R18+ Ratings in Australia: It's the Economy, Stupid

[Neverhoodian]

I'm glad they're deciding to take this new approach. It's no secret that the power of trade and jobs can bring people together:

 

[snafu11485]

LOL OMG that is the funniest thing I ever read. This poor sod really needs a fact check.

How do you figure?

don't mind him, I think he might very well be one of those "vocal minorities" who were against it, and have recently discovered a very fancy thing called "the internet".

Hard to tell though.

He's probably just one of those 15y/o's who won't be able to get his r18+ games from the shop any more.

actually PrinceofPersia is from the good old usa, where their rating system isn't enforced by law, it's merely advisory (which is why there's so many 13 year old yanks playing COD and annoying the crap out of everyone) because having a ratings system enforced by law would infringe on their freedoms, same reason as why they don't have to vote. In australia the rating system IS backed by the law and any store that sells/rents movies or games to someone that the rating prohibits then they can be fined (and possibly jailed but i'd have to check).

This is why I find the whole argument against having the R+18 rating flawed as it would actually limit access to "inappropriate" material to minors that are currently present in majority of the MA+15 games on the shelf. Of course this wouldn't stop parents or older siblings/friends from buying it for them but at least mum/dad would think twice before buying an R+18 game for their 13 year old rather than an MA+15 game for b'day/xmas.

 

[Andy Chalk]

EDIT: Oh forgot to mention, I know people that got layed off last year from Studios closing their doors and there is a huge lack of industry activity over here. Government doesn't do shit to help out video games or see the benefits.

But don't you think it's inherently difficult to support the game industry in a country with such a dysfunctional rating system? That seems to be the point O'Connor is addressing: there's a huge economic opportunity here that Australia is missing out on, in large part because of this ongoing rating fiasco.

 

[Trogdor1138]

EDIT: Oh forgot to mention, I know people that got layed off last year from Studios closing their doors and there is a huge lack of industry activity over here. Government doesn't do shit to help out video games or see the benefits.

But don't you think it's inherently difficult to support the game industry in a country with such a dysfunctional rating system? That seems to be the point O'Connor is addressing: there's a huge economic opportunity here that Australia is missing out on, in large part because of this ongoing rating fiasco.

Yes, I do agree, that's kind of my point. This needs a lot of fixing before video games meet it's potential a full fledged industry here and there has been little to no help from the "people above".

Just because there is no R rating does not mean the games industry over here has to be ruined though, there will rarely be cases involving the banning and censoring of a game in the grand scheme of things, regardless of what you hear. This R rating thing is far more a matter of principle to me and to a lot of people.

There are a lot of really skilled people over here who can do amazing work in games, yet after they graduate or learn their skills, there is nowhere for them to go to. The only option for a lot of them is indie work and being self-sufficient, which is unreliable and not what they had in mind.

 

[LawlessSquirrel]

I really hate our system, it only takes one person to put a stop to any progress, and it only takes inactivity to push something through that wouldn't normally make it. Seriously, we're a 'democracy' in name only. Hell, we're doing great on paper, but I rarely meet someone that isn't in trouble financially nowadays.

I don't think any amount of logic and reason is going to help, when you need to be convincing the most stubborn people in Australia to get it through, and even then they can be overwritten or just feign consensus. The only way they'll budge is if they start to think their jobs are on the line...which hopefully they are, given the apparent opposition they face. And hey, appealing to greed may just be the way to get the rest of the government to start pushing.

I don't know how things work over in Australia, but in the US despite being decades older there's a lower rate of compliance to the age guidelines for movies than there are for video games.

Both systems are voluntarily implemented by the industry itself, and they follow almost identical criteria for ratings. In some respects the ESRB has stricter guidelines for what quantifies an "M" and "T" rating.

If people want to disregard what the ratings are telling them it's not the government's place to complain or really do anything.

I might be wrong here, but I believe OFLC ratings are compulsory or the game is banned for sale. It's a nice government-enforced cash cow because it isn't cheap to try again. It's why we're not allowed to use the Indie feature on XBLA; because the games aren't officially rated (or so I hear).

