The Australian Federal Government today released a discussion paper to investigate public opinions on whether the R18+ rating for games should be introduced in Australia. The document contains an overview about current Australian Classification Scheme and also some arguments on why the rating should or shouldn’t be introduced.
It’s about time, really. There have been many games being banned or toned down in Australia. The latest was the toned-down version of Left 4 Dead 2 (which I bought in overseas, thank you for the censorship) and the “banned “upcoming Alien vs Predator game.
Summary of key arguments on the document (which is downloadable on the Australian Government page about the R18+ issue)
The National Classification Scheme is intended to strike a balance between allowing adults to be free to read, hear and see what they want and community concerns about depictions that condone or incite violence. The NCS also clearly reflects the principle that minors should be protected from material likely to harm or disturb them.
For films, the classification principles are balanced by including an R 18+ classification level for films that are unsuitable for a minor to see. State and Territory legislation restricts the sale or exhibition of films classified R 18+ to only adults.
Since the NCS commenced in 1996, advances in technology and investment in product development mean that computer games have become more sophisticated, with filmic content and complex graphics and storylines.
However, for computer games, there is no R 18+ classification. Under State and Territory legislation, the sale or demonstration of computer games that are unsuitable for minors is prohibited, even to adults.
There is a range of arguments about why an R 18+ classification should or should not be applied to computer games. These arguments are summarised below.
Some arguments against including an R 18+ classification for computer games
- Computer games should be treated differently from films given the specific, negative effects of interactivity on players, particularly their participation in violent and aggressive content.
- It would be difficult for parents to enforce age restrictions for computer games.
- Minors would be more likely to be exposed to computer games that are unsuitable for them.
- An R 18+ for computer games would exacerbate problems associated with access to high level material in Indigenous communities and by other non-English speaking people .
- There is no demonstrated need to change existing restrictions.
Some arguments for including an R 18+ category for computer games
- The R 18+ classification category sends a clear, unambiguous message to parents that the game material is unsuitable for minors.
- Consistent classification categories for films and computer games are easier to understand.
- A new classification will supplement technological controls on minors’ access to age-inappropriate computer games.
- Adults should not be prevented from playing R 18+ level computer games simply because they are unsuitable for minors.
- Comparable international classification systems have an adult rating for computer games – international parity is desirable.
- Consumers access games which would be R 18+ illegally – it would be better if they were legally available with appropriate restrictions.
On the page, you can also find out how to submit your opinion about this matter to the Australian Government
Submissions can be sent by email in Word format without embedded images. Submissions can also be posted or faxed. You are also encouraged to keep any commentary short and succinct.
Unless you clearly request confidentiality, submissions are public documents and may be accessed by any member of the public, may be published on a website and quoted in further review papers. If you do not want your submission to be published, or you would like to request anonymity, you must clearly request this in your submission.
Submissions must be received by 28 February 2010. Submissions received after this date may not be able to be considered.
Submissions should be sent to:
Email: classificationreview@ag.gov.au
Fax: 02 6141 3488
Post: Classification Review
Attorney-General’s Department
3 -5 National Circuit, BARTON ACT 2600
I don’t normally bother with this kind of stuff, but I decided to submit my opinion. Here is what I wrote:
Q: Should the Australian National Classification Scheme include an R18+ classification category for computer games?
A: Yes. While it is understandable to restrict violence & unsuitable materials to minors, it is again, back to the parents on how to educate their kids. A minor can easily get a banned material from overseas or even illegally online anyway. If an R18+ is introduced, at least it sends a clear message that it is not suitable for the minors and parents can actually have more control over this.
Besides, I’m quite surprised that a game such as the Grand Theft Auto series could actually go pass the censorship. Although the gore wasn’t much, the game encourages you do to car-jackings, constant beating of innocents on the streets with a baseball bat, and constant violent behaviors. The current rating system already sends an unclear message to the public.
As for adults who are mature enough to play these games, at the moment they either get it illegally or buy it overseas (I got my Left 4 Dead 2 game from overseas because of this). So I don’t see a reason why we can’t play the game that we want to play.
