Australian Gaming Classification – Left 4 Dead

If your an Australian gamer you’ll be all too familiar with the banning of video games and the modification of in game content for reclassification (for a full list check this link). The fact is that the highest classification that a game can be given in Australia is MA15+, despite the existence of a higher R18+ rating for film and television.

Believe it or not Australia in the strictest country in the western world in terms of an adult rated content system, we have more banned games than; Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.

Despite research by the iGEA which claims that the average age of gamers is 28, games continue to be refused the R18+ classification within Australia. Clearly this shows us that the video game classification system in Australia needs to be overhauled to keep up with the ever-evolving demands of the Australian public.

Australian adult gamers are unable to play games deemed suitable for people aged 16+. Not only that, but the current classification system has created a situation resulting in children between the ages of 15-18 being exposed to R18+ themes within games, the same kind of themes and imagery contained within R18+ films. As such I would argue that parents and gamers alike are being mislead by the current classification system.

Currently only Michael Atkinson, South Australian Attorney-General opposes the R18+ classification introduction. Today I wrote a letter to both Commonwealth Attorney-General, Brendan O’Connor, and the New South Wales Attorney-General, Hon. John Hatzistergos MP in regard to the subject, and am drafting another letter to Mr. Atkinson, I will provide updates when I get a response. I would also encourage you all to do the same, if you need any assistance with formalities or the e-mail addresses for the attorney-general of another state please just ask in the comments, or check out this post by the guys over at R18games.com.au because they have all the details, and they’re awesome.

Michael Atkinson is actually suffering from a chronic case of ambulothanatophobia.

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