Aussie AG Shelves Proposed 18+ Rating [Archive]

DoctorFinger

10-30-2008, 06:33 AM

You can usually write the stories well in advance. A violent and bloody game nears release, and news comes down that because of objectionable content the game will be either heavily edited or outright banned in two places: Germany and Australia. The German opposition to violent media stems from stringent laws passed in the wake of WWII, but the Aussie ban is for a much simpler reason: their highest content rating for a game is 15, effectively banning any title which has content you wouldn't want a 15 year old to see.

But gamers thought that may change after a March agreement by Censorship Ministers (and yes, that's their title) to at least study the fesability of creating an 18+ rating for video games. That hope was effectively dashed today when South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson refused to release the already completed study to the public. This essentially takes the issue off the table in Australia, and means no changes to the game rating system is likely in the near term.

It's especially disappointing in light of a study released earlier this week which revealed that for the first time the average Aussie gamer is now over the age of 30.

Sources - The Age (http://blogs.theage.com.au/screenplay/archives//010915.html); Joystiq (http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/29/aussie-ag-halts-r18-rating-for-games-indefinitely/).

TrackZero

10-30-2008, 06:57 AM

Nice, the only reason to hide a study is because you don't want people to see the results.

boratika

10-30-2008, 07:01 AM

To use a phrase I once heard Dis use:

Jesus-fucking-facepalm-Christ!

This guy is basically Jack Thompson...only in a position of power.

Edit:

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/boratika/Jesus_facepalm.jpg

Mike Kelehan

10-30-2008, 07:11 AM

What, exactly, is the downside of creating a higher rating? Regulate the hell out of them. Make it so they have to be sold from behind the counter in brown paper bags, and people have to ask for them by name. Just don't outright ban them.

fitbabits

10-30-2008, 07:27 AM

And to think, back in the heyday of Nighbours and Home & Away, I seriously thought about moving to Australia.

This is very disappointing and I feel for our Australian brothers and sisters.

Savok

10-30-2008, 07:32 AM

Stmfuller

10-30-2008, 07:32 AM

boratika

10-30-2008, 07:34 AM

And to think, back in the heyday of Nighbours and Home & Away, I seriously thought about moving to Australia.

This is very disappointing and I feel for our Australian brothers and sisters.
Am I reading this right?

You thought about moving to Australia because of Neighbours and Home and Away?

That's like someone saying "those clockspiders look awesome! I'm moving there"

Side note: Saw my first clockspider of the season last nigh. It was a little one and outside though.

Savok

10-30-2008, 07:36 AM

Am I reading this right?

You thought about moving to Australia because of Neighbours and Home and Away?

That's like someone saying "those clockspiders look awesome! I'm moving there"

Side note: Saw my first clockspider of the season last nigh. It was a little one and outside though.
I'd like to point out I called him a fucking idiot once quite awhile back now. Once again I'm ahead of the curve. :p

fitbabits

10-30-2008, 07:40 AM

Am I reading this right?

You thought about moving to Australia because of Neighbours and Home and Away?

That's like someone saying "those clockspiders look awesome! I'm moving there"

Side note: Saw my first clockspider of the season last nigh. It was a little one and outside though.
You're reading it right. As advertisements for your country, both shows did more to impress me than any 30-second infomercial.

fitbabits

10-30-2008, 07:41 AM

I'd like to point out I called him a fucking idiot once quite awhile back now. Once again I'm ahead of the curve. :p
You know, I remember that day like it was yesterday - and it still hurts.

Crowe

10-30-2008, 07:44 AM

This comes as no surprise, this prick comes from South Australia, and they breed a lot of fucking weirdos. They also talk funny, I bet this guy is right up there with the best (worst) of them.

Also, I wouldn't say I loved either of those 2 shows, but I watched them religiously in Primary school, and even some secondary when there was nothing better to do. Simpsons at 6, then Neighbours, then Home and Away.

boratika

10-30-2008, 07:46 AM

It's the same reason that people get all up in arms over porn. Some people want it, some people like it, but all the old people "with the vote" think it's created by satan and therefore is their "god given" duty to abolish it.

I tried to write an explanation of his "justifications", but my head hurts just trying to think about it. So instead I will point you to this Kotaku article (http://www.kotaku.com.au/games/2008/03/06/why_michael_atkinsons_opposal_of_r18_does_bugger_a ll_to_protect_kids_promotes_crime.html), which says just about everything that can said on the matter. And pluck this choice quote for those too lazy to read the full thing:

" Proponents for the classification say the latest technology allows gaming platforms and computers to be programmed to allow parental locks. Today’s children are far more technologically savvy than their parents. It’s laughable to suggest that they couldn’t find ways around parental locks if R18+ games were in the home."

