Australian R18+ Video Game Rating Public Consultation Goes Online
50 replies, posted
The Australian Government has today released a discussion paper which briefly summarises the key arguments for and against an R 18+ classification for computer games, which currently does not exist in the country. This has led to the censoring of games in the past (L4D2, GTA4) and the outright banning of others (Alien Versus Predator). Censorship Ministers have considered the issue of an adult classification for computer games on several occasions but these efforts have been rejected by [b]a single[/b] state's Attorney General (Michael Atkinson). However, they have never undertaken public consultation on this issue.
Anyone wanting to get R18+ Video Game rating system into Australia, whether over the age of 18 [b]or under 18[/b] fill out these documents and send them, as it is the only way the government is going to get a definitive answer about what the public really want in regards to the R18+ Rating.
[url]http://www.ag.gov.au/gamesclassification[/url]
[url=http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/rwpattach.nsf/VAP/(3273BD3F76A7A5DEDAE36942A54D7D90)~Submission+template+-+computer+games+-+R+18plus+classification+category.doc/$file/Submission+template+-+computer+games+-+R+18plus+classification+category.doc]Direct link to the .doc submission[/url]
tl;dr This is the only way you can stop games like L4D2 being banned in this country in the future. Submit one. [b]It doesn't matter if you're under 18 or even if you don't live in Australia.[/b]
ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE AUSTRALIAN GET OFF YOUR ARSE AND SUBMIT ONE.
:australia:
P.S. Just underline your preferred answers or delete the shitty answers and send the file to [email]classificationreview@ag.gov.au[/email] .
Fucking. I'm not even Australian and I really want you guys to fucking do this.
im sure someone else will do it
[QUOTE=abcpea;18935607]im sure someone else will do it[/QUOTE]
I at first thought that but there is really no effort required in doing this. Also, it's a public consultation which means they are definitely going to look at the number of submissions.
I have written this for the Comments section.
[quote]I am not 18 years old yet but do believe that Australia needs a R18+ rating for video games as every popular form of media should. By forcing game developers to self-censor their games to MA15+ level, the government is being unfair to the majority of the gaming public who are well above the 18 age limit and to the developers who are forced to further spend time editing their game.
Without the R18+ limit, Australians will just continue to import non-censored games from overseas or try to restore the games to their original nature. With the adoption of a legal R18+ rating the money pumped into foreign economies from such spending will be stopped and so would any seemingly inane work by customs officials to stop the import of would-be R18+ games.
Additionally, the R18+ rating would mean that there would be parity between video games and other art forms, such as films, which would mean that there would be no need to educate the public of the new rating and there would also be international parity, meaning those from overseas would be able to easily identify and import Australian R18+ games.
The addition of an R18+ rating is the most important single change needed in Australia's rating system and there is a massive demand for one.
[/quote]
[editline]10:04PM[/editline]
[QUOTE=Robbazking;18935570]I have loled enough at you aussies, i'm going to help.
*Ah what the fuck how do i send this shit? Aussies.... you are on your own again! Go cry me a river.[/QUOTE]
You just have to underline or bold the answers that you believe and put a cross in or next to the box where it says there should be an R rating and send the .doc to [email]classificationreview@ag.gov.au[/email] .
Sent one. I want to see how this will turn out.
At least they are giving us a say in this. Hopefully they will reconsider an R18+ rating.
[QUOTE=unoriginalname;18935789]Sent one. I want to see how this will turn out.[/QUOTE]
If this thing gets enough attention it will make the single Attorney General that is against the R18+ rating seem like an even bigger douchebag in completely ignoring public opinion and going on his own crusade which would hopefully lead to him being voted out of office next year.
The public in Australia gets a say. :smug:
I read the legal shit about the censorship board and you need a unanimous vote from Attorney Generals from all states to change it. Michael Atkinson (South Australia Attorney General) is such a douche bag that unless he was politically threatened, he wouldn't vote against it.
At least they are giving us a chance to defend ourselves after saying that most of us didn't want it due to a bullshit study.
snip.
Hmm interesting Idea, i'll fill out the form now.
I put this in my comments...
