Hey folks, hope your weekend is coming along nicely. Here’s Stateline South Australia’s piece on introducing an R18+ classification for video games. They speak with Michael Atkinson, Elizabeth Handsley from Young Media Australia, and some gamers. Watch below thanks to No Censorship Australia:
News out of this weeks SCAG meeting is that they will soon release a discussion paper on the proposed introduction of an R18+ rating for video games. EFA will be lodging a submission to SCAG once that paper is released and they are looking to do so with the assistance of gamers. More on that here.
Update: Tim from R18games.com.au has a detailed review of the Atkinson interview here:
Michael Atkinson believes that he is the last remaining bastion of hope for the morals of Australia. He looks around at other countries, seeing a slide into moral decay, violence and corruption, and decides to take a stand against it all… by censoring video games.
13 comments
Jarrod says:
Nov 8, 2008
this is a small step in the right direction. once the discussion paper hits the public i’m sure this issue will take off.
Bob Bain says:
Nov 8, 2008
It may be interesting to read this..
http://zh-cn.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=8749198742&topic=4311
From: Dan 写道2008年2月28日 16:08
I understand that years ago, when this came up, you stated that as long as you hold the position you do, you will continue to hold this view. This has been widely reported in the media and from a basis of pure politics, it takes a lot to hold-fast on a particular view and not be swayed. Are you aware that we are the only fully westernised country that does not have an R-rating on their interactive media? The one thing that myself, and no doubt other members of the public have questioned – Why?
——–
Michael, wouldn’t it be a great feeling knowing that if you did support the R-rating, you could single-handedly save this country $100 million and the jobs and livelihoods of over 200 Australians?
The study conducted by the IEAA also found that 88% of participants support a common classification system for both games and films. Despite this, you have chosen to ignore the request of these people, and go your own road anyway? Michael, please correct me if I’m mistaken, but when I went to school, I was taught and am still lead to believe, that as a member of parliament, you are voted in by the people to act as a representative, in a democratic nation, standing up for our needs and requirements? So, if there is a majority of people that are in support of this change, surely it’s your duty as a member of parliament to fulfil this request? Surely this is the basic concept of living in a democracy, Michael?
———-
Michael, in summing up, I ask of you to honestly look at the facts and statistics that you have been presented with today during your meeting, study the IEAA’s findings carefully. Take into consideration what the majority of the people in this country are asking for and approve the R-rating for an adult classification of interactive media, for the benefit of all of Australia.
I appreciate your time for reading this, and look forward to your feedback,
Sincerely,
Dan M*******
Bob (who has been searching for issues relating to Australian censorship on Chinese search engines)
Tim says:
Nov 8, 2008
Thanks for posting this, I’ve put something up on it as well. People need to watch this and see just how monstrously arrogant Mr. Atkinson is. This interview was horribly enlightening for me, I had no idea he was that self-important about the issue.
Jeremy says:
Nov 9, 2008
Likewise.
I also loved how the ABC interspersed footage of all these violent games without pointing out THAT THEY’RE AVAILABLE TO BUY BY YOUR FIFTEEN YEAR OLD RIGHT NOW PRECISELY BECAUSE THERE’S NO R18 RATING.
More here.
Mark Limburg says:
Nov 9, 2008
Howdy all,
Just a Digg link to help spread the word.
http://digg.com/educational/No_R18_Gaming_Classification_in_Australia
There was a fair bit edited also. I discussed how Fallout 3 is rated M15 here but R18 in the UK, and the single reason this occurred is because Atkinson won’t allow it. It’s a very valid example of where he is just SO wrong, and so pig-headed that he won’t take any input on the issue.
The fight will continue. It has to.
Bookbuster says:
Nov 9, 2008
Ok, now, here’s something that struck me:
He’s effectively said they he bought at least one of the GTA games for his kids, and has watched them play it. If this is correct, that he has four children, this year aged 21, 19, 16 and 12. By release date, my hasty and unchecked computations suggest:
GTA (1998): 11, 9, 4, 2
GTAII (1999): 12, 10, 5, 3
GTAIII (2001-2004): 14-17, 12-14, 9-12, 5-8
GTAIV (2008): 21, 19, 16, 12
I know that all instalments of the GTA series have had an MA-15+ rating in Australia.
By law “persons under 15 may only legally purchase or exhibit MA15+ rated content under the supervision of an adult guardian. This is a legally restricted category”.
This makes me somewhat concerned when another quick bit of research suggests that you could run over Hare Krishna in GTA (1997/1998) and GTA II (1999), but that it Krishna-killing wasn’t really a feature of latter games. Has he been buying MA15+ games for a 12 year old?
If so, no wonder he’s concerned about the ineffectuality of parents. He’s got a pretty poor personal track record. In fact, I’d suggest that he is exactly the sort of man who would go out and buy an R-18 game for his kids without thinking twice, and then complain when they have nightmares.
Jeremy says:
Nov 9, 2008
Well… he could have bought them later for his kids once they were 15, I suppose.
Still, the point is that it’s got nothing to do with R18 because you can play GTA2 and run over Hare Krishnas quite lawfully at the moment. Even if you’re only 15.
Bob Bain says:
Nov 9, 2008
By law “persons under 15 may only legally purchase or exhibit MA15+ rated content under the supervision of an adult guardian. This is a legally restricted category”.
———————
South Australian legislation regarding MA15+ computer games includes the following provision.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_act/cfacga1995489/s62.html
(2) A person must not sell or deliver to a minor who is under 15 a computer game classified MA 15+ unless the person is a parent or guardian of the minor.
Maximum penalty: $1 250.
——————–
Part 6 of the South Australian CLASSIFICATION (PUBLICATIONS, FILMS AND COMPUTER GAMES) ACT 1995 deals with Computer Games..
