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New Australian AG backpedals on R+18 rating
Remember those fuzzy, triumphant feelings we felt when new South Australian Attorney General John Rau supposedly voiced his unswerving support for adopting an R18+ rating for violent video games in the region? Yeah, those feelings have officially been depleted -- in a recent interview with GameSpot, Rau stated that he "can neither support nor wisely argue against a position if I am not aware of the relevant factors." No, it's not like Rau's adopted the staunch anti-violent game stance of his predecessor, controversial AG Michael Atkinson. However, considering Gamers4Croydon president Chris Prior said Rau's stance on the issue was that it would be "just common sense to introduce" the mature rating to the territory, his actual, noncommittal stance is a little disappointing. We're not sure our delicate emotions can take much more of this back-and-forth. [Via GamePolitics]
Australian mature game detractor Michael Atkinson stepping down
South Austrailian Attorney General Michael Atkinson, the gentleman almost single-handedly responsible for preventing the nation from adopting an R18+ rating for games, is stepping down from the front bench. The controversial figure will remain on the Australian parliament until the 2014 elections, but is stepping down from his position to bring in some fresh blood from the Labor party. "I think there are talented people on the Labor backbench who deserve a go," Atkinson explained. There's no telling whether the new A.G. will share Atkinson's position on the outright banning of mature games, but judging by the cornucopia of tips we received from overjoyed Aussies last night, there's plenty of room for hope.
Aussie ratings board to discuss an R 18+ rating at April meeting
A meeting in April might bring an end to the Australian video game bans that many gamers there believe to be overly repressive. Local Aussie website Adelaide Now says that the Australian National Classification Scheme could finally take a look at the ratings issue when it meets in April of this year. One widely-supported solution would be to establish an R 18+ classification for games over there -- currently, any games that don't match up to the MA 15+ rating are automatically banned, which leads to story after story of games that are rated for 18+ instead smashed with the banhammer down under. The one spoiler is South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson, who not only opposes the R 18+ rating, but hasn't gotten a very good impression of angry Australian gamers. He'll be at the meeting in April and will have veto power on any measures proposed, so unless he has a change of mind (or gamers who are organizing politically against Atkinson can oust him in an upcoming March election), the meeting in April could end in the same old disappointments for Australian gamers. [Via GamePolitics]
Australia's Atkinson thinks gamers are scarier than biker gangs
Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson, also known as "that one guy responsible for preventing an R18+ rating from being adopted in the country," recently had some (unsurprisingly) inflammatory things to say about gaming enthusiasts during an interview with Good Game. "About two o' clock in the morning I got a threatening note from a gamer shoved under my door," Atkinson claimed. "I feel that my family and I are more at risk from gamers than we are from the outlaw motorcycle gangs who also hate me ... the outlaw motorcycle gangs haven't been hanging around my doorstep at 2 a.m.. A gamer has." Well, yeah. We wish we could argue with that logic, but we just can't. It's rock solid. Except -- wait. Maybe the outlaw motorcycle gangs don't have the time to wait by your door at 2 a.m. because they're too busy perpetrating violent crimes and distributing meth? No, no -- that's just crazy talk. [Via GoNintendo]
Australia releases R18+ discussion paper, requests public feedback
The Australian government has finally released the R18+ discussion paper and is requesting comment on whether the adult classification should be made available for video games. For those just joining us, Aussie video game classification caps at MA15+, meaning any game unsuitable for a 15-year-old can't be sold in the region. Submissions stating why the government should allow an R18+ rating for games is due by February 28, 2010. The government spells out quite plainly that any change in the classification policy "must be unanimously agreed [upon] by Commonwealth, State and Territory Censorship Ministers." [Thanks Simon and everyone else who sent this in]
Australian Attorney General offers insight into Aliens vs. Predator classification refusal
We've heard from Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson in the past on why he thinks certain games shouldn't be available to Australian consumers. And when he was asked recently by ABC why the upcoming Aliens vs. Predator was refused classification in his country (read: banned), he echoed previous sentiments on the interactivity of games having a stronger affect on people than other mediums. "I accept that 98 percent, 99 percent of gamers will tell the difference between fantasy and reality, but the 1 to 2 percent could go on to be motivated by these games to commit horrible acts of violence," Atkinson said. When the subject of AvP comes up, though, Atkinson put on his game reviewer cap and offered, "You don't need to be playing a game in which you impale, decapitate and dismember people." So, what're you thinking, Mr. Atkinson -- 5.0/10 maybe? 4.7/10? We're all ears. [Via GamesIndustry.biz]