 

[RicoADF]

God I'm sick of hearing about this, dammit Australia just get with the times and DO IT ALREADY!!

We have, just a few old men who don't understand it haven't. But sooner or later we will win, even if its only because they've died of old age

 

[rabidmidget]

You see the problem with that argument is that you assume the Australian Government gives half a fuck about our Game Industry, which I can assure you, it doesn't.

I might have to disagree with you there. Whether or not the government "cares" about gamers is one thing but given the explosive growth of the videogame industry and the serious money it can pump into local and even national economies, I think any government that actually considers the situation will give a very full fuck about it. This is big business you're talking about.

I'm not saying that the Game industry isn't an important one, I agree with you there, what I was saying was that despite this, the Australian Game Industry has been more or less on its own in terms of help from the Government and I doubt the Government will suddenly start caring now, I would like it to, very much so, but it doesn't seem likely.

 

[crotchdot]

Surprised the Christian Lobby Party didn't come back with something along the lines of "They're just desperate."

The Australian Christian Lobby actually did release a statement saying that O'Connor's argument has reduced the debate to a "farce". Their reasoning? They stated that the argument was first about the rights of adults (which it is), then it was about protecting children (which it also is), now it's about the economy (also true).

I think because all they have is a bullshit argument that no-one's buying anymore (think of the children), they're just a tad envious that there's not just one, but many good reasons for us to have an R rating.

 

[Radelaide]

As an Australian, I just want to say this...
If the 'making money' angle doesn't work, then the attorney-generals will never budge from their stupid position with any rational argument

Don't worry, I hear their choices are either to budge now or lose their decision-making priveliges. Presumably because they are very nearly the only people in government holding out against all this change, which doesn't feel very democratic for the rest of us.

"Either make the right decision or I'll make it for you."

That's good parenting right there.

/first in line to buy Brendan O'Conner a drink.

 

[ImprovizoR]

For the sake of Australian gamers I hope they listen to this man.

 

[infohippie]

I don't know how things work over in Australia, but in the US despite being decades older there's a lower rate of compliance to the age guidelines for movies than there are for video games.

Both systems are voluntarily implemented by the industry itself, and they follow almost identical criteria for ratings. In some respects the ESRB has stricter guidelines for what quantifies an "M" and "T" rating.

If people want to disregard what the ratings are telling them it's not the government's place to complain or really do anything.

The difference is, ratings in Australia are legally mandated. The classification board is appointed by the government and the government has set the definitions of the categories. It is not legal to sell content in Australia until it has been rated by the board. It is also against the law to sell a product rated for 18+ to a minor, or purchase same to give to a minor. There is nothing voluntary about it at all.

 

[brendonnelly]

You see the problem with that argument is that you assume the Australian Government gives half a fuck about our Game Industry, which I can assure you, it doesn't.

I might have to disagree with you there. Whether or not the government "cares" about gamers is one thing but given the explosive growth of the videogame industry and the serious money it can pump into local and even national economies, I think any government that actually considers the situation will give a very full fuck about it. This is big business you're talking about.

Actually, I'm fairly sure the labor government support the move for an R 18+ rating.
http://games.slashdot.org/story/10/12/05/0133245/Australian-R18-Games-Rating-Gets-Govt-Support

 

[prefectimo]

&nbsp&nbspThis is pretty cool, I know I won't benifit because I only really game online on my PC (via League of Legend and in November BF3) and on my 3DS. I doubt Nintendo will allow an R18+ game on a 3DS anytime soon, and I can order games online.

&nbsp&nbspFor those thousands upon thousands of Aussie gamers who have been waiting this is good news. I also like how they will make the decision if the old men on top of the hill won't do it for us.

&nbsp&nbspI just hope no foolish person does something stupid and blame it on R18+ games just to get out of trouble if they finally implement it.

 

[TacticalAssassin1]

I really hate our system, it only takes one person to put a stop to any progress, and it only takes inactivity to push something through that wouldn't normally make it. Seriously, we're a 'democracy' in name only. Hell, we're doing great on paper, but I rarely meet someone that isn't in trouble financially nowadays.

