I fucking hate this country! Part 2

Posted by Lynk Former
30 October 2008 @ 5:46 PM
12

I’m really sick and tired of this…

The introduction of an R18+ rating for computer games has been delayed indefinitely after South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson withdrew his support for a discussion paper and public consultation process.

…

Mr Atkinson has opposed the introduction of an R18+ rating for games for many years, telling parliament earlier this year that he knew it denied Australian adults choice but was necessary to help restrict children’s access to “potentially harmful material”.

…

Four games have been refused classification so far this year, with horror game Silent Hill: Homecoming the latest to be banned last month.

Over 90 per cent of Australian adults, including both game players and non-players, believe Australia should have an R18+ rating for games according to a report released this week by Bond University and the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia.

…

The issue is again on the agenda for discussion at the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General meeting next month.

Read the full article here: The Age Blogs – Screen Play: Censoring the censorship debate

This country is so hypocritical about its media. There are various movies made and released in Australia that feature heavy drug references and violence. The adults of this nation are able to view those movies and the government even supports the making of such movies. However, when it comes to the gaming industry, the people who are in charge want to try to bury it and pretend it doesn’t exist and try to take it away from those who have a right to enjoy them.

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Comments: 12
Moelman says:
Move to America, problem solved.
maverick187 says:
So if I'm understanding this correctly, games that would normally be rated Mature (17+) in other regions, get the ban down in Australia? Or is it on a game by game basis? Either way, that's pretty stupid, but on the bright side PS3 games are region free
Lynk Former says:
No, they don't get an automatic ban.

We have our own classification group called the OFLC (Office of Film and Literature Classification) which rates various forms of media which is released down here in Australia.

The rating system for movies down here is:
G, PG, M15+, MA15+ and R18+

The rating system for videogames down here is:
G, PG, M15+ and MA15+

The great majority of the most violent videogames can fit into the M15+ and MA15+ ratings pretty easily. Probably about 1 game every few years will be made that would really justify the use of the R18+ rating... however, the real issue isn't that we don't have an R18+ but that the lack of an R18+ rating is being used as an excuse to censor our videogames. Of course, with that said... there are certain games that have been released complete and uncut with an MA15+ rating that could probably do with an R18+ rating... but we don't have one!

It's really funny when you get down and look at what kind of reasons certain games are banned and edited. For instance, one game can be banned because the main character doesn't show remorse for his violent actions. However, a game like Resident Evil 4, which has some pretty violent things in it and have been censored in some other countries, is completely fine down here and we got the complete and uncut version of that game.

Fallout 3 was going to be banned because of its use of morphine... and that's it! THAT was the reason. The game has since been edited worldwide with morphine changed to some made up drug name... and suddenly that makes it fine to release down here now.

Silent Hill Homecoming was recently banned down here, though I don't know what for... I wonder what will happen when No More Heroes 2 comes out down here...
Stormfalcon says:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moelman View Post
Move to America, problem solved.
Moving to America won't solve anything. It'll get you away from
Australia, but America is also really screwed up. And that's pretty
obvious.
Moelman says:
There is nothing "screwed up" enough to affect the day to day lives of citizens. I do not want to derail the thread but please give me an example of this. I was only addressing this issue with videogames, America does not have these kind of restrictions.
Chimasterwang says:
I think Lynk has made it clear that he dosn't want to move to America a few times now XD
Kookee says:
should set up a 'fund lynk's plane ticket to USA fund'

yes, fund was put in there twice.
Moelman says:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chimasterwang View Post
I think Lynk has made it clear that he dosn't want to move to America a few times now XD
That is why I keep suggesting it.
Chimasterwang says:
Maybe he could move to New Zealand, i think it has a R18 rating for videogames
Eva says:
I thought parents should restrict children's opportunities to obtain inappropriate video games?
Milkymagic says:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eva View Post
I thought parents should restrict children's opportunities to obtain inappropriate video games?
Yeah, but apparently parenting sucks and most responsible adults leave it in the "government's capable hands" to organize such bullshit. And don't most kids know what's real and fake anyway? Of course, I don't remember watching slasher flicks as a kid and having the urge to kill people...I guess some people forgot how a child's mind works I think. I mean, good parenting beats all if you want my opinion.

Morphine in Fallout 3 seems minor when considering that the idea of shooting people in cold blood is probably more suggestive than perhaps shooting some morphine into your arm! XD

Also, isn't morphine given through practical medical usage at hospitals anyway? WTF!?
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