Luk3us 63 Posted January 17, 2010 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/natio...f-1225819431495 hahahahah. Oh you poor Aussies. I'm sure the next step will be to straight out ban R rated movies entirely. Share this post Link to post
Guest Stevie_K Posted January 17, 2010 I feel bad for you guys, since that R-rated is the category with most good movies imo. Share this post Link to post
Mighty BOB! 5 Posted January 18, 2010 Wow I really never would have thought that Australia of all places would start enacting such heavy censorship like they have recently with games and now this. Share this post Link to post
Gben 20 Posted February 4, 2010 The time to be heard is now: EB Games launches R18+ Classification Petition EB Games, Australia's largest video game and entertainment software retailer, today announced that they will be responding to overwhelming customer demand by throwing their full support behind the push for an R18+ classification for computer games in Australia. From today, in all 350 EB Games stores across Australia and online at www.ebgames.com.au consumers will be able to sign a petition that will be used to lobby the Government to introduce an R18+ classification category for computer games. This petition is in response to the Government's discussion paper and calls for submissions on the topic of: Should the Australian National Classification Scheme include an R 18+ classification category for computer games? When asked why EB Games has chosen to take the unprecedented step of supporting this issue with an instore and online campaign, Managing Director Steve Wilson responded, "Because our customers asked us to." Steve continued, "With the release of the Government's discussion paper, we knew as a company that we needed to act on this issue as it continues to cripple our industry and cost local jobs. We did however want to be sure that our customers were as passionate about the matter as we are." EB Games set up an online poll on www.ebgames.com.au and simply asked "Do you support an R18+ classification for video games?" In only 10 days, over 50,000 people responded to the survey with a resounding 84% (42,854) of respondents stating 'Yes, It's time for change!' "Our customers have sent us a message loud and clear that this is an issue that needs to be addressed and we only get one shot at this. Once this Government paper is closed, it could be many years before we get another chance to voice our opinion on this issue. The time to be heard is now" Steve stated. Steve continued to state "This is not a call for violent video games, but rather a call for a better classification system that brings Australia in line with the rest of the world and other Australian entertainment industries, such as films." To sign the petition and have your voice heard, head into your local EB Games store or visit www.ebgames.com.au. All petitions must be received by 14th February, 2010. http://www.ebgames.com.au/news-728-The-tim...cation-Petition What comes as a shock to many is that Australia is the only developed country without an R18+ rating for video games. Films, which fall under the same classification system, can be granted an R18+ or even X18+ rating but this is not the case for computer and video games. If a game exceeds the MA15+ rating, it is either refused classification or modified to fit within the rating guidelines. Our classification system needs to be changed so adults can play games as they were meant to be played. The Commonwealth Government has released a discussion paper to canvas public opinion on the possible introduction of an R18+ for Computer Games. You can participate in this public consultation by using our submission form . Don't forget to spread the word! http://www.growupaustralia.com/show-your-s...mes-submission/ This is my train of thought... ""This is not a call for violent video games, but rather a call for a better classification system that brings Australia in line with the rest of the world and other Australian entertainment industries, such as films." Share this post Link to post
Mighty BOB! 5 Posted February 5, 2010 Australia is the laughingstock of the entertainment industry. Or maybe that's Germany.. The people in charge need to grow up and get with the times. Share this post Link to post
Doctor Destiny 41 Posted February 5, 2010 It's a tie between either of them. It's ****ing ridiculous. Share this post Link to post
