R18+ Video Game Rating 7:30 Report

In Australia there is an ongoing debate as to whether an R18+ rating should be attached to video games. Violent movies currently have one and many gamers, distributors and developers want equal treatment.

Last night on ABC the 7:30 Report which is a Current Affairs program aired this segment discussing all sides of the debate.

Much of the decision rests with South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson who has repeatedly blocked pushes for an R18+ rating because of his personal views on games and their detrimental impacts on children. He was interviewed on Good Game (ABC's Gamer Show) and claimed gamers were more violent than motorcycle gangs after numerous web attacks on his office.

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s2820102.htm

As of March 21st, Michael Atkinson has retired from his position. What this means is unknown at the moment, but it is more likely games won't be refused classification as before.

http://news.vgchartz.com/news.php?id=7529

The issue first gained public attention when Fallout 3 was denied classification because it showed a player injecting themselves with a drug which would enhance their killing abilities. A toned down version was later released. It then gained serious notice when Left4Dead 2 was banned because of the ways players could violently decapitate zombies. It was approved an MA15+ rating after the game was heavily censored.

Other notable occurrences include Modern Warfare 2 which was almost banned after Atkinson discovered the No Russian level allowing players to kill civilians at an airport (as an undercover agent) He made several claims which were wrong and ultimately nothing was changed. More recently Aliens vs Predator 3 was on the chopping block but managed to pass through because aliens were causing physical harm to humans, not other humans.

At present there have been multiple arguments. One is for censorship and the freedom to play anything without it being toned down because many believe games won't get more violent and they just want to see the game as the developers intended. One is for an R18 rating to divide the already violent games in the MA15 category and place them in R18. One is for no rating because it encourages more violent games to be produced and games are the most interactive experience not to the real thing.

A petition which includes 55,000 signatures (EB Games was responsible for many of these) was sent to the Federal Government for them to consider the matter in April at a Standing Committee.

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• Gaming
• Debate
• Current Affair
• Australia
• Rating
• R18
• 7:30 Report
• Left4Dead 2
• Fallout 3
• Aliens vs Predator 2
• Violence
• Censorship
• Interactive
• Shooting
• No Russian
• Gamespot
• Good Game

[sjcobra84]

@1Dudelove AGREED!! LONG LIVE VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES

[YouPettyEarthling]

Michael Atkinson types with 2 fingers. What a noob!

[colin4393]

@videogamegenius Dude, you're from America. Enough said.

[videogamegenius]

@bigears999 LOL no thanks. I hear enough.

[bigears999]

@videogamegenius You should try living here...

[bigears999]

These people (in the video clip) seem to think that games like Postal 2 and other violent games like it, are going to get into that hands of children. That maybe, but if so then that would have been the responsibility of... wait for it... wait for it... THE PARENTS! I've not been sighing petitions since the late 90's for an R18+ rating just so children can play them, I've been sighing them so ADULTS can play R18+ games. Does that mean adults play video games? Damn right we do!

[MADMANx511]

@KvSwooo Dude. Import from the UK. It was only like $50.00AUD to do so for me :D Brilliant game.

[KvSwooo]

sigh, i would really like to of played the latest mortal kombat

[saltireBLACKOPS]

I swear the Australian government are the most sensitive fucking people in the world.

[Pain9889]

I hate it how they blame games for killings. eg is Manhunt some dumb kid decided to stab his best friend and was obsessed with it their for they blamed the game its the fucking parents fault and the kid's fault

[DEVISTATAAA]

WE NEED R18+ games it isnt fair all the other countries get the fun and we have to have to be treated like a child!

[pootisofwar]

dont re-rate saints row the third with a R18 classification keep it MA-15+