Australia releases R18+ discussion paper, requests public feedback

by Alexander Sliwinski on Dec 14th 2009 11:00AM

The Australian government has finally released the R18+ discussion paper and is requesting comment on whether the adult classification should be made available for video games. For those just joining us, Aussie video game classification caps at MA15+, meaning any game unsuitable for a 15-year-old can't be sold in the region.

Submissions stating why the government should allow an R18+ rating for games is due by February 28, 2010. The government spells out quite plainly that any change in the classification policy "must be unanimously agreed [upon] by Commonwealth, State and Territory Censorship Ministers."

[Thanks Simon and everyone else who sent this in]

Source

Tags: australia, censorship, michael-atkinson, oflc, r18

Reader Comments (41)

Everytime Joystiq post a story about Australia and the R18+ rating system, God kills a kitten.

Why would God kill kittens? God is a just and loving Holy Spirit. Very merciful and forgiving.

How else is He suppose to get in his target practice?

Oh, brother.

Why does God kill kittens? The same reason why he eats baby seal heads and puppy paws.

Not another religion debate please x)

@ Dance, would it help you to believe they were zombie kittens?

@ Captain Planet; please I can has new power noaw?

Maybe if we ignore it, it will go away?

Dear Spartan,

We have received your request to change your Planeteer Power. While we acknowledge that your current Power of Sunshine and Lollipops has helped the Planeteer Foundation in its fight against Earth's pollutants, we understand that this Power has served its purpose.

As you know my fellow Planeteer, timing is everything. Each Power granted upon my Planeteers is created through my wit and hilariousness. And because certain members here think God should not be killing kittens, he is relieving himself of the duty to kill said kittens. Now I don't think the duty should go unfulfilled so I am very pleased to offer you this Power...

I hereby grant you the Power of....

Spartan [Planteer | Power of The Arduous Task of Smiting Kittens]

Corny.

"God kills a kitten"

Don't you mean "Rupert Murdoch kills a kitten"? I suppose it IS the same thing in Australia. On second thought, Murdoch doesn't need a reason to kill a kitten.

Well, I hope the R18+ pass and is acceptable. I'm sure a lot of Aussies are tired of importing adult rated games.

ABout time, but they still need a unanimous decision. Unless Atkinson is gone by Feburary 28th, nothing will change.

I really didn't expect to see this post. Hopefully they can come to an agreement that it isn't their fucking right to choose what people can and cannot see. Kind of like what they are doing now.

About fucking time.

Aussies hate cats, so its no wonder why this story continues.

-The Glavin

It's a step in the right direction. Now we see just how minor this vocal minority really is.

Dingos, Kangaroos, Wallabies, UNITE!

fuck dingoes and skippys! wallabies on the other hand...well they're just too adorable to hate.

I like how they make it specificly clear it's for 18+'s

That's the point.

Can I submit one if I'm not from Australia? I'm an American so of course I like to get into other peoples' business.

I'm in the UK, and I would sign his if it were a petition just out of principle.

I feel sorry for Australian gamers... Even compared to the our ridiculous UK prices.

@ Alex

I agree, with the money thing that is xD

double post since I'm a noob

Sweet Jesus I was curious and looked up MW2 on Amazon UK. 55 pounds is about a million dollars. Is there something I can fill out for that too?

At least UK and Australia have Top Gear though. On BBC America they strip 20 minutes out of it and show it 6 months after it is new.

If this thing passes what games will actually be left for them lol most of the best games are 18+.... I mean seriously......

What's the fucking point of releasing this paper asking for feedback when there isn't a majority votes rule!?

Michael Atkinson can still just say "No" at the end regardless of how sensible the article is.

Makes me glad I left that country.

I hope that it passes so that more people can enjoy the games we in usa play intact and not be censored. If an adult buys a game, it should be up to his/her discretion as to what is questionable and not the government in the case of video games. Sadly, it is probably easier to obtain large cache of weapons and to go on a real shooting spree in down there then it is to just play a game that has those same weapons.

Good luck to those down under. I hope it passes.

They should just pass this already.

*Spartan [Planeteer | Power of The Arduous Task of Smiting Kittens]

Remember, the Power is YOURS!

I apparently have the Power of Reply Fail today.

The power is yours, unfortunately.

Sweet Jesus I was curious and looked up MW2 on Amazon UK. 55 pounds is about a million dollars. Is there something I can fill out for that too?

At least UK and Australia have Top Gear though. On BBC America they strip 20 minutes out of it and show it 6 months after it is new.

Wow, it's harder to add a rating for an entertainment product in Australia than to amend the United States constitution. American's always joke about the ineptitude of our own government, but is it actually possible to accomplish anything in Australia?

nothing can be accomplished because the country is a fake democracy, I know because I live there. The soldiers fought for this country, so that their families could live in a true democracy, but alas the politicians and other bureaucrats have taken that away from us.

I find it kind of sad that Rebellion, a company who's never really worked on anything but ports, side projects, and small scale releases, just had a greater influence to Australian gaming then Valve, one of the most critically acclaimed development studios of the last ten years.

If you're missing the reference, it's because Rebellion, who is working on AVP, had the title denied classification in Australia, and refused to release a clean version, standing by the idea that it's a mature title. Valve on the other hand folded and released a ridiculous, cut down version of Left 4 Dead 2 when they didn't make classification.

The situation with AVP could very well be seen as the last straw on the camels back that got the ball rolling in the public sector and within their government. Props to Rebellion for having some balls, even if they didn't have anything to do with this. For the sake of all mature Australian gamers out there, I do hope this gets passed.

And Valve? Grow a pair.

Good for them, that whole system was retarded. (Well, it's not official, I suppose, but still.) Like Australia was taking cues from Fox and Friends, or something.

Although I'm pretty sure you're right, that sentence can be interpreted either way.

I will laugh if they somehow mess this up this chance and it gets "DENIED!"

don't worry it will get denied

why are you saying that..??
========================================
albert pinto
Brisbane real estate

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Australia releases R18+ discussion paper, requests public feedback

Reader Comments (41)

Posted: Dec 14th 2009 11:03AM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said

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