Despite many gamers writing it off as a lost cause, the Federal Government has announced they are considering updating the Australian classification system for games, finally including an R18+ restricted rating.

Currently in this country, there is no adult classification for video games, unlike other publications such as films and magazines - which means that any games that do not meet the MA15+ standard are simply refused classification. This has seen games like the recent sci-fi shooter Dark Sector effectively banned from sale in Australia due to a ruling by the OFLC that it contained excessive graphic violence - including "decapitation, dismemberment of limbs accompanied by large blood spurts ... and exploded bodies".


Refused Classification: Postal II, Reservoir Dogs, Dark Sector
A spokeswoman for Bob Debus, the Minister for Home Affairs, has confirmed that the issue will be on the table at the next Standing Committee of Attorneys-General meeting, to be held on March 28th. Any proposed changes to the censorship laws must be agreed to by the Commonwealth and various state and territory attorneys-general, and this is the first time the issue has been discussed since November 2005, as the former Liberal government were reluctant to put the issue on the agenda.

Since 2001, 18 games have been refused classification in this country, with eight of those titles modified and resubmitted to achieve an MA15+ rating.

The Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia, through Bond University, researched Australian gamers, and found that the average age is 28, with more than half being over 18. An earlier survey held in 2005 discovered that a whopping 88 percent of Australians supported an R18+ classification for games.

Long held up as an old-fashioned, out-dated regime, the games industry has often argued that the laws prevent adults from choosing the content they consume, and have called for classifications to be standardised across all forms of media. Jeffrey Brand, the author of the Bond University study, has confirmed that Australia is the only developed democracy in the world who does not have an adult classification in place for video games.

He explained that some games that really deserved an adult classification were sneaking through as MA15+ in some cases, and that others that have been refused classification are still easily accessible over the Internet or from overseas.

Dr Brand continues:

"These games are entering the marketplace despite the classification restriction, and so very often parents, who in some cases are the least savvy in the household about games, are unaware that this adult content exists."

Re-submitted for an MA15+ rating: Soldier of Fortune: Payback, 50 Cent: Bulletproof, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Angela Conway, a spokeswoman for the Australian Family Association comments that some of the MA-rated games available to Australians already contain "concerning" levels of sexual or violent content.

"We would be opposed to the adoption of an R-rated category because we believe that research is pointing to the fact that these games actually do impact behaviour and psychology more easily than a film. Our big concern is that there is a continual [positive] reinforcement for players actually acting out violent and sexual impulses ... this sort of technology has actually been used to desensitise soldiers ... and retrain them and break down their defences against killing."

Ron Curry, chief executive of the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia explains that the onus would be back on the individual states and territories, and their respective retailers, to make sure that people under 18 could not acquire adult titles. Compulsory ID checks may be put in place, which Curry "absolutely supports".

Of course, as this story develops, we'll keep you up to date with all the news and happenings, and while I don't suggest you start holding your breath just yet - this is some of the most positive news for gamers who want an R18+ rating in Australia that we've heard for years.

Thanks as always to everyone who submitted this news!