I don't think any amount of logic and reason is going to help, when you need to be convincing the most stubborn people in Australia to get it through, and even then they can be overwritten or just feign consensus. The only way they'll budge is if they start to think their jobs are on the line...which hopefully they are, given the apparent opposition they face. And hey, appealing to greed may just be the way to get the rest of the government to start pushing.

I don't know how things work over in Australia, but in the US despite being decades older there's a lower rate of compliance to the age guidelines for movies than there are for video games.

Both systems are voluntarily implemented by the industry itself, and they follow almost identical criteria for ratings. In some respects the ESRB has stricter guidelines for what quantifies an "M" and "T" rating.

If people want to disregard what the ratings are telling them it's not the government's place to complain or really do anything.

I might be wrong here, but I believe OFLC ratings are compulsory or the game is banned for sale. It's a nice government-enforced cash cow because it isn't cheap to try again. It's why we're not allowed to use the Indie feature on XBLA; because the games aren't officially rated (or so I hear).

Fucking hate our government. I wish everyone got pissed off and overthrew the bastards already. Not to mention that on a lot of topics neither party offers anything sensible (Julia Gillard offers the NBN, but threatens to enforce internet filtering (THAT DOESNT WORK) and Tony Abbott promises no filters but loathes the NBN) And the only party to have sensible policies goes and calls themselves the "Australian Sex Party". For christs sake.

 

[DeadDodo]

If you can't get to your objective using right-hand turns, use left-hand turns.

Hmm... that saying doesn't translate well into English, but I'm sure you guys get the gist.

try "if you can't turn right, take three lefts." Also, I get it and I will start saying it immediately!

Thank you, that makes much more sense. It's nicely in keeping with the spirit of the Dutch saying. I'll be using your version from now on.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

But don't you think it's inherently difficult to support the game industry in a country with such a dysfunctional rating system? That seems to be the point O'Connor is addressing: there's a huge economic opportunity here that Australia is missing out on, in large part because of this ongoing rating fiasco.

It's a load of donkey bollocks.

The retail and distro sections of the game industry are doing good. The occasional RC'd title isn't going to break anyone in those sections.

The real problem is the development section... and that's in a right bloody state. The problem was pretty much self-created, too. Most Aussie devs, apart from a couple of satellite studios for larger, foreign developers, have mostly worked on shovelware for large, foreign publishers or subcontracted it from larger, foreign devs. Notice the theme here? Basically, because they didn't have the confidence in their product nor the investment funds, Aussie developers took on as much shit work as they could... and built their reps on being able to churn out shovelware in short time. Which all worked pretty well for a few years until the Aussie dollar got strong enough that it was no longer economically viable to contract all the shit work out to Aussies. Cue the collapse of several of the larger aussie developers, woe and the gnashing of teeth. Now most Aussie developers have turned to mobile/handheld game dev.

Also, a pox on the Australian Commonwealth govt and the Victorian State government for letting Melbourne House die off. It was the oldest existing game dev studio in the Southern Hemisphere.

 

[Phishfood]

If you can't get to your objective using right-hand turns, use left-hand turns.

Hmm... that saying doesn't translate well into English, but I'm sure you guys get the gist.

try "if you can't turn right, take three lefts." Also, I get it and I will start saying it immediately!

I prefer "two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts do." Same point though.

 

[harvz]

hmm, now the idiots holding this up are going to be torn between being dicks and cash...i expect their heads to implode

 

[SenseOfTumour]

You know, almost every news story I read makes me think ties restrict blood flow to the brain, as every guy in a suit making a statement seems to be talking utter nonsense.

Then this guy comes along.

I'm utterly in favour of legalising ratings, making it criminal to sell '18' games and movies to those under age.

The problem is, in the US, for that to go thru, they have to strip gaming of its artistic merit, and any 'freedom of speech' that comes with that. I don't rightly understand why you can't have a legal age rating without stripping an entire industry of its rights, but there you go.

Everywhere else, go for it, sell 18 games legally to adults, and then giggle as you roll around in the millions of dollars that COD:MW3, Fallout 4 and GTA 5 brings in.