Gben 20 Posted February 11, 2010 At least he's articulate... GAMESPOT interviews an opponent to proposed gaming laws: Jim Wallace. http://au.gamespot.com/news/6249774.html?tag=nl.e544 Here's two interesting quotes... emphasis mine. GameSpot AU: Do you support the introduction of a restricted R18+ category for video games in Australia? Jim Wallace: Obviously we don’t, and the reason for it is I really can’t see how anyone would want to watch and participate in more violent, more sexually explicit, and often deviant games; but I’m particularly concerned about the more violent. I’ll just give you my own personal background to that. I commanded the SAS regiment, and in that role I had to train people for counterterrorist operations. In doing that, and in fact with any military training, you have to break a very natural reluctance--and from a Christian point of view I think it’s a good natural reluctance--by anybody to kill someone else. In order to break that reluctance the military generally--but particularly the SAS because of the time-critical nature of the actions they’re involved with--means you have to break that by two things: the first is simulation and you make that as real as possible. The second is repetition. I think you’d agree that for SAS personnel involved in counterterrorism to do that is a necessary evil so to speak. But for us to be condoning games that did that for the general person out in the community, particularly when we’re going to get some of those people who have a predisposition to violence, simply doesn’t make sense, and it’s not in the individual’s interest, and it’s not in the community’s interest. GS AU: What do you think Australia's pro and anti R18+ support results will look like once the national public consultation closes? JW: I think the entire consultation process is nonsense. It’s being pushed really by the Victorian Attorney-General who realised he was going to be defeated in the [standing Committee of Attorneys-General] meeting and what do you anticipate? The only people who are going to be into this are the games people, so I don’t think the outcome of this particular study will represent anyone’s view but the games industry. I can’t see a whole lot of other people becoming motivated on it because they won’t realise it’s on, because it’s the gamers and games industry sending in all the responses. I don’t really think it’ll serve much purpose at all. I think that as the South Australian Attorney-General has pointed out, without some sort of imagery that demonstrates what we’re actually talking about, most people won’t realise the sort of danger until it’s on top of them. Who for goodness' sake if you’re interested in gaming would be interested in themes that have the massacre of civilians, torture, extreme violence, bloodlust--gratuitous bloodlust. It’s quite ridiculous and it’s not something that’s to benefit society or in many cases will benefit the individuals playing it. So it seems, if we were to have a genuine chance to change things we need to get non-gamers involved. Share this post Link to post
Doctor Destiny 41 Posted February 11, 2010 Face it, gben. Australia sucks and no one in charge of anything there knows a ****ing thing about anything, especially not video games and their (lack of) effect on people. Modern Warfare does not make killers, nor does any violent game for that matter. I've read the studies... unless you're already a psychopath, you're not going to kill someone because you played an FPS. Share this post Link to post
Gben 20 Posted February 12, 2010 (DD stirs National Pride in gben) Wot about vegemite... the winged keel... long weekends... mad max... ac/dc... shane warne... hills hoist... australian crawl... melbourne cup... thongs... rolf harris... drop bears... neighbours... pauline hanson... beetroot in hamburgers... The list goes on... Share this post Link to post
Sonic 295 Posted February 12, 2010 gben you forgot Aussie's greatest gift all.... the "underarm incident". Share this post Link to post
Luk3us 63 Posted February 12, 2010 BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post
Doctor Destiny 41 Posted February 12, 2010 (DD stirs National Pride in gben) Wot about vegemite... the winged keel... long weekends... mad max... ac/dc... shane warne... hills hoist... australian crawl... melbourne cup... thongs... rolf harris... drop bears... neighbours... pauline hanson... beetroot in hamburgers... The list goes on... Maybe so but that all pails in comparison to your latest failboatery. Seriously. Not even Mad Max and AC/DC can overcome the fail. Share this post Link to post
Sonic 295 Posted February 12, 2010 Its not gben's fault that the leaders of his country are complete dip-****s. So you can't get R18 rated games is Aussie. Big deal.... just order them from New Zealand and problem solved. Unless the ban also prevents the importation of R18 rated games. Share this post Link to post
PurpleGaga27 39 Posted February 12, 2010 Its not gben's fault that the leaders of his country are complete dip-****s. So you can't get R18 rated games is Aussie. Big deal.... just order them from New Zealand and problem solved. Unless the ban also prevents the importation of R18 rated games. Are you saying that your country (New Zealand) is already using the R18+ rating there? Gosh, what's wrong with Aussie content lately? If all of this could be true, Australia will never have the chance for R and NC-17 rated movies in this way. That could be affected too. Share this post Link to post