Reference:
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_act/cfacga1995489/
We have similar legislation in New South Wales.
Bob
Bob Bain says:
Nov 10, 2008
While comparing so called “uniform” enforcement legislation it may be worth considering the differences between South Australia and New South Wales with resepect to the sale of unclassified films, X18+ films and RC films.
South Australia
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_act/cfacga1995489/s38.html
==================
a person must not sell—
(a) an unclassified film that would, if classified, be classified RC or X 18+; or
(b) a film classified RC or X 18+.
Maximum penalty: $10 000.
===================
New South Wales
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/cfacgea1995596/s6.html
6 Sale or public exhibition of unclassified, RC or X 18+ films prohibited
A person must not sell or publicly exhibit:
(a) a film classified RC or X 18+, or
(b) an unclassified film.
Maximum penalty:
• in the case of an unclassified film that is subsequently classified G-1 penalty unit for an individual, 5 penalty units for a corporation
• in the case of an unclassified film that is subsequently classified PG-5 penalty units for an individual, 10 penalty units for a corporation
• in the case of an unclassified film that is subsequently classified M-10 penalty units for an individual, 20 penalty units for a corporation
• in the case of an unclassified film that is subsequently classified MA 15+ or R 18+-50 penalty units for an individual, 100 penalty units for a corporation
• in the case of a film classified RC or X 18+ or an unclassified film that is subsequently classified RC or X 18+-100 penalty units or imprisonment for 12 months for an individual, 250 penalty units for a corporation.
==============================
South Australia does not impose prison sentences on those who sell films that are legal in some parts of Australia and overseas.
The New South Wales Act is more “wordy” and provides a penalty (but not jail time) for a corporation. The South Australian legislation doesn’t mention a corporation. Only natural persons can be sentenced to jail time in New South Wales.
In terms of fines 100 penalty units in New South Wales at a base of 1 penalty point = $100 (indexed so it’s no doubt higher now) = $10,000 which is much the same as South Australia.
As far as I know nobody has served jail time in New South Wales for selling unclassified X18+ or RC films. There’s quite a few on the market.
South Australia
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_act/cfacga1995489/
New South Wales
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/cfacgea1995596/
Part 6 in the South Australia legislation deals with computer games. Part 4 in the New South Wales legislation deals with computer games.
Both acts permit the “demonstration” of an MA15+ computer game to a person under the age of 15 if that person is the parent or guardian or the minor which means as far as I can tell that Michael Atkinson can play MA15+ games with a 5 year old if he wishes (both in South Australia and New South Wales).
Bob
Bookbuster says:
Nov 10, 2008
Oh, I’m not saying that buying the game for his kids was illegal – I’m saying it’s very indicative of the way he approaches this issue. One of his stated reasons for not wanting an R18+ rating is that he feels that parents can’t be trusted to not buy them for kids, or stop kids from playing them.
“I cannot see how adding an R18+ classification for games will stop parents from making bad choices for their children or stop children from getting hold of a game from a friend or sibling.”
“You may consider some parents are now irresponsible with the games they allow their children to purchase.”
“As a parent of children who enjoy playing grotesque and violent video games – two of my children are adults – I am concerned with their access to such extreme material already. I do not purchase this material for them and I would prefer they did not play such games. However, as a modern parent it is difficult to police the console.”
So, bearing in mind that the second eldest child, the girl, is apparently not a gamer, he’s suggesting that his own kids play games that, in the instances of the younger two, may well be intended for older children and, in any case, seem to contain content that he obviously strongly objects to and/or considers inappropriate. If he, bastion of morality that he is, can’t be a responsible parent and take a firm line about what kinds of games are brought into and played by members of his household, obviously no-one else can. His own failings seem to be the basis for his opinion – a desire for the government to stop him from being even more irresponsible.
Revan says:
Nov 11, 2008
A R18+ game rating would not in any way hurt children. When are people going to get over the fact that adults also play video games? To be honest even from the much overused “think of the children perspective” a R18+ rating would be beneficial because maybe then parents would think twice before letting their kids play GTA or Fallout 3. I love Fallout 3 as a game but I believe that it is entirely inappropriate for a 9 year old to be playing it. An R18+ rating would be taken more seriously by games retailers and by parents than the current maximum rating of MA15+ and would also allow a greater range of options for games developers.
Joyce says:
Nov 11, 2008
I’m with Revan, as an avid gamer. In the past many gamers were children, but those children have grown up now and are still playing games. Other countries have recognised this with an adults only rating for games, but Australia is still considering games the domain of children.
Speaking to people who have children of their own, there seems to be a vast difference in perception between a MA15+ and a R18+ rating in other mediums. Although they may let someone under 15 view MA material, many are hesitant to allow their children to view R18 material. Why, I am not sure, but I hazard a guess as to the age mark of 15 is still considered a child, while 18 marks adulthood.
With a R18+ rating, games like GTA, Fallout 3 and numerous others will be able to be legally kept in the hands of adults over 18 rather than having a censored version made available to children 15 and under instead.
Mitch says:
Nov 12, 2009
“As a parent of children who enjoy playing grotesque and violent video games – two of my children are adults – I am concerned with their access to such extreme material already. I do not purchase this material for them and I would prefer they did not play such games. However, as a modern parent it is difficult to police the console.”
Police the console lol you can do that with the Parental Controls and las time I checked he has a 22 year old son who he cant get off the console well he is 22 years old sounds like this is more of an Agenda than any thing else its no wonder every other State would like to see it in but not him does he realise all the Studies show support for an R18+ rating and that watching a Violent Movie the person is more relaxed and is able to draw in more than playing a game where there more focused on moving and doing other things