Australian 18+ Rating

[Momoniu]

so a little background info, in Australia we don't have a R18+ raiting for video games, so when games like gran theft auto, left 4 dead 2 and the new aliens vs predator games come out they are heavily modified to fit into a 15+ category and in the case of left 4 dead 2, almost destroyed the games playability.

well, just reading the new atomic mag, it seams than in government it finally up for discussion.

they want the australian public to voice their opinion,
"I urge everyone with an interest in this issue to contribute to the discussion so the government can ensure all community views are considered" quote from Minister for home affairs, Brendan O' Connor.

so we can show the government, that we as gamers are not all 15 year old kids that think playing violent video games is like real life.

the paper can be found at http://www.ag.gov.au/gamesclassification

 

[mafia_boy]

The problem with this is that all the state and federal attorney-generals have to agree to this and not all of them do. The South Australian attorney-general, Michael Atkinson doesn't want to agree and refuses to, even after several attempts! From wikipedia aswell:

Atkinson has blocked attempts to introduce a R18+ for video games in Australia. He has withdrawn his support for a discussion paper and public consultation on the subject of an "R18+" rating, but this paper has been released to the public. Unanimity from Atkinson and his fellow state and federal Attorneys-General is required for the introduction of the rating (or a change to that requirement). Australia's current rating system lacks a classification for games above MA15+. It therefore lacks not only an equivalent rating to the ESRB's "AO" (Adults Only) but also an equivalent to the ESRB's "Mature" (17+) rating.

So the problem lies with changing this guys mind.

 

[Momoniu]

true, but as that will never happen, this is the next best thing.

 

[Legendary]

I honestly dont want that for personal reasons. I turn 15 (FINALLY) mid year and if all of a sudden they raise it and I STILL cant buy my own games I wont be too happy. I can see how this will be beneficial but it will still be a kick in the arse for me. Same goes for if they make driving, say, 18, I wont be happy at all as I have waited my whole life to do that.

 

[Picc84]

I honestly dont want that for personal reasons. I turn 15 (FINALLY) mid year and if all of a sudden they raise it and I STILL cant buy my own games I wont be too happy. I can see how this will be beneficial but it will still be a kick in the arse for me. Same goes for if they make driving, say, 18, I wont be happy at all as I have waited my whole life to do that.

Well the thing thats different with this and driving, Is they would make it so it only applies to people born after a certain date for driving. Rather the games it would be immidiate. I agree with them changing it and I hope they do, not even being from Australia, I think games ripped apart just kill the enjoyment.

 

[Boffin]

Has anyone from Australia bought an R18+ game off ebay and had it been tampered/refused into the country?

I bought GTA4 from Hong Kong. The price of it, including shipping, is still less than what EB and DSE stock it for (although I saw it at JB for 50) - almost 2 years after I bought it. The fact that it is the uncensored version wasn't the main reason why I bought it (although its nice...I guess), but the price was unbeatble.
So. A week later I ended up with a shiny copy of R18+ GTA4.

I understand why there is a kerfuffle, but I just don't see why it is so big. What's the point of complaining so much about it (other than country pride, and not having others laughing at us) when you can buy a legal, non tampered, international, uncensored copy off the internet for $60AU and not have it stopped by customs officers at the airport? Or are they now stopping these games coming through?

If not, I almost couldn't care less about the R18+ restrictions. Because the price for games online is 60% less, for a genuine, English, new in a box copy - the fact that they are uncensore is an added bonus. The only problem is that they take 4 days - a week to get here, but that doen't bother me. Unless its GT5 - which I have on order at EB - and I shall be expecting to pay twice of what I can get it off ebay.