EBGames Joins Fight for Aussie R18+ Rating

[John Funk]

EBGames Joins Fight for Aussie R18+ Rating

Australia's largest specialty videogame retailer has thrown its hat into the ring, backing the fight for an official R18+ rating in the country.

Our poor friends Down Under who have been fighting against the nefarious Michael Atkinson Galactic Empire in the hopes of getting a "Mature" rating for videogames may now have a new, powerful ally. EBGames, the country's largest videogame retailer, has joined the battle in pushing for an R18+ rating [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/96839-Australian-Government-Seeks-Public-Input-Into-R18-Game-Ratings].

EBGames will be displaying signs (a petition [http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/02/eb-games-asks-australia-to-grow-up/] in support of the cause.

84% of Australian EBGames customers support the R18+ rating according to company polls, which was a key factor in the retailer's decision to publicly join the fight:

"With the release of the Government's discussion paper, we knew as a company that we needed to act on this issue as it continues to cripple our industry and cost local jobs. We did however want to be sure that our customers were as passionate about the matter as we are," said EB Managing Director Steve Wilson. "This is not a call for violent video games, but rather a call for a better classification system that brings Australia in line with the rest of the world and other Australian entertainment industries, such as films."

A multibillion dollar corporation is a powerful friend to have in a fight like this, to be certain - but will it be enough?

(GamePolitics [http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/02/eb-games-joins-campaign-for-r18-rating-for-videogames/])

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[Dogstile]

I was starting to wonder when the game sellers would step in

 

[silver wolf009]

Fight for freedom EBgames!

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

I like the fact in any other country the 18+ rating is an annoying obstacle to overcome, but thanks to Lord Atkinson it's all topsy-turvy in Oz.

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

Well it's about time...Now they have allies just like the Atkinson Empire got theirs

 

[ma55ter_fett]

Well of course, they need the sales from all those M rated titles.

Makes good business sense.

 

[cheywoodward]

Is EBGames owned by Gamestop in Australia? I know it is here in the states.

OT: I think this is great, the fact that one man can control whether Adults can buy what they want is ridiculous. Hopefully this can bring about an R18 rating in Australia.

 

[Kasawd]

Right on. This can only be a good thing for our Australian escapists. I hope you guys can get that bloody rating soon.

 

[Lullabye]

Yay! My favorite game's retailer is now backing our cause! However, I don't think this will be enough. I mean, an industry backing itself is to be expected. The problem with this fight is that it's literally "society vs games". Almost like in highschool where all the different clicks would ban together just to ostracize one group.

 

[Zing]

Hmmm, Well I hate them a little less for constantly ripping me off with trade-ins and and such.

Props to EB Games!

 

[Jared]

Great to see someone fighting the corner of the gamers! Lets hope its voice is loud enough against the enourmosue death star that is "Atkinson"!

 

[teisjm]

make the average, cound't-care-less-about-games-person realize that this is a case of "they took our jobs!" and the gamres down under should have chance.

 

[Actual]

84% of Australian EBGames customers support the R18+ rating according to company polls

84% is surprisingly low, considering this was a poll taken of their customers. I'd have expected almost unanimous support.

If not even all Australian game buyers want an adult rating then maybe the bulk of non-gamers in the country don't want it. In which case they shouldn't get one, it is a democracy after all.

Maybe a referendum should be taken to actually figure out who supports the 18+ rating.

 

[That's Funny]

Ozzies (or Aussies) take up arms and prepare for the final aussalt.

 

[HentMas]

84% of Australian EBGames customers support the R18+ rating according to company polls

84% is surprisingly low, considering this was a poll taken of their customers. I'd have expected almost unanimous support.

If not even all Australian game buyers want an adult rating then maybe the bulk of non-gamers in the country don't want it. In which case they shouldn't get one, it is a democracy after all.

Maybe a referendum should be taken to actually figure out who supports the 18+ rating.

it would be kind of fun that 50% were underage kids jaja, but yeah, a democracy is always good, and 84% of the gaming customers "want" the M rating, but if those are the "gaming" customers, what about all the others that are not?

 

[SachielOne]

If not even all Australian game buyers want an adult rating then maybe the bulk of non-gamers in the country don't want it. In which case they shouldn't get one, it is a democracy after all.

Democracy is not an excuse for discriminatory treatment. There is a reason that the courts, under certain circumstances, have the power to overturn laws (here in Canada, anyway).

 

[UnravThreads]

I hope they bring it in, I think it's silly the Australians can't buy a bunch of games :s

Does the government there not realise that game sales = tax = money?

 

[Sparrow]

They're like the Han Solo of Australia.

Suck it, Emp Atkinson. Harrison Ford is going to mess you up.

 

[CD-R]

I was expecting more game publishers to get involved in this. I mean you'd think Activison could spare some of the billions of dollars they made on MW2 on this, instead of blowing it all on solid gold rocket ships.