Most businesses enjoy exchanging goods and services for fungible assets, so it's not too shocking that Australian retailers are pulling for the nation to adopt an R18+ rating, which would cut down on the number of games the OFLC is forced to outright ban. Two retailers, GAME and Gametraders, recently spoke to GameSpot about their support of the new rating, and explained they'd be willing to adhere to surprisingly strict protocols in order to sell mature titles.
Both parties agreed to keep R18+ games in a special section of the store, which would be restricted to youngsters. Also, they stated they would package mature games in blank cases, so as not to offend the delicate sensibilities of nearby shoppers. That sounds a lot like that certain section of your local Blockbuster Video. You know, the one that only creeps go into? And occasionally, you see one of your old math teachers coming out of? And then you're forced into an awkward conversation with them while they desperately attempt to hide their naughty acquisition?
[Via GamePolitics]
Reader Comments (13)
Posted: Feb 12th 2010 1:34AM Hivetyrant said
Then come to Australia! land of the free! Home of unrestricted content!
Wait.....
So our kiddies can walk into Blockbuster and check out boobage on the back of DVD covers but they can't walk into a game store and look at a game cover which might show some blood or a screenshot of a mid-way decapitation?
Hmmm.....
Reply
Wait.....
So our kiddies can walk into Blockbuster and check out boobage on the back of DVD covers but they can't walk into a game store and look at a game cover which might show some blood or a screenshot of a mid-way decapitation?
Hmmm.....
Posted: Feb 12th 2010 2:00PM seishino said
//but they can't walk into a game store and look at a game cover which might show some blood or a screenshot of a mid-way decapitation?
Why not require R18+ games to have PG13 covers? Most ESRB M rated games have pretty normal covers. Devil May Cry, Castlevania, Zone of the Enders, XIII, Silent Hill... Most covers are pretty normal. They have to redo the case for the area anyway, so why not make it officially broadly public-safe?
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Why not require R18+ games to have PG13 covers? Most ESRB M rated games have pretty normal covers. Devil May Cry, Castlevania, Zone of the Enders, XIII, Silent Hill... Most covers are pretty normal. They have to redo the case for the area anyway, so why not make it officially broadly public-safe?
Posted: Feb 11th 2010 10:46PM Clavius said
I'm sure retailers will take this seriously for fear that the government will turn around and take away the 18+ rating. Also this may hopefully force parents to *gasp* watch what their children are either buying (allowance/chore/birthday money) or making them buy. I used to work at a toy store years ago (close to 10 years now wow I'm getting old) and I wouldnt let teens buy any M rated games, and I'd also inform any parents that the game they are buying is rated M for this that and the other thing. I hope this passes for Aussie gamers!
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Posted: Feb 11th 2010 11:03PM kojo87 said
i like the blank box idea. we should almost keep M rated games behind the counter here in the states. treat them like cigarettes. that would probably shut up the wackos who claim violent videogames are turning our youth into murdering sex crazed criminals
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Posted: Feb 11th 2010 11:30PM BPMOmega XBL PSN Steam said
I agree that M rated games shouldn't be accessible to kids. Same with R rated movies. As far as I'm concerned, both are equally unsuitable for children.
If they have to go through all sorts of crazy hoops to get R18+ for games, I say go for it. It'll be a bit of a hassle, sure, but it'll keep down the censorship in Australia.
Reply
If they have to go through all sorts of crazy hoops to get R18+ for games, I say go for it. It'll be a bit of a hassle, sure, but it'll keep down the censorship in Australia.
Posted: Feb 11th 2010 11:42PM warxroutione said
as they should! i live in usa but im a 29 year old man if i wanna blast zombies with plasma rifles and splice 7 ft tall locust soldiers in slow motion with akimbo saws i should make that call not government.
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