R18+ rating for computer games
It's been a few years since my open letter to the then South Australia Attorney General. I'm happy to hear that the voices of the wider community has finally been answered.
The Standing Committee of Attorneys-General decided a few hours ago to introduce an R18+ rating for video games in Australia, in line with films and television.
With the exception of NSW which has abstained from the vote, all states and territories have agreed to implement the rating at some stage, and NSW is likely to follow after a separate meeting.
If you didn’t know, Australia is one of the few countries that do not possess an R18+ classification for video games.
This means that games rated Adults Only in the USA or Europe (like Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto 4, Left 4 Dead 2 and Mortal Kombat) are refused classification and can’t be sold here.
What this meant was that some games (Left 4 Dead 2) are edited and released in Australia with toned-down violence to meet the MA15+ rating.
Other games are barred from entering the country since the developer refuses to edit the game (Mortal Kombat).
The worst scenario however, is that big budget games (Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto 4) are given preferential treatment, and reclassified as MA15+ with little to no edits in order to sell here. Year 10 students end up playing games that are meant for adults only.
Luckily for us, the end to misclassification looks near, and we adults can soon play the same games that the rest of the world is playing, while ensuring aussie parents know the difference between games for children, and games for adults.
Yeah!
Escape Theory Blog Post Number 1
Ah~ it feels good to own a part of the internet.
Welcome to the Escape Theory blog, where you'll find articles on Flash and assorted cool stuff.
-Garry