Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study Will Go Forward

November 7, 2008

While Australia's grownup gamer population has been clamoring for an R18+ rating that would avert the video game censorship which has plagued the country in recent years, South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson (left) has been blocking consideration of such a change.

Something, apparently, has changed Atkinson's mind.

GameSpot Australia reports that a discussion paper as well as public commentary on the R18+ are back on the table. According to Atkinson, a compromise was reached on the content of the discussion paper:

I believe the draft discussion paper did not adequately represent both sides of the argument. I voiced my concerns to other Attorneys-General and we reached agreement that some minor changes will be made to the discussion paper.

I am not opposed to a public debate on the merits of introducing a R18+ classification for electronic games--in fact, I welcome it. But it’s unhelpful to commence that debate with what I believe is a biased discussion paper. There is little point in seeking public comment on an unfirm footing that neglects one side of the argument. I look forward to contributing to the development of a fairer discussion paper.

The Age has more.

Thanks to: GP reader Cheater87 for the link!

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Comments

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by DexX on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 20:00.

Biased = doesn't include my propaganda talking points. No doubt he's annoyed because they left out the "facts" about video games making five year olds kill protitutes and cannibalise their corpses.

He's a typical anti-democratic hypocrite - only wants one side of the argument represented. Anything that makes the opposition look worthy is just "bias".

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http://blogs.theage.com.au/screenplay/

-- http://blogs.theage.com.au/screenplay/

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by lumi on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 17:09.

Good news, for sure. Best of luck with the debate, Aussies!

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by TBoneTony on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 20:15.

Win or lose, to finally have a real serious debate with both sides of the bedate hopefully on national TV will raise the eyebrows of the average Australian to think twice about how Free Australia really is compared to the rest of the Democracy world.

It is all fine to go down the street and do what you want without hurting anyone, but when it comes to Videogames we gamers are still seen as children because that is what some of the politicians think of us,

Hope this is a start of things changing in Australia

TBoneTony

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by ZippyDSMlee on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 10:56.

Wow someone is learning a dictatorship dose not work well in a democracy, unless you are the "leaders" of said democracy ....

I is fuzzy brained mew =^^=
http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/
(in need of a bad overhaul)

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http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by ConnorM5 on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:53.

I think this could possibly be the only time special interest lobbyists have done anything that wasnt fail.

******************** "Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Breeds that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and freedom

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by SimonBob on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:44.

Heh, I wonder which side of the argument he thought was neglected? Not that I blame him for it -- if they put up a discussion sheet which essentially said "games are bad" then we'd all be hollering about it for the rest of the day. Gotta extend that consideration to both sides of the table.

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The Mammon Industry

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Fangamer

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by Cheater87 on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:30.

I hope they allow it. But on the other hand what if its treated the same as the AO rating in America??? 0_0 What a twist!!!!

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by magic_taco on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:38.

I dont think humor and goveronment come with an age restriction.

____________________________________________

Hero,Ladiesman,Ninja

Magic Taco

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by HarmlessBunny on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:28.

The attorney general is now realizing all the backlash he would be getting, and is bending to the people

"People should not fear their governments. Rather governments should fear their people."

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James Fletcher, member of ECA Canada

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by DeepThorn on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:06.

All the government lackeys always have bias papers, why not them?

All in all, win.

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Shout box

DorthLous: I love how she plays the "I'm a parent, you're a gamer, you couldn't understand" card... I'm a parent and I find her position despicable...05/23/2013 - 4:16pm

E. Zachary Knight: She didn't address your questions because she doesn't have any answers.05/23/2013 - 3:38pm

Andrew Eisen: I replied to her comment. Maybe in a few weeks I'll get a reply.05/23/2013 - 3:24pm

Thomas Riordan: @Andrew Eisen To what bowling alley does she go that puts sexual images in the faces of 6 year olds?05/23/2013 - 3:17pm

Andrew Eisen: Well, it took a month but Linda Stender finally replied to me... and didn't address a single one of my questions. http://aswlindastender.com/2013/04/23/follow-up-video-games-and-their-effect-on-children/05/23/2013 - 3:13pm

Imautobot: Also, from a tech perspective the PS4 is apparently already winning. http://bgr.com/2013/05/22/xbox-one-vs-playstation-4-specs/05/23/2013 - 3:12pm

Imautobot: Sony's PS4 motto should be "We play games." Microsoft's should be "We play games, when we're not rewinding your tapes."05/23/2013 - 3:11pm

Andrew Eisen: Oh look, Dying Light was just announced For Everything But Wii U. That's 73.05/23/2013 - 2:06pm

james_fudge: Zippy: they said the same thing about Cell. How did that turn out.05/23/2013 - 1:28pm

Andrew Eisen: Need for Speed Rivals is coming out For Everything But Wii U - PS3, 360, PC, PS4 and Xbox One. That brings the grand total up to 72.05/23/2013 - 12:55pm

PHX Corp: http://wiiudaily.com/2013/05/microsoft-is-selling-the-wii-u-better-than-nintendo/ Wii U daily Opinion: Microsoft is selling the Wii U better than Nintendo05/23/2013 - 12:23pm

E. Zachary Knight: Zippy, they very well may be. But that will only last until they are released. At that time, they will be two generations behind.05/23/2013 - 11:14am

ZippyDSMlee: for a good luagh, http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/124288-EA-Exec-Xbox-One-and-PS4-Are-A-Generation-Ahead-Of-PC05/23/2013 - 10:55am

james_fudge: It's about time! I need W805/23/2013 - 10:49am

MaskedPixelante: Looks like Gamepot is more willing to play ball than Square Enix. Wizardry 6+7 and 8 are available on GOG.05/23/2013 - 10:36am

DorthLous: Anybody tried Hiversaire? Thoughts?05/22/2013 - 5:48pm

E. Zachary Knight: New Humble Bundle Weekly Sale. Alan Wake: https://www.humblebundle.com/weekly No Linux or Mac support. :(05/22/2013 - 1:46pm

E. Zachary Knight: Microsoft talks about the lack of backward compatability. You're backwards. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/192801/If_youre_backwards_compatible_youre_really_backwards.php05/22/2013 - 1:39pm

E. Zachary Knight: That is absolutely nuts there. As bad an experience XBox Indie Games was, the problems weren't with the self published side of things. Forcing a publisher onto independent studios is not going to help.05/22/2013 - 10:43am

MaskedPixelante: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-05-22-microsoft-wont-let-indies-self-publish-on-xbox-one And the hits just keep on coming.05/22/2013 - 9:20am

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