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Australian R18+ Discussion Paper Released; input requested
bsjezz
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Registered User regular
The federal Attorney General's office released a long awaited discussion paper on the implementation of an R18+ category for Australian video and computer game releases today. The 16-page document, along with a submission template for feedback, details arguments for and against a restricted category and chronicles a slew of outside sources relevant to the issue.
The con and pro arguments that the paper raises:
It's a vital document for all Australians with any interest in interactive entertainment, and the opportunity to respond to it cannot be wasted. Remember, while the paper is flawed in a lot of ways, its purpose is to generate discussion and encourage critical arguments on both sides; the research has been done without bias and is fairly comprehensive, so taking a hostile attitude to it is not going to assist anyone in coming to a decision.
We need articulate, reasoned responses from concerned Australians in order to ensure that this provides final proof that there is both good reason and popular support for an R18+ rating.
My comments:
Please read over the paper and fill out the submission template if you're Australian - again, this needs a huge, unanimous response.
The con and pro arguments that the paper raises:
-
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.
*** - 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 ageinappropriate
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
It's a vital document for all Australians with any interest in interactive entertainment, and the opportunity to respond to it cannot be wasted. Remember, while the paper is flawed in a lot of ways, its purpose is to generate discussion and encourage critical arguments on both sides; the research has been done without bias and is fairly comprehensive, so taking a hostile attitude to it is not going to assist anyone in coming to a decision.
We need articulate, reasoned responses from concerned Australians in order to ensure that this provides final proof that there is both good reason and popular support for an R18+ rating.
My comments:
The notion that indigenous communities need special protection because they are somehow unable to comprehend a simple system comes off as patronizing; there may well be misunderstandings about classification in certain communities, but this should be solved by education campaigns, not resigned to as if it were an unalterable fact.
The discussion paper’s statement: “Given the very low numbers of games that are affected by the absence of the classification category, the introduction of an R 18+ category is only an argument of principle.” can do with clarification. While it’s true that in relative terms few games are refused classification in this country, many of those that are are highly regarded. Fallout 3, Grand Theft Auto IV and Left 4 Dead 2, for example, have all recently been refused classification and/or ultimately altered for Australian audiences. Each have reached an aggregate critical score of 90% or more, as compiled at www.metacritic.com. Grand Theft Auto IV is the fourth-best rated video game on the entire database, yet significant cuts were made to modify a version that was almost universally lauded by journalists as perfect, i.e, attaining the best possible score.
Finally, it must be emphasized in this debate that many highly publicized and popular games that are rated for adults in other countries are allowed to be sold without alteration to minors in this country. One prominent example is Gears of War 2, which was restricted to adults in countries like New Zealand and the United Kingdom, but can be played legally by minors in Australia due to the lack of a restricted category.
Please read over the paper and fill out the submission template if you're Australian - again, this needs a huge, unanimous response.
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Need some stuff designed or printed? I can help with that.
Oh it's such a nice day, I think I'll go out the window! Whoa!
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Would be nice for you guys if the issue got resolved before AvP was released.
I support you all down under.
All right, people. It is not a gerbil. It is not a hamster. It is not a guinea pig. It is a death rabbit. Death. Rabbit. Say it with me, now.
Damn, Australia patronizes like a motherfucker.
which is really just saying 'leave the system faulty' rather than 'educate the community so it works'. but yeah, the notion that aboriginals and ethnic groups are beyond education is pretty derogatory and i had to bite my tongue on that one
Christ. Difficult for parents? The hell?
Really, I can't take that paper seriously, with this and the "indigenous peoples" comment.
I mean, it's the easiest categorical system ever. And it's easy to add to. You could add a new rating for every year, and it still would be easy to understand.
We in NZ often have to live with decisions/policies that Australia makes over censoring as we are often in the same distribution market and/or policy/administrator types take their lead from their Australian colleagues
It's funny because our flag colours are also blue, white and red.
I will certainly give my input on this once I get home.
I don't think it's a coincidence that it got released shortly after that.
What annoys me is even after this, it still comes down to whether Michael Atkinson will listen. Even if he doesn't, and still opposes it, it's not likely he'll lose his position.
Damnit.
The Classification Code
The Classification Code sets out the principles that the Classification Board must give
effect to, as far as possible, in making classification decisions. The principles are:
a) adults should be able to read, hear and see what they want;
b) minors should be protected from material likely to harm or disturb them;
c) everyone should be protected from exposure to unsolicited material that they find
offensive;
d) the need to take account of community concerns about:
i) depictions that condone or incite violence, particularly sexual violence; and
ii) the portrayal of persons in a demeaning manner.
While I'll do my part, I have severe doubts this will do anything. Atkinson has made this his personal crusade, and until the fucker dies or retires, nothing will change.
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After the results from the electorate are in, and somewhere in the realm of 90 percent of them (probably) are for the R18 rating, I suspect that we will begin to see some pressure on Atkinson from various sectors of the government. Whether or not he caves is another matter entirely, but this paper will certainly attack one of his main arguments against the amendment, which is his opinion that people just don't care about an R18 rating. Politicians work on numbers; everyone but Atkinson won't be able to deny that this is something that people want.
Hahahaha.
He thinks he is Australias dad, and thus it's up to him to decide if we are ready for an R18+ rating on games.
Baby boomers and christian soccer mums are real fuckwits. They'll yelp about this.
Only if they realize they can go there and download it to have their say.
and don't be so negative! you guys seemed resigned that this guy has ultimate power, but he doesn't - this is a democracy and many principles of that democracy do still function. a discussion paper like this shows that we do have power to enact change - the important thing is that we engage with it like reasoned adults
I think the main problem people have is (from what I understand) the only representative that opposes this, putting him in the minority, yet his one vote governs it entirely (through what I understand is a veto of some sort?). This goes against rule of the majority, main idea behind a successful democracy.
Again, this is what my small learnings of this issue from other Australians has told me, so I may be wrong.
the fact that this paper was released is evidence that somebody wants convincing. whether that's atkinson or not i don't know, but it should be taken as a good sign
he may be rude and patronizing but he doesn't deserve death threats, and that's what's happening with current attitudes towards the situation, ie, really juvenile ones
edit: if anything, all i'm saying is that even if there's a time and place for vitriol this rare opportunity for national discussion is not it
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:^: He and Conroy are both plenty rude and condescending, but there's nothing to be gained by sinking to their level. If you're going to fill the feedback form out, be a grownup about it. And run the spellcheck.
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That thing with the non-english speakers is pretty uhhhh... wow, though. Leaving aside the foolish attempt to regulate the edge cases that are people who don't speak the local majority language, I don't even know where to start with the reference to Indigenous communities. Most of them do in fact speak English, and those that don't generally don't just lack access to a local EBGames, they lack access to things like housing, medical care, and fresh food
You know, stuff you can't do in vide... oh wait.
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http://kotaku.com/5429337/aliens-vs-predator-unbanned-in-australia
One small step for man...
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