Australians get their say on video game ratings

[-=$2=WH@RE=-]

THE Australian public will finally be able to have its say on the issue of an R18+ rating for video games.

The Federal Attorney-General's department has released a public discussion paper on the issue - a move that was first announced in March last year.

Australia is one of the only developed nations without an adult rating for games, and unlike films, anything stronger than MA15+ must be effectively banned.

The submission paper says the Government has been discussing the issue "for some time," and has decided the matter needs community views after a 2009 study showed the average age of Australian gamers was now well over 25.

It also notes an R rating will not allow extremely offensive material in Australia.

"Were an R 18+ classification introduced, the RC (refused classification) category would still exist for games with... gratuitous or exploitative depictions of sexual violence, such as the sexual assault simulation game Rapelay," the paper says.

"It could also include games that included violence with a ‘very high’ impact that offends against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults to the extent that they should not be classified."

The Government's announcement comes days before the Classifications Review Board reviews the ban on the Aliens Vs Predator game.

The popular game was recently refused classification for excess gore, prompting the game's UK developer Rebellion to defy tradition by refusing to edit it for Australian release under a lower classification.

"We agree strongly that our game is not suitable for game players who are not adults," Rebellion told gaming blog CVG.

"We will not be releasing a sanitised or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices."

http://www.news.com.au/technology/au...-1225810592521

http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/rwpattach.nsf/VAP/(3273BD3F76A7A5DEDAE 36942A54D7D90)~Discu ssion+Paper+-+computer+games+-+R+18plus+classifica tion+category.pdf/$file/Discussion+Paper+-+computer+games+-+R+18plus+classifica tion+category.pdf

[McDethWivFries]

http://www.bigdgaming.net/showthread.php?t=871 7

[AllYourBase11]

Echoing all calls in other threads, but Hoorah for us, yay etc.

And a resounding clap for Rebellion for refusing to change their product to suit a nanny state government.

[bigbossmatt]

good news!

[Wokeye]

As in the other thread - anyone who wants a say on this, grab the submission template and fill it in.

http://www.ag.gov.au/gamesclassification

[Xaboo22]

Just found this article:

The Federal and State Governments have reached an in-principle agreement to provide an R18+ rating for video games.

The proposal has been debated at a meeting of attorneys-general in Adelaide.

Gamers have argued the rating would protect children from games containing inappropriate material, while giving adult gamers a choice.

The ABC understands the New South Wales Government abstained from the decision.

South Australia has previously indicated it will also scrap the current MA15+ , meaning all violent games will be restricted to adults.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-2...eement/2806200

Could it be that we will finally have an R18+ rating in Australia??

[Captain_Wolf]

That would be good, pretty easy to police. Just get people to show ID when purchasing an R18+ game. Same as alcohol and tabacco.

[Ford_Jam]

The ABC understands the New South Wales Government abstained from the decision.

The thing is (from what I understand) is that all of the AG's have to agree, so if NSW refuses to vote or votes no on the issue then it will not pass

[GoneWalkin]

Screw NSW, leave them behind they're all backwards down there anyways

Would be good to finally have a choice instead of being told 'NO' all the time.

[Elfraddor]

Originally Posted by Captain_Wolf

That would be good, pretty easy to police. Just get people to show ID when purchasing an R18+ game. Same as alcohol and tabacco.

And when they purchase MA15+ content as well. I know a lot of stores a slack at it, but unless they definitely look over right age I always check ID at the DSE store I work at.

[3D_Gimp]

Originally Posted by Ford_Jam

The thing is (from what I understand) is that all of the AG's have to agree, so if NSW refuses to vote or votes no on the issue then it will not pass

yup, afaik, it has to be unanimous

[Poncho]

It will be fine, the only reason it has been rejected so far was because of that stupid idiot of an AG for South Australia who has now been replaced.
From what I have watched in the news today the vote has already been passed with NSW entering a neutral vote.

[Chanvlan]

I remember when I bought Halo 3 I had to show ID, so yeah, bring on the 18+, I don't care if its like alcohol

...cause they go well together anyway lol

[1rankman]

why does Australia have to have a christen red neck government

that and i blame the media....show like today tonight is the reason the country is getting worse

[mickey69]

Originally Posted by Chanvlan

I remember when I bought Halo 3 I had to show ID, so yeah, bring on the 18+, I don't care if its like alcohol

...cause they go well together anyway lol

Well said my friend,well said....

It couldnt be any simpler than someone who looks a little young showing their ID in order to purchase,just like booze and ciggies.

[mrchickenfool]

Will you need a gaming certificate to sell games?

[GruAncH]

Originally Posted by mrchickenfool

Will you need a gaming certificate to sell games?

No just a responsible service of alcohol licence

Last reports I heard the knob that replaced Aitkens over here in S.A is the one that wanted to vote against it and M15+ banned as well

[Elfraddor]

Originally Posted by GruAncH

No just a responsible service of alcohol licence

Last reports I heard the knob that replaced Aitkens over here in S.A is the one that wanted to vote against it and M15+ banned as well

Actually he wanted to get R18 to replace ma15 which would have been stupid to keep it civil.

[Elfraddor]

NSW backs R18!

http://www.abc.net.au/technology/art...10/3290150.htm

After almost ten years of debate, all of Australia's Attorney's General have agreed to implement an adult rating for video games. At last month's SCAG meeting, most Attorney's General agreed in principle to the introduction but NSW's representative, Greg Smith, abstained from the official vote in order to gather more information (this stemmed from being part of a new State Government - one that had not spent time researching the matter).

[BAND+A1D]

Agreed, bring on R18+. It's so needs to happen. We have R18+ on movies and they have to be 10 times worse for impression setting. Not everyone in this country is a gamer, but everyone watches movies. It's not fair on us guys that are of age and are mature (well, mature enough!) to have these games band from this country. But if we treat it like alcohol and cigarettes, the government will probably tax the crap out of them too, and we don't want that. But at the end of the day, just like alcohol, cigarettes and R18+ movies, it's up to the parents to do their jobs properly, and I can say that. They are penalising a whole community of gamers that are of age, mature minded and mentaly stable to protect what?, the parents that manage their kids?! Bring on R18+, we need it