The beliefs and values of Michael Atkinson should not and do not reflect the beliefs of the entire country and its citizens. Australians are not going to develop homicidal tendencies simply by playing video games. Every Gamer is not a potential serial-killing time bomb waiting to be ticked over. With Australians strict laws against firearms, the danger that could occur if Gamers became homicidal would be significantly decreased, when compared to the guns laws of western giants including the United States.
[QUOTE=Devodiere;18936651]I read the legal shit about the censorship board and you need a unanimous vote from Attorney Generals from all states to change it. Michael Atkinson (South Australia Attorney General) is such a douche bag that unless he was politically threatened, he wouldn't vote against it.
At least they are giving us a chance to defend ourselves after saying that most of us didn't want it due to a bullshit study.[/QUOTE]
Well he is up for election in 2010 and there is actually a gamer's rights party running.
[url]http://www.gamers4croydon.org/[/url]
But as you can see, they are probably going to get killed.
[img]http://www.gamers4croydon.org/_/rsrc/1253201232676/electoral-information/croydon_2006_results.PNG[/img]
The National Classification Scheme should have NOTHING to do with censorship. They should be focused on their job, that is to classify movies/games appropriately.
Done.
[QUOTE=Eleventeen;18936580]The public in Australia gets a say. :smug:[/QUOTE]
;D we sure do
Yay. I can't wait.
wow, there is a chance we can get the adult rating now.
[QUOTE=occer;18935690]I at first thought that but there is really no effort required in doing this. Also, it's a public consultation which means they are definitely going to look at the number of submissions.
I have written this for the Comments section.
[editline]10:04PM[/editline]
You just have to underline or bold the answers that you believe and put a cross in or next to the box where it says there should be an R rating and send the .doc to [email]classificationreview@ag.gov.au[/email] .[/QUOTE]
Send to Kevin Rudd...
I am/not 18 years old but i do believe that Australia needs a R18+ rating for video games as every popular form of media should. By forcing game developers to self-censor their games to MA15+ level, the government is being unfair to the majority of the gaming public who are well above the 18 age limit and to the developers who are forced to further spend time editing their game.
Without the R18+ limit, Australians will just continue to import non-censored games from overseas or try to restore the games to their original nature. With the adoption of a legal R18+ rating the money pumped into foreign economies from such spending will be stopped and so would any seemingly inane work by customs officials to stop the import of would-be R18+ games.
Additionally, the R18+ rating would mean that there would be parity between video games and other art forms, such as films, which would mean that there would be no need to educate the public of the new rating and there would also be international parity, meaning those from overseas would be able to easily identify and import Australian R18+ games.
The addition of an R18+ rating is the most important single change needed in Australia's rating system and there is a massive demand for one.
[url]http://www.pm.gov.au/PM_Connect/Email_your_PM[/url]
This is probably slightly more useful but you can send my comments if you like.
Where can you fill out this thingie?
I like the fact that they enforce ratings, keeps kids from playing the games.
Good thing I'm not Australian.
[editline]07:17PM[/editline]
:smug:
snip
[QUOTE=varj;18938306]Where can you fill out this thingie?[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=occer;18935389]
[url=http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/rwpattach.nsf/VAP/(3273BD3F76A7A5DEDAE36942A54D7D90)~Submission+template+-+computer+games+-+R+18plus+classification+category.doc/$file/Submission+template+-+computer+games+-+R+18plus+classification+category.doc]Direct link to the .doc submission[/url]
[/QUOTE]
Just delete the bad choices in the multiple choice.
Why the hell should a government have to tell their citizens what they can and can't watch/play. That's absolutely fucking retarded.
Filled out and sent. To be honest it doesn't bother me [i]that[/i] much because the prices over here are enough to justify importing regardless of whether I need an uncensored version or not.
[QUOTE=Alex_DeLarge;18948214]Why the hell should a government have to tell their citizens what they can and can't watch/play. That's absolutely fucking retarded.[/QUOTE]
.
Submission sent, also bumping thread for an excellent cause.
Just do it guys, you'll get that warm fuzzy feeling :v:
What was Atkinson's reason to veto the R18+ classification?
[QUOTE=Xybjj;18960634]What was Atkinson's reason to veto the R18+ classification?[/QUOTE]
He finds such games "moraly" indecent.
aka, he's a religious nut who loves power over the people.
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