March 28, 2008
Christian groups and pornographers don't, as a rule, agree on many things.In Australia, however, the seemingly disparate groups have found some common ground: violent video games are bad.
As reported by news.com.au, it was the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) and porn lobby group the Eros Foundation which, well, found themselves in bed together on the video game issue.
The noteworthy hook-up came in the wake of a decision by Australia's attorneys general to seek public comment as to whether an R18+ rating should be added for video games. Under present law, any game which exceeds MA15+ is effectively banned. Titles which have been blocked under the current system include Grand Theft Auto III, Blitz: The League and Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude.
Both the ACL and the Eros Foundation criticized the decision allowing Australian citizens to weigh in (GP: those oh-so-annoying democratic processes...). Said ACL managing director Jim Wallace (left):
Given what happens with R-rated films, we could have no confidence that the classification guidelines would be properly applied. For example, due to loopholes in the guidelines, real sex is sometimes being shown in R-rated films. What will happen if we have R18+ games, which have even greater impact because of their interactive nature?
An Eros Foundation spokesman (unnamed, but possibly wearing black socks and a black mask) agreed:
We support the Australian Christian Lobby's point of view. Because we believe that there's too much violence out there and there are more pressing issues for the attorneys to consider such as the regulation of the X-rated film industry.
news.com.au also reports that Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus said the public input would serve as a recommendation only:
This is not a consultation on a proposal to introduce an R18+ level for games. It is a public consultation process seeking community views to inform our position. Consultation will allow us to form a view based on evidence about community views on the issue.
Rob Hulls, attorney general of Victoria, added:
It seems inconsistent that in Australia adults are allowed to view adults-only films which have been classified R18+ by the classification board but not computer games with an equivalent high level content.
Comments
Two words for you:
Pot, & Kettle
----
Papa Midnight
Was it just me, or did the Eros group merely side with the Christian group because the porn guys want *their* ratings taken care of first?
"there are more pressing issues for the attorneys to consider such as the regulation of the X-rated film industry"
"For example, due to loopholes in the guidelines, real sex is sometimes being shown in R-rated films. What will happen if we have R18+ games, which have even greater impact because of their interactive nature?"
Sounds to me like there's less of a problem with mature game ratings, and more of a problem with the movie raters. Maybe you should focus on that...
Real sex in R-rated films? Really? Or is he talking about "real" simulated sex, such as in many US R-rated films? Are there actual full-on penetration scenes in R rated movies in AU?
Is this guy pulling an FCC, and "imagining" more than is really going on?
I'd also imagine the video game industry is significantly larger...
Does anybody else get the feeling the porn lobbyists are just jumping on to try and keep a slice of the 18-35 male demographic? Less guys playing videogames means more guys renting Hot Outback Nights. I guess they're not interested in the potentially lucrative field of interactive porn...
Fangamer
.. *looks at the copy of GTA3 he bought in a K-Mart in Western Australia not even a year ago*
Wait, what?
PORNO GROUPS:
"Oh, the games industry promotes violence against prostitutes, which is bad cause us porno stars are good homies with the Prostitution Coalition.
CHRISTIAN GROUPS:
"The games industry makes fun of our porn stars, we dont take to kindly to folk criticizing our porn stars because..uh...if we are nice to them we get discounts okay?? "
VIDEO GAMERS:
"You are both either crazy...or really really really retarded"
I FEEL SO CONFLICTED.
XD
or just plain WTF???
It is now considered to be the vagina of the world.
That is so true!
The Porn industry has been under attack by Christian organizations for a long time. Now the Porn industry is jumping on the band wagon and saying:
"Lay off me (bad pun), look at how bad violent video games are. Let's get 'em fellas"
If the world went crazy(-ier), and all violent video games were banned world wide, provincial groups and ignorant leaders will find the next thing to attack and ban...the Porn industry is just buying time, but shooting themselves in the foot for the long run.
It's like, well...It's like pairing Blank Rome with Jack Thompson against some hypothetical problem (yes, that example could be considered a little extreme...maybe...but you get the idea).
And that's where the confusion comes in. At least for me.
It’s like, well…It’s like pairing Blank Rome with Jack Thompson against some hypothetical problem (yes, that example could be considered a little extreme…maybe…but you get the idea).
And that’s where the confusion comes in. At least for me."
Nah. On an issue by issue basis most christians would hold hold hands with the devil if they agreed with him on one point and that one point was the only thing being discussed.
"For example, due to loopholes in the guidelines, real sex is sometimes being shown in R-rated films."
Also could somebody change it from being called R18 or R-rated? I know the law is only for you Australians but here in the UK R18 means something else entirely. If there was an R18 film here *without* real sex the customer would have the right to his money back under the trade descriptions act.
..Aside from that, the "Public consulting" comment made me want to smack someone. Fuck that. I would want a vote if I lived in Australia
The christian group being in the same side is a pretty hefty surprise but if they are indeed actively working with their former mortal enemy, it just proves the basic lack of ethics which seem to be at the heart of any organisation that combines political lobbying and religion (I think that all the different voices allow jack thompson to qualify as his own organisation of that type).
Normally I'd hypothesise about some inter-organisational palm greasing going on but that expression takes on an entirely different meaning when porn is involved...
@Finback
I think that GTA3 was banned in Australia initially but then there was a reversal, I seem to recall fairly lengthy delays in getting it which ironically made me want to drive recklessly and shoot stuff...
Well, I wouldn't say most...but definitely the more "religious" ones. Thankfully, all my friends who are Christian aren't like that at all.
Hey idiot! Do you realise how much you are working against your industry!?
Adult films are NEVER going to have the X18+ rating approved in Australian States before Video Games get an R18+ rating. Just not going to happen.
Also as previously mentioned, there are opportunities for INTERACTIVE PORN.
Not that the porn industry's opinion matters, but they should reconsider their position for their own sake.
(In Australia, the X18+ rating for films is for ACTUAL sex acts and is only legal in NT/ACT, but not NSW/VIC/QLD/SA/WA/TAS, whereas R18+ rating for files is for IMPLICIT, OBSCURE or SIMULATED sex acts and is legal everywhere)
But then again, everyone is getting on the "Games are Evilz!" bandwagon these days.
But the actual Porn industry association of Australia, now that's a bit farfetched. Most of the others on the wagon would normally want to throw them off and run them over a couple of times for good measure.
On a different note, a few games that get a PEGI 18+ or ESRB M rating elsewhere get the MA15+ in Australia, just with a lot of clarifying text. (the upcoming Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures is a good example)
Also, GTA III was banned in Australia, but R* edited out some content, resubmitted it to the OFLC and got an MA rating. The issue was the prostitutes. Vice city was also edited by R* to conform to MA. May I direct anyone interested to the best and most comprehensive australian censorship database: http://www.refused-classification.com
Gift.
It seems inconsistent that in Australia adults are allowed to view adults-only films which have been classified R18+ by the classification board but not computer games with an equivalent high level content."
Maybe Australia is not a lost cause yet...
www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation
Also, he's dead funny in his game reviews.
If that passed then they could makre prono video games. True they may not know how to make games or they may not want to but even if, it gives them the option to make those games which is good.
Oh and the porno industry need not worry about competition from american porn game makers. Our Ao rating here effectively bans porn games (unless it's for the PC).
Droug dealers?
Rapist?
Maybe?
But yeah, what's wrong with public consultation?
So how can there be a loophole for real sex in games if a game is completely simulated? I just don't see motion capture porn as possible...