NSW MP wants to reclassify 50 MA15+ games as R18+
By Jess Colwill on October 25, 2012 at 7:11 pm
With the new R18+ rating coming in next year, a lot of people are asking if games previously refused classification will be reconsidered for this new rating. It seems the official word on that is, ‘No, not ever, not on your life, you violent teenagers, you.’
But that isn’t stopping NSW MP Greg Donnelly from suggesting that he will be reviewing other titles — at least 50, apparently — that have been on shelves for months, for reclassification to R18+ from MA15+. “Steps will be taken to look at what are colloquially referred to as the 50 video and computer games — at least 50 — that it is believed in one way or another have been shoe-horned into the MA 15+ category and should now be rated at the higher classification,” Donnelly has stated.
While the shoehorning of R-rated material into an MA rating was one of the main reasons behind the R18+ lobby, it does seem a little unfair that games that have been classified and on shelves for months can obtain a new classification, while adults across Australia who missed out on one game or another as it was refused classification, still miss out.
What do you think? Do you think this is a reasonable step to protect children? Or do you think games that are already classified should be stuck with the rating they were given? Or do you think it’s fine, but should go both ways, so games refused classification get a second chance? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: Kotaku Australia (Thanks, Palzer0)
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Curious to know what the games are…
I should reclassify my boot for these drongo’s ass’s.
Average age of a gamer is something like 30+ years old, yet they treat us like incompetent children and not permit us to play these games.
The worst part is, classification does nothing as the Internet is the great equalizer on these issues, but they’re not willing to adapt and change, just change and add more restrictions.
The Government shouldn’t be there to baby sit everyone, parents should be more mindful on the content kids are consuming and you know… Actually be a parent.
Us more mature gamers should be allowed any mature game we want without restriction. – Within reason, some themes shouldn’t ever be allowed regardless of the medium it’s portrayed in.
Both ways. Where’s the source that already RC’d games can’t be put through again? Does that mean the L4D2 censorship will never ever be removed?
If they keep the ban on the refused classification titles rather than introducing them under the R18+ rating, then Australian gamers will do what we most likely have done in the past and download them illegally. Simple as that.
We will get these games either way, it’s up to the government as to whether it’s to the detriment of the economy (and the studios behind said games) or not. Granted, some people will pirate regardless, but I’m sure some would rather buy the games and support the devs.
exe3,
A good question. Is there a source to that claim? I imagine for games like l4d2 companies big enough like valve will, instead of asking for reclassification will simply re-release as L4D2 GOTY edition (or something), go for a whole new classification. I don’t see any convenient avenue for the smaller titles/publishers though.
I don’t see the problem here.
libbaz,
I think they mean they’re not reclassifying RC games themselves. If a publisher resubmits a game for classification, I believe it can still be reclassified. But that’s at the publishers expense.
Perhaps if we don’t post comments with content, spelling and grammar typical of children, we will be treated as adults.
I was under the impression that a game could be resubmitted for classification as many times as you want, as long as the associated fees were paid for each time.
The game doesnt even need to be changed, just the submission cover letter changed to state why the previous classification decisions were incorrect based on ‘x’ factors previously unconsidered. Quite a few games that are initially knocked back have been classified on a second go with no modifications, so there should be no reason why an RC game can’t be similarly reclassified.
I think alot of the shoehorned games should be made R18, and reclassification of older games certainly cant hurt, but it definitely needs to go both ways, and allow RC games to be reconsidered. If there is a block on RC games being reclasified, that definitely needs to change.
I don’t see an issue here, I agree that there are between a few to a lot of games that have been under classified.
This was also a major pushing point for getting an r18+ rating in the first place.
Either have it go both ways or leavve it alone altogether.
No problem here, I might not be able to write a list of 50 games but I can think of a few games released that really deserve an R-18 that were pushed through MA-15. In fact, thinking about it, promising a review of a few of the MA-15 titles may end up promoting the R-18 cause a little. One of the arguments for the R-18 classification was that some titles were being shoehorned into a classification that didn’t fit, so reviewing those titles is in our best interest.
The various GTA games will be pushed into the R18+ bracket I imagine so if they aren’t on that list well I’m a monkey’s uncle.
As vcat points out there are a fair few games that are currently MA15+ which honestly shouldn’t be and it’s a good way to show that the ratings are to be less arbitrary than they currently are.
I just want to play Syndicate! Come on!
Each Game should be given ythe classification it deserves…
if it really does warrant an R18 then it should have it
That means to me – if it is MA15 now if it needs to be R18 it should be
if it was edited to become MA15 ir should be enabled to be R18 Version as originally created and if it was refused Classification because it couldn’t be MA15 but could fit in R18 then it should be…
Real Simple politicians.
Well I guess if the government is only going to do one of two things, it will be this.
No. Classification is a company, not a Classification Board, initiated action; in order for things to be reclassified they need to be resubmitted and the submission fee paid over.
The only thing barring the whole process is the cost and bother involved…