An R18+ Rating is possible in Australia
If you want one . . . . ! ?
by XboxOZ360
©2008 Grant Smythe
After todays long awaited meeting of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG), which was held in the Boorosa Vally in South Australia, it seems that the Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls has welcomed an agreement by SCAG to consult on whether an R18+ classification for computer games should be introduced into the National Classification Scheme.
Below is the ‘encouraging’ Press Release coming out of the meeting today, attended by all State Attorney Generals, and many Entertainment representatives who put the case forward in favour of such a change.
Remembering that the r18+ already exists within Australia for movies and other media, yet, due to much misconception, has been deemed not necessary in the area of Computer (read video) games here in Australia. And in doing so, has actually allowed many an 18 rated game from overseas into the hands on minors here in Australia.
If the R18+ rating was to be moved to include video games, it would mean that games that fit not quite in MA15+ and definitely in an adult (over 18) bracket, could be correctly classified, and the adults of Australia allowed to purchase these game.
It doesn’t mean that the flood gates to hell will be opened and a a pouring in of sexually explicit games will come into our country. It simply means that games that currently pass in under the guise of MA15+ or those that some publishers simply do not distribute in Australia, would be allowed to PROVIDED they still met with stringent classification criteria. The same as Film and other media currently must to.
Anyway, here’s the Press Release from todays meeting, and if you are from Australia, and you want to make it known, then slip along to this site and make both your vote and voice be heard.
But a warning first.
Remember, many a politician, right wing soccer-mum/dad etc will be reading your comments, so be “mindful” of what you say, as sometimes your words can be used against you, even if you support something.
Be adult about your comments, not immature, and show the Attorney Generals and Politicians that you are able to have your say in an adult and mature way, they just love comments such as “well I’ll just blow em all up if it doesn’t get through” etc . . . Put your mind into gear before your mouth . . hehehehe
Press Release:
PUBLIC TO BE CONSULTED ON CLASSIFICATION OF R18+ GAMES
Censorship Ministers at the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) today agreed to public consultation on the issue of R18+ computer games.
Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls welcomed the agreement by SCAG to consult on whether an R18+ classification for computer games should be introduced into the National Classification Scheme.
Mr Hulls said there had been community interest for some time about reviewing the current classification scheme, which only allows computer games with a maximum classification of MA15+ to be lawfully available in Australia.
“I believe that censorship laws should strike an appropriate balance between freedom of expression and community concerns about depictions that condone or incite violence, as well as the principle that minors should be protected from material likely to harm or disturb them,” he said.
Mr Hulls said an analysis of literature and research on the issue compiled by Victoria suggested there were persuasive arguments to support the introduction of an ‘adult only’ category of computer game classification in Australia.
“While computer games have predominantly been considered the domain of children, the most up-to-date research indicates a steadily growing trend in adult consumers of the product, with the current average age of gamers reported to be 28 years,” he said.
“It seems inconsistent that in Australia, adults are allowed to view ‘adult only’ films which have been classified R18+ by the Classification Board, but not computer games with an equivalent high level content.
“With the increasing convergence between films and games, the different approach to classification principles is difficult to sustain.”
Mr Hulls said it was anticipated that should an R18+ classification for computer games be introduced, games containing extreme violence, explicit sexual material, instruction in crime or characters using illegal drugs would continue to be refused classification.
He said as with films with high level content, ‘adult only’ classified games would not be intended for use by a minor.
“Recent technological advances mean that with the latest generation of gaming platforms, parents can control their child’s access to appropriate gaming material,” he said.
Mr Hulls said it would be only after public consultation had been completed that Censorship Ministers would consider whether or not it was appropriate to introduce an R18+ classification for computer games in Australia.
“At the moment, Australia is out of step with the rest of the developed world on this issue,” he said.
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Filed under: Console gaming, Parental Gaming, Press Release, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 News | Tagged: "adult classification on games", "Australian R rated games", "mature rated computer games", "R classification for games", "R rated video games", R18+ rating in australia
Good stuff, I really hope that having an R18+ rating will show its benefit on the community.
as much as I hate it… I think all the mothers and fathers with young children who are oblivious to how appalling our rating system is, will vote no.
I hope before this Vote public thing happens, A Current Affiars show does a story on how MA games in Aus are R everywhere else in the world.
“Mr Hulls said it was anticipated that should an R18+ classification for computer games be introduced, games containing extreme violence, explicit sexual material, instruction in crime or characters using illegal drugs would continue to be refused classification.”
well that is really silly! So they are just going to make the MA games R and leave it at that? and the real R games still ban them? what the hell?
I think what he is implying is that certain games with certain themes should never be released here. I tend to agree in cases of sexual violence, overtly racist content, etc.
I think the idea is that R18+ should be used to back retailers’ legal responsibility to not sell to minors and to get oblivious parents to understand what their kids are asking for. Some games in the MA15+ category belong there, and others should go up to an R18+.
Games like Dark Sector getting banned is silly when you compare other games like Dead Rising (lawnmower anyone?) or even Gears of War (chainsaw anyone?). Or how about Conan, Condemned….etc. etc. Instead of making examples of random games they can class them all where they should be.
I have just posted a comment on the Zoo Current Affairs news items page for consideration . . hopefully it will at least be read and considered as news worthy . . . I’ll certainly keep you all informed.
It basically outlined that by allowing games rating to stay as they are, many parents are allowing many current games, that are made with an adult audience in mind, to continue to come to Australia and be mis -labeled.
And that by actually voting YES, they would have such games clearly labeled so that when their kids come pestering them for say the next Prey 2, game that is rated say 18+ overseas, it will have a R18+ label on it, and said parent will “hopefully” let said child know that it’s not appropriate.
