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Australian gov releases R18+ guideline proposal

by Alexander Sliwinski on May 25th 2011 6:00PM

Australia's federal government has released a proposed draft of new guidelines to reform its video game classification system and introduce an R18+ rating. Meaning, the country's uncomfortably long struggle to introduce an adult-friendly classification for games may finally reach a conclusion.

The R18+ rating would allow "virtually no restrictions on the treatment of themes," allow violence to a more liberal degree than the current MA 15+ cap and give the option for sexual activity to be "realistically simulated," according to the draft.

Australia's Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor says the new rules would "bring Australia into line with comparable nations." The federal government and the attorneys-general (including those opposed to the new rating and the ones who feel the government isn't going far enough) will meet in July, when they are expected to reach a consensus to introduce the R18+ classification.

Via: Gamasutra
Source: Australian Classification [PDF]

Tags: australia, classification, microsoft, nintendo, oflc, pc, playstation, ps3, r18, ratings, wii, xbox

Reader Comments (26)

This is great news, even though I ain't an Aussie.

Though not out of the woods yet, it's about time they did away with that outdated ratings system.

Yahtzee will like this, now he can review Mortal Kombat without fearing federal prison!

I'm still waiting for AO titles in the U.S..

@SonicGA

Keep dreaming on that one.

@SonicGA
That's different. Sony, Nintendo, and MS in the US wont allow AO games to be sold. We have the AO rating, which is why Manhunt PC is sold with AO rating, but the console companies wont allow for AO ratings in America.

@The Aquacharger But WHY are 18+ games OK in other countries but NOT allowed in teh US?

@Dan50
Because in other countries it's govt dictated. The ESRB is it's own private buisness. So consoles can ignore the ESRB. Hell, the ESRB could give a game an "E" rating but consoles can deny selling it for whatever reason they wish.
The plus side to this is no government mandated regulations (which can be a bit crazy). The negative to this is that no one really has to abide by the ESRB. Hell, you can sell a game without being rated on the ESRB, but consoles companies don't allow for it.

@The Aquacharger There was also The Indigo Prophecy. They made a Director's Cut (AO) for PC and an M-rated version for consoles. You also have PC games not rated by the ESRB.

@Funkmaster General Well, DNF is coming out so that's one dream come true.

@SonicGA
Yeah, which proves the flaws of the ESRB. It's only manditory if a service requires it, which all consoles do. That's why there's such a big stink about adding a government raiting system. Because then if a game is deemed sellable by the government everyone has to sell it. None of this "Oh we don't sell AO games" crap. However, it would then make buying M/AO games for Teens illegal, and buying a T rated game for a child under 13 illegal aswell.
It's a very weird area. For gamers we get the best option of the govt. being out. However we will never have AO games on our consoles untill one companies grows a pair and does it.

@SonicGA

If you want porn, that's what the internet is for. I've never seen or played an AO rated game that's been worth a damn. The most famous one would probably be Postal and that game was absolute garbage. I could honestly care less if AO games get sold on consoles, M rated and T rated games are just fine. Basically what I'm saying is that the quality of a game has nothing to do with the rating it gets from the ESRB. The only reason someone would pine for AO games on a console is because they don't have an internet connection.

@SonicGA
Oh yes, the AO version.. I didn't even know I was playing it until everything got a bit unexpectedly risque.

@Vladeon
Actually Postal is rated M. It's banned from sales because they were sued by the US postal service for using the name "Postal".

Hopefully it goes through

Wow, it sounds like they're getting a even better deal than we currently have with the ESRB! Grats, fellas.

@Once known as Shadsy At least the ESRB doesn't outright ban a game and its not controlled by the government.

@Once known as Shadsy
Considering that ESRB is not government related, we by far have the better deal. Even if retailers are backwards on not selling "Adult" games.

Australia is proof why you don't want governmental oversight in media. It simply doesn't belong there for 95% of what is created. (That other 5%? child porn, snuff, etc. You know, what obviously doesn't belong anywhere on this planet)

"realistically simulated"

FIXED
"realistically sTimulated"

so they mean soft porn then

Crikey!

About time!!! With the strong Aussie dollar, lots of us have been importing games from overseas. The R18+ issue has had huge implications on sales shifted for Australian retailers.

@looksideways

I was about to say that this seems like it'll boost revenue from taxes for the Australian government considerably. It's a wonder they havent done this earlier.

@looksideways

No the fact that games cost twice as much here has a huge implication on games sales.

Can someone please tell the makers of Dead Island about this so we don't end up with a watered down version. I dont care if we have to wait longer....I want the real game.

I'm a New yorker but i bet Aussie gamers are Ecstatic right about now!! shiiit i would be looking . Australia has said no to a lot of good Mature rated games

Breaking News

Australian gov releases R18+ guideline proposal

Reader Comments (26)

Posted: May 25th 2011 6:03PM The Cole Train said

Posted: May 25th 2011 6:05PM ColorblindMonk said

Posted: May 25th 2011 6:11PM FreakSheet said

Posted: May 25th 2011 6:16PM SonicGA said

Posted: May 25th 2011 6:31PM Funkmaster General said

Posted: May 25th 2011 6:36PM The Aquacharger said

Posted: May 25th 2011 6:42PM Dan50 said

Posted: May 25th 2011 7:09PM The Aquacharger said

Posted: May 25th 2011 8:05PM SonicGA said

Posted: May 25th 2011 8:07PM SonicGA said

Posted: May 25th 2011 8:13PM The Aquacharger said

Posted: May 25th 2011 9:54PM Vladeon said

Posted: May 25th 2011 10:57PM Haggard said

Posted: May 26th 2011 4:04AM The Aquacharger said

Posted: May 25th 2011 6:19PM Jawmuncher said

Posted: May 25th 2011 6:30PM Once known as Shadsy said

Posted: May 25th 2011 6:49PM Dan50 said

Posted: May 25th 2011 6:53PM Mmmmz said

Posted: May 25th 2011 7:24PM Marco le Polo said

Posted: May 25th 2011 8:15PM Platinum Playstation said

Posted: May 25th 2011 8:29PM DeadInside said

Posted: May 25th 2011 8:49PM looksideways said

Posted: May 25th 2011 9:57PM Vladeon said

Posted: May 25th 2011 10:27PM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: May 25th 2011 9:49PM somethingforcale said

Posted: May 26th 2011 12:23PM jondastunna84 said

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