Sonic 295 Posted February 12, 2010 Yeah New Zealand has had R18 for games for ages now. Share this post Link to post
Mighty BOB! 5 Posted February 12, 2010 AC/DC came from Australia? Huh, learn something new every day. (youtube) I am very confused now. Also where's the checkbox that disables bbcode in a post? hmm? Share this post Link to post
Doctor Destiny 41 Posted February 12, 2010 He's from California. They don't count. Share this post Link to post
Gben 20 Posted March 23, 2010 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/s...f-1225843362750 SA attorney to leave Mike Rann's ministry OUTSPOKEN South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson has announced he will step down from the ministry. The day after a tight state election in which the Rann Labor government seems assured of being returned with a majority of up to three seats, Mr Atkinson said it was time for renewal and change. “I believe there should be renewal,” Mr Atkinson said. “There ought to be renewal in the ministry. There are talented people on the Labor backbench who deserve a go.” He said his decision was part of a “staged” renewal. Mr Atkinson, who has served in parliament for 20 years, will go to the backbench and is unlikely to seek re-election in 2014. The controversial Mr Atkinson has attracted a string of criticism over internet censorship, a so-called “stashed cash” affair and high-profile defamation cases. He also has been criticised nationally for his refusal to allow an R18+ rating for video games. Share this post Link to post
Luk3us 63 Posted March 23, 2010 Yaa, so the old coot is out. Or so it seems... Share this post Link to post
Mighty BOB! 5 Posted March 23, 2010 Oh I'm sure he or someone similar to him will still find a way to influence media politics for the worse. Share this post Link to post
Gben 20 Posted May 7, 2010 http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/overw...0-1225863789772 'Overwhelming' response to R18+ rating for computer games' THERE has been an "overwhelming" response to the Government's move to make some computer games available to adults only by adding an R18+ rating to its classification system. Currently, the highest rating for computer games in Australia is MA15+. As a result, many games are rejected for sale in Australia because their content is deemed too violent, offensive or sexually explicit. Yet the same content would be allowed if it was in a film because of the broader rating system used there. With so many adults into videogaming, Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor late last year released a discussion paper on whether the national classification scheme should include an R18+ rating. Nearly 60,000 submissions were received by the end of February. "The report released today shows the initial outcomes of the public consultation process which received approximately 60,000 submissions - an overwhelming level of response," Mr O'Connor said in a statement. A sample of more than 20,000 submissions showed the majority came from males between the ages of 18 and 34, he said.Preliminary analysis showed that about 98 per cent of submissions supported an R rating for computer games, Mr O'Connor said. Further work was required before a decision could be made on the matter, Mr O'Connor said. "It is not just the weight of numbers that need to be considered," he said. "It is also the strength of the arguments on each side." Videogaming companies and players feel the low classification restricts the choice of games available, encourages piracy and also puts what normally would be considered adult material into the hands of teenagers. They feel an R rating would bring Australia's classification system in line with other international systems, a view endorsed by the report. The federal Attorney-General's Department will now prepare a report on the merits of an adult classification for computer games for the Standing Committee of Attorney's General. "This issue is of considerable interest to Australians so the Government is releasing a status report on the consultation to ensure the community is kept well-informed of its progress," Mr O'Connor said. "Censorship ministers have not yet made a decision on whether or not an R18+ classification for computer games should be introduced and have requested further analysis of community and expert views." Share this post Link to post
Doctor Destiny 41 Posted May 8, 2010 In line with everyone else? Are they crazy? The problem with their argument is that literally everywhere else, the rating is Mature and works like an R-rated movie (IE; you have to be 17 rather than 18). To me, 18+ is for porn and porn alone. I don't understand everyone's objection to this ****. It's just ridiculous and a sure sign that politicians are really as out of touch and inept as they seem. Share this post Link to post