Atkinson attacks his own argument here. I agree that parental locks are not the way to go, and even a waste of time. But by Atkinson's own reasoning, there are kids intelligent enough to pirate games via P2P file sharing or, if they seek a legitimate method, importing titles from overseas. In fact, by not having an R18+ rating, the government unintentionally encourages people to pirate games or spend their money outside the local economy.

Crowe

10-30-2008, 07:52 AM

What I think this guy really needs to do is harden is fuck.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1EY7lYRneHc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1EY7lYRneHc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

boratika

10-30-2008, 07:56 AM

You're reading it right. As advertisements for your country, both shows did more to impress me than any 30-second infomercial.

D7ci3b-IsWg

Also ties in with what Savok was saying.

Crowe

10-30-2008, 07:59 AM

Hahaha, that video was classic ^^^

DoctorFinger

10-30-2008, 08:06 AM

Savok

10-30-2008, 08:36 AM

So you're saying that South Australia is your Boston? :eek:
Oh it's much better then Boston, South Australia only produces things like serial killers and clown rapists, it's never done anything as bad as Ted Kennedy.

Savok

10-30-2008, 08:50 AM

D7ci3b-IsWg

Also ties in with what Savok was saying.
Hehe

God I wish The Games "No Wucking Furries" video was at Youtube or something...

MagGnome

10-30-2008, 11:12 AM

Side note: Saw my first clockspider of the season last nigh. It was a little one and outside though.

I was standing in the kitchen last night when I looked down at the floor and noticed a rather large (maybe an inch and a half across) spider sitting right next to my big toe.

He was obviously sizing me up for a snack! :eek:

I feel bad for you guys and gals in Australia. This news is ridiculous. Sounds like something the Bush administration would do.

Savok

10-30-2008, 12:00 PM

Actually censorship is very much a left wing thing because it's to do with control, why you see so many Democrats attacking videogames.

For the record South Australia has been run by the ALP, our left, since 2002, and the ALP does love their control.

DylonCorp

10-30-2008, 12:57 PM

Hey Aussies! Your AG's a dick! Here's the results of a GIS for "australian thumbs down"! You earned it!

http://www.skateparkoftampa.com/spot/images/au06ysketchychicken.jpg

Except for Savok. He's exempt. No weird food on stick man for you, my friend.

Johan

10-30-2008, 03:15 PM

I'm really confused about Australia. For a country with so many ways to die in the water and on land from poisonous critters, it sure seems a bit paranoid about games. I'd be more concerned about the spiders the size of small birds...:confused:

boratika

10-30-2008, 05:30 PM

Actually censorship is very much a left wing thing because it's to do with control, why you see so many Democrats attacking videogames.
(quick note for foreigners: the two main political parties in Australia are the Liberals and Labor. In theory at least, the Liberals are on the right and labor on the left)

For the record South Australia has been run by the ALP, our left, since 2002, and the ALP does love their control.

That's...really just not true. This is a ratings system that was put in place by a Liberal federal government.

The current internet filter, that we're seeing from Labor, was on the cards when the Liberals in power. The reason their filter cost $83 million was because it had an ISP side component that would have been brought in, if only the optional download hadn't been such a spectacular failure and PR disaster.

Pick up a copy of the book Snatched: Sex and Censorship in Australia and weep for the body image of girls as they're only supposed to see air-brushed labia. How can they live up to that? (Well, they'll probably use the internet to see what they actually look like. I don't have much faith in the filter stopping that if they're half smart)

Really as far I see, it is a thoroughly non-partisan issue. Though there is a bit of a difference between the parties in that labor don't want you to see violence and the liberals don't want you to see girly bits (odly, they don't seem to fussed about you seeing wangs...)

Really it seems to me less about what side of the political spectrum they come from and more just about old men thinking they know what's best for you, despite their lack of understanding of the technology they are condemning.

Grunter

10-30-2008, 07:42 PM

That's...really just not true. This is a ratings system that was put in place by a Liberal federal government.

The current internet filter, that we're seeing from Labor, was on the cards when the Liberals in power. The reason their filter cost $83 million was because it had an ISP side component that would have been brought in, if only the optional download hadn't been such a spectacular failure and PR disaster.

Pick up a copy of the book Snatched: Sex and Censorship in Australia and weep for the body image of girls as they're only supposed to see air-brushed labia. How can they live up to that? (Well, they'll probably use the internet to see what they actually look like. I don't have much faith in the filter stopping that if they're half smart)

Really as far I see, it is a thoroughly non-partisan issue. Though there is a bit of a difference between the parties in that labor don't want you to see violence and the liberals don't want you to see girly bits (odly, they don't seem to fussed about you seeing wangs...)

Really it seems to me less about what side of the political spectrum they come from and more just about old men thinking they know what's best for you, despite their lack of understanding of the technology they are condemning.

Or to summarize, "The Pollies down under 'ave got a few roos loose in the top paddock."

