Australia Finally Getting an R18+ Rating for Games

[The Wooster]

Australia Finally Getting an R18+ Rating for Games

The Australian government is finally giving the go ahead for Mature and Adults Only game ratings.

According to the Australian legal system, at least right now, if a game isn't suitable for anyone fifteen or younger, then it isn't suitable for anyone. The country's lack of an R18+ rating essentially legally enforced the idea that videogames are not for adults, as any title that wasn't suitable for fifteen-year-olds had no avenue for a legal release, much to the chagrin of the majority of the country [http://topnews.co.uk/24153-acc-poll-more-90-support-r18-game-law]. However, Minister for Justice Brendan O'Connor announced that after years of public demand, proposal for the oft-demanded classification has received unanimous support from all voting jurisdictions.

Hopes for a shake-up in Australian classification law have been running high since outspoken anti-videogames demagogue Michael Atkinson retired from the front bench back in March of last year [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/99288-Michael-Atkinson-Steps-Down], but legislators have been dragging their heels. Just last month a proposal to introduce an R18+ classification was derailed by the Attorney General of New South Wales who chose to abstain from the vote. Every other jurisdiction had pledged support for the proposal. Something, perhaps a subtly placed horse head, seems to have changed the Attorney General's mind however, New South Wales now officially supports the new classification.

Though the Australian Government previously announced that it hoped the new classification would be available by the end of the year, the draft guidelines for the proposal have now been amended, requiring some jurisdiction representatives to seek approval from their respective cabinets, which is going to slow things down a little. This is great news for Australian gamers, nonetheless.

Source: Australian Labour Party [http://www.alp.org.au/federal-government/news/nsw-agrees-to-r18--classification-for-computer-gam/]

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[ultimasupersaiyan]

As an Australian let me say that this is awesome news. But here's the catch you guys may have blinked and missed. See even though we are now getting the R18+, games will still need to be editted to pass for the most part. See the R18+ guidelines may still block a game like Mortal Kombat 9 and most of the games marked MA15+ will sit on the shelf with the R18+.

From what I've seen of the draft guidelines it seems like the video game R18+ is just the current MA15+ with a little more flexibility. I can tell you right now the sex scenes in GTA would still be removed. It's still a win and less games will be banned but a lot will have editing done to them to fit the R18+ guidelines. As for when we get it I'd honestly say we'll see it around March. To be honest I wish they'd get it out before the big releases in October before bad Christmas decisions are made.

 

[Xersues]

Seriously, just one comment on this?

As a US gamer, congrats to your new-found freedom of expression. Enjoy it while it's granted, protect it when it's threatened, and keep it responsible.

 

[42]

Cue Handel's Messiah!!

Finally i can remove the shame of being in NSW! (although still does't change the fact that it's shit.)
I don't think however it'll mean that most violent games currently in australia will be upgraded in their rating, because the classification they get is the one that sticks unless they resubmit it or the board re-classifies it. Example will obviously be Valve, who will want to attain an R18+ rating so us aussies will finally, be able to play Left 4 Dead the way it's meant to be played, with copious amounts of gore and fun. I'm serious, all we get is zombies that disappear when you shoot them.

Seriously, just one comment on this?

Everyone else is too busy going on about extra credit leaving. (this is no way saying i don't like the show i do watch the occasional ep)

 

[Twilight_guy]

Good for them. A win for one group is a win for us all. Here's hoping it actually goes though and this nonsense is over.

 

[kalt_13]

*happy dance* Bout bloody time

 

[snyper101]

YYYYYYYYYEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!! ABOUT TIME!!

 

[Sonicron]

As an Australian let me say that this is awesome news. But here's the catch you guys may have blinked and missed. See even though we are now getting the R18+, games will still need to be editted to pass for the most part. See the R18+ guidelines may still block a game like Mortal Kombat 9 and most of the games marked MA15+ will sit on the shelf with the R18+.

From what I've seen of the draft guidelines it seems like the video game R18+ is just the current MA15+ with a little more flexibility. I can tell you right now the sex scenes in GTA would still be removed. It's still a win and less games will be banned but a lot will have editing done to them to fit the R18+ guidelines.

Welcome to the way my country handles these matters. You'll learn to hate it with a passion.

 

[Vredesbyrd67]

THANK. GOD.

 

[Von Strimmer]

I have several questions about how this would work.
1. What happens when say Duke Nukem has R18+ stickers put on it but someone trades in a copy with M15+. Does the game remain 15 as it was classified or does it get a little sticker put on it?
2. Can games that were already banned go in for a resubmit?

Why dont they just keep the system they have for movies and and other forms of entertainment. Why does it have to be singled out and treated differently? And if a game is only an m rating does that mean it now goes up to an r since they are removing the m rating? Seems like ANOTHER ill-thoughtout policy bordering on stupid.

Also Fuck THQ and their 200 job closes in Brisbane and Sydney.

 

[Hunter65416]

In other unrelated news Michael Atkinson returns to parliament,
This is great though I almost can't believe it, it's been so long that I can't help but expect something to jump out in the middle of the road to try and stop everything..

 

[Bob the frantic]

I have several questions about how this would work.
1. What happens when say Duke Nukem has R18+ stickers put on it but someone trades in a copy with M15+. Does the game remain 15 as it was classified or does it get a little sticker put on it?
2. Can games that were already banned go in for a resubmit?

1. I believe that when it gets traded in then they have to change the classification on it to 18+, so yeah little sticker.
2. Yes, and L4D2 better be first on that list! Stupid low violence version!

OT: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I mean, we're not there yet, but it seems like nothing can go wrong! (I better not have jinxed it)

 

[Von Strimmer]

I have several questions about how this would work.
1. What happens when say Duke Nukem has R18+ stickers put on it but someone trades in a copy with M15+. Does the game remain 15 as it was classified or does it get a little sticker put on it?
2. Can games that were already banned go in for a resubmit?

1. I believe that when it gets traded in then they have to change the classification on it to 18+, so yeah little sticker.
2. Yes, and L4D2 better be first on that list! Stupid low violence version!

OT: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I mean, we're not there yet, but it seems like nothing can go wrong! (I better not have jinxed it)

1. That'll be a pain in the arse but at least they wont stop trade ins!
2. Also good. Hopefully they wont take too long to get through. I wonder if they can patch the full content through?

OT: This person speaks the truth! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Also was anyone else kind of worried that Catherine was going to be banned in Australia? I have heard such good things about it but never saw it at JB or EB. Hopefully it doesn't get banhammered.

 

[Metalrocks]

wow. i thought i read it wrong that i had to clean my glasses 2 times. amazing. makes me want to go back to AUS just to buy a game with a 18+ rating on it

 

[Timmehexas]

Fantastic news, to bad they still have the ability to censor R18+ games. I can go watch the most hardcore porn ever made, but god damn if I saw a fake sex scene in a video game I might become a hardened criminal!

 

[Creator002]

We finally get an R18+ rating? Really? Will I wake up and find out this was all a dream? I bloody hope not.

 

[chuckey]

I hope Australians can handle this and not muck it up. While i do congratulate you on the new rating I feel as though if only one gamer takes things too far it might just ruin the whole thing.

 

[BanicRhys]

Great news for the average Australian gamer.

Of course, I'm still going to buy all my games for half the price on Ebay/Amazon because honestly, why pay an extra $60 just to get a game a few days earlier.