Ok appologies for the caps but an article in the SMH today caught my attention as it will catch yours:
Should Australian adults have the right to buy computer games featuring high-level violence, sexual content or illegal drug use?
The Federal Government wants to hear from the public on whether an R18+ classification for video games is needed and has released a 14-page discussion paper outlining the arguments for and against
It seems like a simple enough question given that there has long been an adult classification for films, but the issue has created a giant rift between the ever increasing army of gamers – the average age of whom is 30 – and the older politicians in charge of administering Australia’s censorship regime.
Tempers have been flaring for years but the debate has ramped up this year after no less than six games were banned because they were not suitable for 15-year-olds.
Some, such as Left 4 Dead 2, were heavily censored and later allowed to be sold but others, such as the highly anticipated Aliens vs Predator, are unlikely to ever be sold in local games outlets.
It is believed about 74 video games have been banned in Australia since 1995 because they do not meet MA15+ standards for violence, drug use or sexual content.
The state and federal attorneys-general must all agree to the R18+ classification for video games before it is introduced and while Victoria and the ACT have made statements in support of the measure, South Australia’s Attorney-General, Michael Atkinson, steadfastly refuses to change his stance that children need to be protected from violent video games at all costs.
Ron Curry, chief executive of the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association, encouraged all Australians to have their say during the public consultation period, which ends on February 28 next year.
But he questioned whether the public input would result in anything meaningful given Atkinson’s staunch resistance to R18+ games. Asked whether the entire exercise was futile, Curry said “i’m not holding my breath”.
