When a game doesn’t see a release in Australia it’s usually to do with the strict age ratings and lack of an R18+ rating. But in the case of Realtime Worlds’ forthcoming MMO All Points Bulletin (APB), the reason is one of hardware, or a lack of it.

According to EA, which is distributing boxed copies of the game worldwide, APB is not seeing a release in Australia because the game requires local servers for a low ping. Unlike other MMOs APB relies a lot on fighting in the same vein as an FPS, meaning a low ping is essential.

Australia apparently doesn’t have the local server capacity in place to support the game and therefore releasing it would be pointless. IS Realtime did release there, Australians may get to play the game, but complaints and bad reviews would likely start appearing as the game is unplayable.

While it’s surprising that Australia doesn’t seem to be big on server farms,(apb gold) it’s more surprising a server company based there hasn’t stepped up to support the game. Surely there’s a business opportunity in doing so?