Australian R18+ Games legislation passes the House of Representatives
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Source: [url]http://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/03/r18-legislation-passes-the-house-of-representatives/[/url]
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[release]R18+ legislation has taken its first tentative steps forward, passing through the House of Represenatives without amendment.
The next step for the bill is the Senate, which will be presented there in the coming weeks.
Jason Clare, Brendan O’Connor’s replacement as Minister for Home Affairs, remained on message, reinforcing the broad messages of his predecessor.
“The R18+ category will inform consumers, parents and retailers about which games are not suitable for minors to play, and will prevent minors from purchasing unsuitable material,” Mr Clare said.
“The reforms also mean that adults are able to choose what games they play within the bounds of the law.”
After a slightly bumpy beginning, with the legislation being sent back to a committee, progress is looking good. The process, however, remains a lengthy one. Once the bill passes through the senate, each state and territory must pass their own legislation in order for an adult classification for games to become a reality.
Still, it’s progress — and progress is good.[/release]
One step closer I suppose. Still the fact it passed without amendment has me hopeful.
Fingers crossed
It's a good step, however it is a strange one. All it does is create an R18+ rating, however it does not remove much of what hindered it before.
For instance, it doesn't remove any of the criteria that will result in a game being refused classification. This could include the depiction of sex, extreme depiction of drugs, extreme depiction of gore etc.
[QUOTE=DogGunn;35202925]It's a good step, however it is a strange one. All it does is create an R18+ rating, however it does not remove much of what hindered it before.
For instance, it doesn't remove any of the criteria that will result in a game being refused classification. This could include the depiction of sex, extreme depiction of drugs, extreme depiction of gore etc.[/QUOTE]
Babysteps, one thing at a time.
I am looking forward to being able to purchase games that aren't censored because of our rating limits, I am quite honestly excited for this to be brought in.
Better idea, eliminate state held ratings.
[QUOTE=certified;35208094]Better idea, eliminate state held ratings.[/QUOTE]
But the children!
Edit:
I was being sarcastic, sorry.
[QUOTE=GlebGuy;35208121]But the children![/QUOTE]
fuck the children, they want those games anyways
Finally, Australia is going to leave the 80's.
I think it's silly that Valve listens to the OFLC when distributing through Steam. What can they do about it to stop them?
I'm willing to bet that the only difference this will make is that some games that would have been rated MA15+ anyways will now be R18+.
As DogGunn said, same criteria. Some games that get rated 17+ elsewhere end up getting rated MA15+ here, and all this will do is provide an appropriate rating for some games.
Pretty sad that this is just gaining ground now. Hope you Aussies finally get to play games made for adults.
Maybe I'll get to play the uncut version of Left 4 Dead 2.
Seriously, i can't figure out how that didn't get an MA15+
Can someone please explain this to me, I'm a bit confuse right now.
Finally I'll get to play Left 4 Dead 2 uncut.
Yeah. I know
So now games can be classified as 18+ instead of just being banned.
[QUOTE=Zet;35211427]Finally, Australia is going to leave the 80's.[/QUOTE]
I didn't know Australians wear legwarmers and use two cans of hairspray each morning.
[QUOTE=TamTamJam;35212033]So now games can be classified as 18+ instead of just being banned.[/QUOTE]
Oh, well that's good.
[QUOTE=jordguitar;35208204][B]fuck the children[/B][/QUOTE]
Uh-oh, boys, we gott our selves a child fucker here!! Alert the moms!Q
[QUOTE=certified;35208094]Better idea, eliminate state held ratings.[/QUOTE]
What? You expect people to use the very same rights and freedoms that the government vows and abides for its fulfillment in order to determine in a rational and logical way what form of electronic entertainment is good for themselves, like the way it has been for every other type of media like books, television and film where ratings only serve to inform and not deter the consumer?
Are you out of your mind?
[QUOTE=luverofJ!93;35212107]Uh-oh, boys, we gott our selves a child fucker here!! Alert the moms!Q[/QUOTE]
this is not funny.
In any case, hold onto your asses still, Australia; even if there's been enough support to get things this far, you never know if something rams it off-track in the last steps.
[QUOTE=fruxodaily;35208073]I am looking forward to being able to purchase games that aren't censored because of our rating limits, I am quite honestly excited for this to be brought in.[/QUOTE]
Had to be negative, but games can still get banned/censored even if the R18 rating goes through. I just hope that the R18 won't bascially be MA 15+ but you have to be 3 years older to get the censored version regardless.
But I'm glad we are making that push, I just hope that this shit goes through. Even the bloody Germans have an 18 rating and they censor so many games anyway.
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