Savok

10-30-2008, 07:55 PM

That's...really just not true. This is a ratings system that was put in place by a Liberal federal government.

The current internet filter, that we're seeing from Labor, was on the cards when the Liberals in power. The reason their filter cost $83 million was because it had an ISP side component that would have been brought in, if only the optional download hadn't been such a spectacular failure and PR disaster.

Pick up a copy of the book Snatched: Sex and Censorship in Australia and weep for the body image of girls as they're only supposed to see air-brushed labia. How can they live up to that? (Well, they'll probably use the internet to see what they actually look like. I don't have much faith in the filter stopping that if they're half smart)

Really as far I see, it is a thoroughly non-partisan issue. Though there is a bit of a difference between the parties in that labor don't want you to see violence and the liberals don't want you to see girly bits (odly, they don't seem to fussed about you seeing wangs...)

Really it seems to me less about what side of the political spectrum they come from and more just about old men thinking they know what's best for you, despite their lack of understanding of the technology they are condemning.
Oh yes both sides have gotten their hands dirty with this, I'm just sick of mindless Bush bashing (especially when there's a lot of perfectly legitimate things you can have a go at him about). He's been in power 8 years and done nothing about videogames (for once being a proper conservative and staying the fuck away from things), meanwhile people like Hilary fucking Clinton were screaming at the top of their lungs about games.

boratika

10-30-2008, 08:00 PM

TrackZero

10-30-2008, 10:12 PM

I thought we were talking about Australia:confused:

Yeah, I don't know what Savok was smoking there.

DylonCorp

10-30-2008, 10:46 PM

He didn't read my spoiler text, and thought the snacking fellows were directed at him.

So here's the result of searching for "awesome Australian"!

http://www.niagara-galleries.com.au/graphics/Catalogues/books/awesome.jpg

All for you, Savvy!

kropotkin

10-31-2008, 01:11 AM

Shocking. Just shocking. Also amazingly narrow minded! Video games are played by people over the age of 18. Really, they are. We just have to wait for the establishment to die off we really do.

As for video game industry in Australia I can only see this doing massive harm to it :( Is there anything we can do to help? Someone we can write to? Anything???

MagGnome

10-31-2008, 05:31 AM

Oh yes both sides have gotten their hands dirty with this, I'm just sick of mindless Bush bashing (especially when there's a lot of perfectly legitimate things you can have a go at him about). He's been in power 8 years and done nothing about videogames (for once being a proper conservative and staying the fuck away from things), meanwhile people like Hilary fucking Clinton were screaming at the top of their lungs about games.

I didn't say anything about Bush and videogames. This AG didn't release the study because he didn't like the results, and I said that sounds like something that George Bush would do. There's plenty of examples of Bush and his administration refusing to release/give information to the public, so I stand by what I said.

You can unwad your panties and stop defending our shitty president now.

Edit - Also, I want to personally apologize to the rest of the thread readers (boratika) for my previous Bush dig. Not that I regret getting in a jab at Bush; I just want to keep the thread on topic. Please continue your discussion. :)

MagGnome

10-31-2008, 05:32 AM

I thought we were talking about Australia:confused:

Maybe he was thinking of the "bush folk"?? :p

Purple Santa

10-31-2008, 05:50 AM

I was standing in the kitchen last night when I looked down at the floor and noticed a rather large (maybe an inch and a half across) spider sitting right next to my big toe.

He was obviously sizing me up for a snack! :eek:

I feel bad for you guys and gals in Australia. This news is ridiculous. Sounds like something the Bush administration would do.
Wow. I wasn't sure where you were going with your spider story there...but not I see it was just an analogy for Bush being the spider...and the U.S. being your big toe...or maybe not...well I liked the tie in anyway :p

You can unwad your panties and stop defending our shitty president now.

Edit - Also, I want to personally apologize to the rest of the thread readers (boratika) for my previous Bush dig. Not that I regret getting in a jab at Bush; I just want to keep the thread on topic. Please continue your discussion. :)

Ms. Claus said any talk of panties should be in her thread...she said you need to post some too...

And you can derail a thread anytime with a story...and then tie it back in...they are very thought provoking ;)

Rylos

10-31-2008, 06:01 AM

For those that don't know, South Australia is the home of Australia's mentally ill (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowtown_murders) and generally fucked up shit (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21427987-29277,00.html).

Yep, this just about sums it up really. They really are a unique bunch of people over in South Australia. The whole state is just like this one giant, fucking anomaly. :confused:

Savok

10-31-2008, 06:09 AM

God dammit I made a post and it's vanished.

I thought we were talking about Australia:confused:
We are, only we tend not to have anti-videogame crusades here, this asshole aside of course.

In fact our entire problem is the amount of inaction being taken.

