R18+ Rally Cancelled

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Gametraders contacted me by email moments ago to inform me that the planned rally has now been cancelled. You can download their media statement PDF here, but I have reproduced the text of it below:

GAMETRADERS 25/2/2009

Cosplay petition rally cancelled

Gametraders is cancelling its “Cosplay for a Cause” rally, which was to promote the need for a fair and equal classification of the entertainment industry, due to lack of numbers. The rally, which was to go ahead on Wednesday March 4, was to begin with a press conference on the steps of Parliament House followed by a presentation of a petition of 2600 signatures to go to the Attorney General, Michael Atkinson.

“We have received an overwhelming amount of support from the public on our drive to have an R18+ rating introduced in Australia, especially with our latest drive,” said Gametraders’ National Marketing Manager, Chad Polley. “We have listened to our customers and to the numerous forum postings and have taken into account new ideas on how to get our message across.” The “Cosplay for a Cause” event has attracted the attention needed to generate further public awareness and Gametraders have listened to the responses made nationwide by customers as well as people commenting on several forums, both national and international.

As such, Gametraders has decided not to proceed with the event on March 4, instead postponing it to a later date in the hope of gaining greater numbers to support the rally by plain-clothed participants. Gametraders is committed to driving the introduction of an R18+ rating with the view of introducing not only a fair classification system, but a more responsible one and is currently the only National Interactive Entertainment Retailer taking a strong stance on the issue.

“For action to be taken on the discussion we need the support of the media to push awareness of the issue and put it on the political agenda,” said Polley “We will start with having our Managing Director present the petitions at Adelaide’s Parliament House, followed by a press conference.” For this to be effective, a strong number of supporters are needed to rally the cause, in plain clothes as is the manner that many of you suggested.

Please express your interest at r18@gametraders.com.au. The date of the rally is to be announced and will be enacted as soon as possible.

Thanks to everybody across Australia and the world who voiced their opinions about this rally. It is my hope that with this change, we can get even more people behind the event and deliver an even stronger message to Michael Atkinson.

R18+ Rally in Adelaide

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

Gametraders is organising a rally to support an R18+ rating for video games in South Australia. The rally will take place at 1pm on the 4th of March, on the steps of the Adelaide Parliament House. As you all know, Adelaide is the home of the South Australian Attorney-General, Michael Atkinson, chief opponent of an R18+ rating for games in Australia.

This is an important chance to show your support for this long-overdue change to the Australian ratings system. Please make time to show up if you can and help campaign for a fairer, safer system for all Australians.

UPDATE (19th Feb): It’s clear from the feedback below and across the internet that a lot of people have some concerns about the cosplay nature of the rally. Gametraders has contacted me to say they will be issuing a further statement shortly. I’ll post it up as soon as I receive it.

R18+ Petition in Gametraders

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

Gametraders stores currently have a petition available for people to sign, aimed at convincing the Attorney-General to bring about an R18+ rating for computer and video games in Australia. Last time I was in the Perth store, the list of signatures was nearing 1000 people. So if you’re in the area, please head into your local Gametraders shop and add your name to the list of people who realise that the current broken, inconsistent system desperately needs to change.

NB: This might be for Western Australia only. I can’t confirm any other states. If you know otherwise, please let me know in the comments or by email.