Of course not all parents follow this line of action, not everyone follows the letter of the law. that’s just human nature – unfortunately. But they need to be correctly informed, which is why I wrote in, so thanks to Shadow for posting the link on the xbox.com.au forums.
If you have something to say, and to offer a ’supporting story” then slip along to Zoo’s Nine ACA page and lodge a story proposal . . the more that do, the more likely it is taken up.
Sutton, Danny, TWODOGSz and I last night on Halo 3 Legendary co-op were talking about the R18+ Rating in Australia, and we all agreed we would like to see it. We each had our positive point to throw in about how it would benefit the Australian Gaming community not for the fact that you know ohh now banned games will get released, but for the fact that now instead of kids underage walking in and going i’m buying this game yep that $90 thank you, and then their parents going berserk because their kids are prone to violent games. the kids will not be able to buy r18+ as easy as they bought ma15+ games.
The parent doesn’t even ask what game their child wants to buy anyway. If the parent was more involved in asking the kid ” what game you want to get”, ” condemned 2 its ma15+” the parent will straight away most likely go your to young, its to violent for you. and then the whole little kids being prone to violent game is over.
and on top not many stores i used to buy games from when i was younger actually asked for a parent to buy the game for me or for me to provide with adequate ID to prove im above age.
I would like to see the R18+ Classification Pass, because MA15+ games that have a plethora of violence will be deemed R18+ and little kids will not be able to buy them unless there 18 or their parents actually agree to buy it. Meaning that parents will not craze over their young ones playing violent video games.
Here’s an interesting comment that seems to have missed the papers from Mr Hull, and yet articles state the opposite, or simply fail to make note of his comments that are positive in nature and that show parents that correct measures will be taken to safegaurd their children, not just allow any old sordid game to come floating into the country.
Obviously it doesn’t help the papers ratings when you print something positive . .
Also heartening is the following statement from Mr Hull:
“Mr Hulls said it was anticipated that should an R18+ classification for computer games be introduced, games containing extreme violence, explicit sexual material, instruction in crime or characters using illegal drugs would continue to be refused classification.”
I had an experience yesteday that further reinforced in my mind the lack of understanding of the current rating system that is prevalent in many parents.
A parent had bought GTA San Andreas for their 7 year old kid. They came in with the game and started ranting about the fact that they did not realize it was rated R when they purchased it. I asked them what they meant, as it is only MA15+ in Australia and they pointed to the rockstar symbol in the corner. I couldnt help but laugh. Seems the system is just that poorly misunderstood.
Agreed with you there Jim, but the really stupid thing about that is, and it points out the whole R18+ thing is, that parents have NO idea (generally speaking of course) about what they buy their kids, and even abuse the CURRENT system which clearly states that GTA:SA is a MA15+ game, NOT a game designed for 7 year olds . . .
Yep the whole situation was ridiculous and its even more so that its a situation that takes place more and more often.
I am all for an R rating naturally. My concern is whether or not it will actually change anything.
Will the games that are normally rated M15 automatically become R and will the games that are currently banned here in AU continue to be banned because the censors still find it offensive?
“Some” games that would normally fit into the MA15+ classification will go into the R18+ rating, Games that are submitted for a R18+ rating must STILL meet stringent guidelines and attain the approval of the OLFC. Failure to do so will mean a RC (Refused Classification) musk like they do now, if they are just not suitable. Such as say Manhunt 2 etc.
The R18+ classification is very similar to the overseas 18+ rating, it’s just that we do not have an age appropriate system here. The only symbol we have for 18+ is R18+ . .And the confussion with many is, that they see the letter “R” and associate it with either sex, sexuality or explicit content.
When in fact, all it is is OUR ratings symbol. Just like NZ has the same symbol, and rates its games in the same manner, but with one slight exception. They use the R18+ rating on games and they have very little problems from the community and population in general. As they are well informed about the ratings.
Hope that sort of answer your question.
Hmmm, okay so from my understanding that means we will still miss out on some games then.
Mind you, the games that have been banned here are aparrently pretty ordinary in terms of gameplay anyway. But that’s not the issue
No different to other countries actually. If a game or movie is not suitable, and fails to fall within that countries classification standards, then it’s refused classification.
The same will apply here with games, just as it does right now with movies. If a movies fails the R18+ test, then it too is RC . . .it simply means that games such as say Manhunt 2 would be refused, and rightfully so, as all other countries have refused it classification, but it was recently over tuned in the UK, but with changes.
This is the things many are forgetting, or simply not making it known to the general public. Many want others to think that if a R18+ rating was used, that the country would be flooded with the dregs of the earth and games full of sex etc. When that’s far from the truth.
Right now, Condemned 2: Bloodhsot is given a MA15+, but in other countries it has a solid 18+ rating . . and a R18+ rating in NZ if I’m not mistaken ?!. And it NEEDS to, as it’s bloody scary, and gory as well, FAR too much so for a 15tr old . . .or any minor for that matter.
If we had a 18+ rating here, then it would be given that, instead of being mis-labeled MA15+ and just skimping through . . . then parents come down on stores and developers saying they are forcing this stuff on kids.
Well no, they aren’t. The OLFC are doing so by NOT introducing the R18+ rating, and parents, if they agreed, would be able to see at a glance that that game (as an example) is NOT aimed at their 15r old, but at an adult audience.
Can you see the whole stupidity of it . . we’re the ONLY country, that for some unknown reason, thinks OUR 15yr olds are older than the rest of the world, and can view Adult content . . and here’s the stupid bit, yet those same people want to stop the OLFC etc from introducing a rating that would have that kind of game made only available to adults, and they claim to be doing so in the name of the children.
Bit stupid, don’t you think.