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.

Mind you, the games that have been banned here are aparrently pretty ordinary in terms of gameplay anyway. But that’s not the issue

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.

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?

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.”

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.

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.