, version? The Classification board wins as it doesn’t look silly, while EA wins because it can still sell L4D2 in Australia. Sadly we, the collective gamer, lose, playing a toned-down version of the game that compromises on Valve’s original vision.

One way or the other, October the 22nd is the date that we get to find out whether or not Aussies will be playing the Gabe Newell edition of L4D2, or the Michael Atkinson limited edition of L4D2.