R18+ decision delayed… again
According to GameSpot, Attorneys-General across Australia have failed to reach an unanimous decision on whether an R18+ rating is to be introduced, delaying the process until the next SCAG meeting in March 2011.
An hour after Laura Parker’s article, Kotaku had a phone conversation with Brendan O’Connor stated that everyone who attended the SCAG meeting agreed that the rating system needed to be changed. Interestingly, he was asked about the involvement of Western Australia’s Attorney-General, Christian Porter.
“Ah look, Christian has a really open mind about the subject, and he is genuinely worried about the way games are currently falling into childrens hands under MA15+.”
He is not alone when he says this. However, there are some reports that say that he wanted to consult his cabinet ministers before his decision can be made. He had plenty of time before the meeting to discuss this, so there was no reason for the delay. O’Connor went on to mention the new Victoria Attorney-General, Robert Clarke.
“We also had a new Victorian AG, and he’s only been an Attorney General for a few days, so we really need more time to get everything worked out.”
This statement is of concern. Around March, New South Wales will have an election; and if the Coalition win power and a new Attorney-General is appointed, then the decision can be delayed once again.
So we have to wait until March to see what happens. Until then, games such as Splatterhouse, Dead Rising 2, and Call of Duty: Black Ops will continue to be available to minors; and the Classification Board will have a much difficult job classifying games due to a line in the National Classification Code which reads “adults should read, hear and see what they like”.
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Curtis says:
This bill really needs to be passed.as a video games salesman the amount of games with adult content being sold to minors is ridiculous.exposure to games with violence and sex and drug references this could affect the minds of pre- and young teens,and they think the behaviour displayed is acceptable whereas adults know what is and isnt acceptable.
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Tim says:
Not surprised they delayed – wheel turn slowly sometimes in gov’t but I’d rather they have a considered decision then something just rushed through (as long as they dont take too long).
I think the word “game” needs to be addressed in relation to this adult-level games – “simulation” or “interactive situations” (lets see the marketing boffins market THAT one!). I think the word “game” automatically triggers a response in the child’s head that it is for them, which is not the case in these types of games.
There should be VERY VERY prominant advertising ON THE COUNTER, at point of sale, of techniques for parents to research the games they are buying either via the web reviews or magazines. This is something the industry can do as well but it is NOT just another marketing exercise. It is to inform the purchaser (mainly non-game savvy parents) as to the level of content within the game they are looking at. You simply cannot get an accurate idea just from the rating and the blurb on he back of the box – though a R18 will help here. I think the same should be done for M/MA/MA15 films as well.
Another thing that I think warrants a discussion is what I call the “passive smoking effect” – smaller children watching older children playing these games, and viewing the older child’s reactions and (small) changes in behaviour (frustration levels, etc). Obviously, this is another area where the parents need to exercise the control, but its a point worth considering.
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Russell says:
omfg fuck australia seriously
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Glenn says:
So despite the research showing video games having a negative impact and the overwhelming support for an R18+ rating, one or more Attorneys-General decides to cave in to lobby groups? What a joke.
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John says:
If I had to make one guess, this would have something to do with the ACL (Australian Christian Lobby). These SOB’s are the worst of the lot, they really know how to screw Aussie gamers by preaching their think of the children bullshit. I’ve had it with these ridiculous delays, I guess Australian retailers dont need my money. We lose – they lose, simple as that.
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shaunoez says:
i agree with john
we lose, they lose
they don’t want to give us the games.
we wont buy them from stores anymore
the only people suffering is our economy.
we WILL get the r18+ games, we just want to be treated like the adults we are, so we can get the games legally.
but no, Australian government wants to treat us like 7 year olds, so we must resort to less legal means.
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bret says:
i refuse to but cut games in australia cause i can get it cheaper on ebay, left 4 dead 2 cut when it was first released was $109 weres i got my copy off ebay for $50 uncut. now if it was uncut over here i would have no problem buying it from eb or somewhere else. people buy games over here that have things taken out and they still expect us to buy them well i say until 18 rating is passed i will continue to buy uncut games from other countries.
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brad says:
i’m the same as bret with buying uncut games from other countries australia has had more than enough information to introduce the R rating but they didnt and gamers like me are getting sick and tired of games being banned or toned down cos of not having the R rating oh well australia will have to put up with aussies like me downloading and importing
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JASON says:
This is insane. With or with out the 18+ rating we can still get these games, and we can get them cheaper. It doesn’t bother me if there is no 18+ rating because I can still get what I wan’t over the net, and at a cheaper price. But how can the Australia government not see how much money is being lost, and the fact that some games that should be 18+ are given a MA rating and kids are playing them any way. What a stupid system, it is so counter productive. The Australian games industry itself face ridiculous situation like this as well. Video games make a lot of money, Australians spent 2 billion dollars on games last year, the government must see this.
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Steve says:
Hope they hurry up before they censor another game, its like they want us to pirate the uncut versions and ruin the gaming industry
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Kade says:
If DR2, Black Ops and Splatterhouse are all available now, how are we to enforce the R18+ Rating when it comes in? It’s not like the government can force those who already own the games to take them back in because they are under the legal age to play.
http://vimeo.com/17881404
This video was released a few days ago. For those who haven’t seen it.
Everything Lyle Shelton (ACL) says is a blatant lie. But, have a look for yourselves. This is just another Religious organisation sticking it’s nose in where it certainly doesn’t belong and where it certainly isn’t wanted
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Nona Mills says:
This is insane. With or with out the 18+ rating we can still get these games, and we can get them cheaper. It doesn’t bother me if there is no 18+ rating because I can still get what I wan’t over the net, and at a cheaper price. But how can the Australia government not see how much money is being lost, and the fact that some games that should be 18+ are given a MA rating and kids are playing them any way. What a stupid system, it is so counter productive. The Australian games industry itself face ridiculous situation like this as well. Video games make a lot of money, Australians spent 2 billion dollars on games last year, the government must see this.
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Liam says:
Come on Australia! Just allow the R+18, its not that hard, this has seem to be going on since 2008 sometime, Just make up your mind and say yes, Kids can easily get their hands on games like GTA IV and Black ops because they are 15+ and they cant get it if its 18+. For godsake australias laws are so useless maybe i should move to america.
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24yrGamer says:
Delayed again!?! I feel this is like a broken record! The overwhelming support for an 18+ system for videogames is at a record high & the A.Gs still can’t make the SENSIBLE decision!
I went to the Black Ops EB Midnight release for shits & giggles… What i saw was 5-6 adults buying it for themselves… 60 or 70 minors carrying the game out after talking to the retailer about how bloody & violent it is! And a further 15 adults buying it for their kids!
Btw when i say minors i mean ages 7-14!!!! Whats goin on here!