DOA: Dimensions reclassified

Monday, June 27th, 2011

According to Kotaku Australia, Dead or Alive: Dimensions, THQ’s child fighting game, has now been rated M (‘moderate violence and sexualized gameplay’)

Reports stated that Nintendo, now the distributor of Dimensions, was actually aiming for an MA15+ rating but Nintendo later denied this and were just as happy for the game to be sent back for re-classification, and to distance themselves from THQ, who caused the game to be revoked.

NSW Attorney-General remains vague on R18+

Saturday, June 18th, 2011

Mark Serrels has written an article, which mentions that the New South Wales Attorney-General, Greg Smith, has remained tight-lipped about his position on an R18+ rating for video games.

While I have noted your enquiry about my position on this matter, it is important to recognise that, under the National Classification Scheme, new classification categories cannot be introduced without the unanimous agreement of all Commonwealth, State and Territory Censorship Ministers. In addition, prior to Ministers considering whether or not to change the Classification Scheme, there must be national consultation on the proposed change.

A decision regarding the introduction of an R18+ classification is expected to be made by Censorship Ministers at their meeting in July 2011. On that issue I can only advise that I support the national approach to classification and will be informed by the views of the community and my Ministerial colleagues.

It is so close to the SCAG meeting now. Will Greg Smith support the introduction of an R18+ rating, or ignore the majority and only listen to lobby groups who have repeatedly opposed its introduction due to false statements?

Source: Kotaku Australia

DOA: Dimensions has rating revoked

Saturday, June 11th, 2011

According to Kotaku Australia, THQ’s fighting game, Dead or Alive: Dimensions, was previously awarded a PG (‘mild violence and sexualized gameplay) rating from the Classification Board. However, negative media reports like this one alerted the Board, which decided to revoke the rating on June 10th.

The media release linked here reported that three of the games characters are described as under 18, and the in-game pornography mode allows the player to look up characters’ dresses in certain poses. Dimensions is already not available in several Scandinavian countries.

The original PG rating is the result of THQ providing inadequate information when submitting the game. The pornography mode is a feature that may very well cause Dimensions to be placed into a higher rating. Nintendo is now re-submitting the game.

Tasmanian Attorney-General comes out in favour of R18+ Games

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

According to Kotaku Australia, Brian Wightman, the new Tasmanian Attorney-General replacing David Bartlett, has voiced his support for an R18+ rating for games.

Wightman said in an interview that he will push for the new rating at the July SCAG meeting.

It’s not going to completely stop children getting this material, it will reduce those that do and it definitely won’t make things worse.

So far, all but three states previously said that they would support an R18+ rating.

R18+ Draft Guidelines Released

Thursday, May 26th, 2011

Kotaku Australia has just announced that the Federal Ministers for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor, has released a draft of the R18+ Guidelines ahead of the SCAG meeting in July. The guidelines are sent to all Attorneys-General and detail what is allowed under the new rating, and what is not. O’Connor has issued the following statement:

The Gillard Government wants to provide better guidance for parents and remove unsuitable material from children and teenagers. The introduction of an R18+ classification will help achieve that and will also bring Australia into line with comparable nations. This issue has been on the table for many years, without the necessary progress to make a change. We’ve recently seen several states publicly express their support for an adult only rating for games and I’m keen to reach a unanimous decision at the July meeting.

For many years, there was concern that the most violent games were being shoehorned into the MA15+ category. The guidelines suggest a tightening of that rating, to make sure that such games are not available to minors. Below are the guidelines for the MA15+, R18+, and RC ratings:

MA 15+ – MATURE ACCOMPANIED
Impact test
The impact of material classified MA 15+ should be no higher than strong.
Note: Material classified MA 15+ is considered unsuitable for persons under 15 years of age. It is a legally restricted category.

Classifiable elements
THEMES
The treatment of strong themes should be justified by context.

VIOLENCE
Violence should be justified by context.
Strong and realistic violence should not be very frequent.
Sexual violence may be implied, if justified by context.

SEX
Sexual activity may be implied.
Sexual activity must not be related to incentives or rewards.

LANGUAGE
Strong coarse language may be used.
Aggressive or strong coarse language should be infrequent.

DRUG USE
Drug use should be justified by context.
Drug use must not be related to incentives or rewards.
Interactive drug use that is detailed and realistic is not permitted.

NUDITY
Nudity should be justified by context.
Nudity must not be related to incentives or rewards.
Note:

R 18+ – RESTRICTED

IMPACT TEST
The impact of material classified R 18+ should not exceed high.
Note: Material classified R 18+ is legally restricted to adults. Some material classified R 18+ may be offensive to sections of the adult community.

Classifiable elements
THEMES
There are virtually no restrictions on the treatment of themes.

VIOLENCE
Violence is permitted except where it offends against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults to the extent that it should not be classified.
Sexual violence may be implied, if justified by context.

SEX
Sexual activity may be realistically simulated. The general rule is
“simulation, yes – the real thing, no”.

LANGUAGE
There are virtually no restrictions on language.

DRUG USE
Drug use is permitted.

NUDITY
Nudity is permitted.

RC – REFUSED CLASSIFICATION
Note: Computer games that exceed the R 18+ classification category will be Refused Classification.

Computer games will be refused classification if they include or contain any of the following:

CRIME OR VIOLENCE
Detailed instruction or promotion in matters of crime or violence.
The promotion or provision of instruction in paedophile activity.
Descriptions or depictions of child sexual abuse or any other exploitative or offensive
descriptions or depictions involving a person who is, or appears to be, a child under 18 years.
Gratuitous, exploitative or offensive depictions of:
(i) violence with a very high degree of impact or which are excessively frequent,
prolonged or detailed;
(ii) cruelty or real violence which are very detailed or which have a high impact;
(iii) sexual violence.
Sexual violence related to incentives and rewards.

SEX
Depictions of practices such as bestiality.
Gratuitous, exploitative or offensive depictions of:
(i) activity accompanied by fetishes or practices which are offensive or abhorrent;
(ii) incest fantasies or other fantasies which are offensive or abhorrent.

DRUG USE
Detailed instruction in the use of proscribed drugs.
Material promoting or encouraging proscribed drug use.
As a general rule, computer games will also be Refused Classification if they contain:
(i) drug use related to incentives or rewards;
(ii) interactive drug use which is detailed and realistic

The guidelines also suggest that the G, PG, and M ratings remain unchanged. You can view the proposed guidlines here.