Johan

10-31-2008, 06:59 AM

we tend not to have anti-videogame crusades here, this asshole aside of course.

I'm sure! Why conduct a crusade when the titles aren't even allowed anyways? :rolleyes:

Seriously...that's pretty silly, don't you think? Of course there aren't many crusades, if any; the games are blocked entirely!

Savok

10-31-2008, 07:50 AM

I'm sure! Why conduct a crusade when the titles aren't even allowed anyways? :rolleyes:

Seriously...that's pretty silly, don't you think? Of course there aren't many crusades, if any; the games are blocked entirely!
99% of what should be R is pushed through as MA. The current affair programs have on occasion tried to jump start a crusade but they never take. Honestly it speaks more of the Australian culture with our "fuck it, who cares" attitude.

And if you keep rolling your eyes like that they're going to roll right out of your head.

Johan

10-31-2008, 08:00 AM

99% of what should be R is pushed through as MA.

99.5% of statistics thrown around on the Internet are pulled of of people's sphincter portholes, too! (waits expectantly for proof of this "99%" claim).

Also, I like rolling my eyes when someone says something ridiculous. :rolleyes: I eagerly await the next video game whose content is changed worldwide to make Australia's censors happy.

Savok

10-31-2008, 08:21 AM

You haven't changed a fucking bit have you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_banned_video_games#Australia

Now think of all the ultra violent games that don't even make that list.

Johan

10-31-2008, 09:14 AM

You haven't changed a fucking bit have you.

Neither have you!

That's a long list compared to America's! :D

MagGnome

10-31-2008, 04:24 PM

Wow. I wasn't sure where you were going with your spider story there...but not I see it was just an analogy for Bush being the spider...and the U.S. being your big toe...or maybe not...well I liked the tie in anyway :p

Ms. Claus said any talk of panties should be in her thread...she said you need to post some too...

And you can derail a thread anytime with a story...and then tie it back in...they are very thought provoking ;)

You read way too far into my spider story...or did you? ;)

I'm glad you found my comments thought provoking. It's nice to know that someone around here appreciates me! :p

God dammit I made a post and it's vanished.

Political differences aside, banning/not rating these games in Australia really is ridiculous, and I feel for you gamers who live down there. On that we can definitely agree.

Savok

10-31-2008, 09:30 PM

Political differences aside, banning/not rating these games in Australia really is ridiculous, and I feel for you gamers who live down there. On that we can definitely agree.
You know we still don't have Chrono Trigger? Both the SNES and PSX versions never came here. They actually went out of their way changing how the Final Fantasy ports were done so we'd miss out. The DS version is coming, but next fucking year like we haven't already waited enough.

Then when we do get games, they're missing chunks. Ridiculous works, but maybe we need to invent a stronger word for it.

Variable Gear

10-31-2008, 10:13 PM

I feel for you Australian gamers. It sounds rough down there, that's for sure.

MagGnome

11-01-2008, 08:24 AM

You know we still don't have Chrono Trigger? Both the SNES and PSX versions never came here. They actually went out of their way changing how the Final Fantasy ports were done so we'd miss out. The DS version is coming, but next fucking year like we haven't already waited enough.

Then when we do get games, they're missing chunks. Ridiculous works, but maybe we need to invent a stronger word for it.

Yikes! Why don't you have Chrono Trigger? I haven't played the whole game, but I don't recall anything that would be considered "inappropriate".

You guys really do have it rough down there. :eek:

Savok

11-01-2008, 09:48 AM

Basically we don't get a lot of games at all. Especially bad in the late SNES/PSX era. Off the top of my head, Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, Legend of Mana, Final Fantasy Tactics (we did get the PSP port), the SNES Final Fantasys (we did get the PSX ports eventually), uh.... there's a fuckton more, can't remember them though.

Lot of limited release stuff too, like only 5k units and other bullshit. In that list are games like Armoured Core (the PSX ones, the PS2 were somewhat more plentiful), Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.... you know speaking of which I've yet to see an Australian release date on that latest one for DS.

Widgetcraft

11-01-2008, 10:41 AM

Honestly... if I were a gamer, born in Australia, I would move at the first possible opportunity. I don't see how you guys can keep anyone intelligent down there, I would think that anyone with half a brain would jump ship immediately. The thought police don't usually get along well with smart people.

Savok

11-01-2008, 12:19 PM

Widgetcraft

11-01-2008, 12:39 PM

They did leave, we have a skills shortage, nurse shortage.... even worse in New Zealand. I expect that's why the country is currently being run by an idiot (who can speak Mandarin!) who doesn't know his arse from his elbow.

Come Nov 4th though and I may not be the only one worrying about the thought police.

Are you referring to the hardline Democrats who want to sanitize everything, or the hardline Republicans who just want to burn every piece of media that isn't the Bible?

Pro-tip: All extremists want to control your mind.