Senator Lundy supports R18+

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010

According to Kotaku, ACT Senator Kate Lundy has tabled the EveryonePlays petition in parliament, making a speech in support of an R18+ rating. She covers some major points, including:

Firstly, it is worth noting that we already have an R18+ classification for films. This classification is important as it gives parents clear guidance on what is appropriate for their children and teenagers. As a parent I know there is a peace of mind when selecting films for my family’s enjoyment, to know that there is a robust classification system. The classification system informs my choices and helps me assess suitability and age appropriateness for my children.

The absence of an R18+ computer games classification creates something of a grey area for parents. There is limited guidance for parents or young people, creating a risk where games are purchased that they are not suitable.

The average age of people who play computer games is 30, illustrating the strength of the adult game market, with the sector’s turnover standing at over $1.3 billion in 2007 according to the Bond University report entitled Interactive Australia 2009.

Both the United States and United Kingdom have an R18+ games classification which means games developers incur additional costs to modify their products for the local market to meet our MA15 classification.

With many games originally developed for an adult audience, this represents an additional burden for our Australian games sector. As a result, many of these games are simply banned for sale or distribution in Australia as a result giving rise to the temptation of overseas purchase, or worse, illicit distribution in Australia.

Her support means when December 10 arrives, the attorney-generals will take note of the overwhelming support for an R18+ rating, not just from the gaming industry, but from parent groups, ICT, telecommunications and related sector organisations.

The entire transcript can be found here, and if you think you find it interesting, you can use it to contact your representative here.

SCAG Meeting Postponed

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

The Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, who meet up to determine changes to Australia’s classification system, last met earlier this year to discuss the public consultation and after much deliberation, were seeking to hear both sides of the argument so that they could make a final decision.

That decision was going to be made at the meeting that was to be held at the end of this month. Unfortunately due to the upcoming Federal Election, this meeting has now been postponed until November 4-5.

Source: Games.On.Net

Discussion paper not good enough: O’Connor

Monday, May 10th, 2010

The SCAG meeting took place in Melbourne last Friday to review the discussion paper. With 60,000 submissions, of which 98.2% were in favour of an R18+ rating, Home Affairs Minister Brendan O’Connor described this an “overwhelming” effort. Unfortunately, with only one Attorney-General absent from the meeting no final decision has been made.

And despite the majority in favour, according to Games.On.Net, O’Connor has requested further analysis from the community and expert views before making a final decision on whether Australia receives an R18+ games rating. The Federal Attorney-General’s department has released a status report, available for download here. O’Connor helps this would ensure that community is kept well-informed of its progress.

The report provides statistical breakdowns as well as summaries of the positions taken by various lobby groups. Interestingly, only one religious group, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, spoke out in favour of the new rating.

The Australian Catholic Bishops (ACB) state that their preferred position is that R 18+ material would not be available in Australia. However, as material is currently available despite its illegality, it would be preferable to introduce an R18+ classification category for computer games so that access to such material, particularly by children, can be restricted.

Well, at least one religious group is using common sense!

EA calls for R18+ rating

Friday, May 7th, 2010

The SCAG meeting takes place in Melbourne today, and we are yet to find out whether Australia finally receives an R18+ rating for video games. In the meantime, Frank Gibeau, president of EA games, has released a statement (through gamesindustry.biz) likening Australia’s refusal to add an R18+ rating is a form of censorship, and he urges the Attorney-Generals to vote unanimously in favour of the new R18+ rating. The statement reflects not only his views, but the views of his entire company that adult consumers can make their own choices.

Gibeau then goes on to explain the changes in the userbase, saying that the average age of gamers is 28, yet the rating system only goes up to MA15+. This “demonstrates a distance between those policies and the reality of the video game industry and the people that play interactive games in Australia today.” and the legislation “effectively censor[s] entertainment choices for adults.”

Read the full statement here. Note that you have to login or register with the site to be able to read it.

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R18+ Petition breaks Australian record

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

According to PAL Games Network, the EveryonePlays campaign calling for the government to introduce an R18+ games rating has generated a very positive response. Over 89,000 signatures has been collected, breaking the 2005 “abolish WorkChoices” campaign of 85,000. This does not include those submissions made online.

When the next SCAG meeting takes place in Melbourne on May 7, will this be enough to convince all attorney-generals to agree to the new rating?