Aussies gather in Brisbane to promote R18+ rating
A "rally" in Brisbane, Australia in support of an R18+ rating for video games attracted approximately 50 people -- so maybe more along the lines of a "gathering," then. But let's not dwell on the meager turnout, let's focus on the intent and message, which GamePolitics reports was uploaded to YouTube (1, 2, 3, 4). Speaking at the event were Nicolas Suzor of Electronic Frontiers Australia and Ethan Watson of Treat Us Like Adults. Thankfully, it appears nobody was doing cosplay, a tactic that a previous rally considered implementing. The first priority of the groups is to have Commonwealth Minister of Home Affairs, Brendan O'Connor, release the R18+ discussion paper that the "censorship ministers" have been slow to make public. Yes, a report on censorship is being censored. South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson had previously tried a political maneuver to bury the report and put the debate on an R18+ rating on indefinite hold. [Via GamePolitics] [Image: Andrew Wade]
Australian Attorney General Atkinson plans appeal of Modern Warfare 2 rating
In a statement to AU GameSpot, South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson said he plans to appeal Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's MA15+ rating in the region. If successful, the game will be banned in Australia and this would be Atkinson's first time intervening on a rating by the Classification Board. Atkinson explains, "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians." Those points for killing civilians aren't the only ones Atkinson is missing. The anti-game antics of Atkinson are coming dangerously close to reminding us of the United States' disgraced, former attorney Jack Thompson. The Age reports Atkinson was recently on Aussie national radio and expressed that the Classification Board in Australia "does everything" to "get games in under the radar, and film, generally." Later, he stated that he has "no trust" in the board to apply guidelines, thus drawing up guidelines for games to have an R18+ classification "would be to draw them up in sure and certain knowledge that they would be stretched and then broken." So, games aren't being rated properly, but he won't support an R18+ rating. Feel free to drop your "facepalm" reactions below in the comments. Source -- Atkinson confirms MW2 appeal [AU GameSpot] Source -- No confidence [The Age]
Australian attorney general refuses to support 18+ game rating
Australia has a long, sordid history when it comes to banning the sale of mature games. Titles which exceed the limits of the Office of Film and Literature Classification's MA15+ rating are refused classification, preventing them from being sold in the Land Down Under. Following such a ban on Valve's Left 4 Dead 2, the introduction of an R18+ rating has been feverishly debated by the nation's officials -- however, a South Australian attorney general named Michael Atkinson is holding up the proceedings by vehemently opposing the adoption of the mature rating. Atkinson told Australian news outlet News.com.au that he's uncomfortable with the interactive nature of the medium. "People are participating and 'acting-out' violence and criminal behaviour when they are playing a video game," he explained, later adding, "it certainly does restrict choice to a small degree, but that is the price of keeping this material from children and vulnerable adults. In my view, the small sacrifice is worth it." Rarely can governmental actions be attributed to just one person, but the OFLC's refusal to rate mature titles is a direct result of Atkinson's opposition. Remember, this is the same guy who tried to censor a public document which canvassed Australians on the issue in an attempt to better advise the nation's ratings officials. He censored the study on censorship. Consider our mind truly boggled. [Via GamesIndustry]
Cosplay protest seeks to push R18+ rating in Australia, raises concerns
Gametraders is organizing a rally in support of a long overdue R18+ rating for video games in Australia. Protesters are asked to cosplay -- that is, dress up in a video game costumes -- for the demonstration at 1:00 pm on March 4, on the steps of the Adelaide Parliament House. Initial reaction to the idea has been met with criticism, as Aussie gamers apparently support the message, but not the medium. There are concerns that asking the government for an adult rating for games by those dressed up in costume could not be effective. This might be a time for gamers to put on their work uniforms, bring their children, and show they're a lot older than the Aussie government -- well, really, it's mostly South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson -- believes they are. [Via GamePolitics]
Australia making R18+ discussion paper public
Australia's censorship ministers (*cringe*) have agreed to release the shelved discussion paper on an R18+ rating for games, reports The Age. The topic was previously on indefinite hold following Attorney General Michael Atkinson's unilateral decision not to let the paper become public.During a recent meeting of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, the group, including Atkinson, agreed to finalize the discussion paper and release it by the end of the year (it'll be viewable globally on these here internets). Atkinson did not reveal at the meeting why he changed his mind. An R18+ rating means that games won't be banned for being inappropriate for a 15-year-old.
