Just when you thought the censorship situation in Australia couldn't get any worse, it goes and does - in spectacular fashion. News out today suggests that the Federal Government will use the impending internet censorship regime to also block websites that host or sell video games that have not been considered appropriate for Australian audiences.

That means, given our current legislation and lack of an R18+ adult rating, if a game is inappropriate for a 15 year old, it's unsuitable for release in this country. This law, which makes us the only developed country without such a classification, has previously only applied to local gaming emporiums selling physical copies of the game, but it seems a spokesperson for Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has come out and explained that under the new plans, the ban will extend to sites which sell physical or downloadable copies of the games, free downloadable titles and even flash-based web releases, if they have not been appropriately classified in this country.

Read full article by Jessica Citizen

I'd say that our old friend Mr Atkinson had some say in this.

Pretty sure I'm moving to america.

I don't see this happening.

/crosses fingers for one of two things to happen:
1) censorship trial fails.
2) Senate sees sense and votes it down.

I wonder if some of the publishers this would affect would dip into their pockets to engage in lobbying against this...

Is there any way we, as the people, could overthrow the government?

Are there not bigger issues facing this government at the moment?

Global Financial Crysis < Children leveling up Pick Pocket and Small Guns perk.

Yeal lol i was thinking the same thing.

read this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Revolution

than pissing off the gaming community? Obviously not

This really isn't cool. I'm all for revolution if this filter goes through.

Surely this would violate the FTA in some way?

No Steam?

They're kidding themselves, surely?

So they'll shut down Steam and we'll all go and pirate the games instead? GG.

If this filter ever does go through I will be taking direct action at every opportunity.