Federal Government approves R18+ games rating

by Ben Salter Featured 37 Comments 63 Votes 4574 Views 05/12/2010 Back to News

The Federal Government has approved the introduction of an R18+ rating for video games.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the federal Cabinet has approved an R18+ rating for video games. Currently, the highest rating for games in Australia is MA15+. As a result, many games given an adults only rating overseas are available to 15-year-olds in Australia. It has also caused some games to be refused classification, and effectively banned, when they are deemed unacceptable for 15-year-olds.

Before the change can be implemented, Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor must gain the support of each State and Territory's Attorneys-General.

"Children and teenagers shouldn't be exposed to the gratuitous sex, violence and adult themes that are contained in some computer games," said O'Connor.

"Over time, we've allowed games to get into the hands of 15-year-olds that would not have been available in comparable countries; that should not have happened."

For an R18+ rating to be introduced, there must be a unanimous agreement amongst the State Attorneys-General as well as the Federal Government. If one State doesn't agree, the change won't go ahead.

Link to us http://PS3.mmgn.com/News/Federal-Government-approves-R1

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Federal Government approves R18+ games rating Comments

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Kudos: 7,748

RynoCerus

Hope it comes through this time. 8)

05/12/2010

Gold Coast - Queensland

Kudos: 10,518

LMA0

This is good news n a great victory. I'm so happy that I'm going to sacrifice a goat because of hearing this great news.

05/12/2010

Outer West Sydney aka The Ghetto

Kudos: 15,634

Mystogun

lol she isnt called teh red queen for nothing :P

05/12/2010

LOST in skyrim

Kudos: 17,604

Tiberius

May be good for some people but not for me -_-

05/12/2010

Thirlmere, NSW

Kudos: 51,772

CheeryDog

The Attorney-Generals had better not stuff this up. I don't want to here about people complaining that we don't have R18+ anymore

05/12/2010

South Australia

Kudos: 153,958

Matteh

So I've been avoiding this whole issue so I don't know much. So what exactly were we missing out on when we didn't have it?

05/12/2010

3DS FC: 2105-8899-5628. PM me if you add me, please.

Kudos: 15,634

Mystogun

tiberius said: May be good for some people but not for me

it doesnt really effect me

05/12/2010

LOST in skyrim

Kudos: 287,033

Gryllis

Matteh said: So I've been avoiding this whole issue so I don't know much. So what exactly were we missing out on when we didn't have it?

Only a few things that are too violent for 15+. The bigger issue is 15 year olds are getting games that other countries deem are 17 or 18+.

05/12/2010

The member formerly formerly known as ICC_06, formerly known as Ben.

Kudos: 1,310

Luke1993

that is really great news we will have to wait till the 10th

05/12/2010

Adelaide

Kudos: 3,844

Dr_Mario

Games with ratings that young gamers like me can't play.

This Is NONsEnSiCaL!!! [Rage] [Rage] [Rage]

I hate that red headed flying retard on a tricycle.

05/12/2010

sup dawg?

Kudos: 19,614

ZePpLiNs

Well, now watch the influx of games that could have been rated MA15+ being rated R18+.

05/12/2010

Melbourne

Kudos: 121,463

Mirage

The article also stated that games that have been RC'd/modified will not be allowed to be reclassified.

05/12/2010

Do you want some Tea?

Kudos: 287,033

Gryllis

Even if everyone agrees on the 10th, it'll still take a while for them to work it out, they basically need to overhaul the whole classification system, and then get it legislated.

05/12/2010

The member formerly formerly known as ICC_06, formerly known as Ben.

Kudos: 17,828

LDEvolution

Mirage said: The article also stated that games that have been RC'd/modified will not be allowed to be reclassified.

Well that sucks but atleast Australia might finally has a 18+ rating which my bets are whoever is rating games all the kool ones will be R18+ if this goes through...

05/12/2010

Kudos: 71,677

Silence

Mirage said: The article also stated that games that have been RC'd/modified will not be allowed to be reclassified.

So no uncut L4D2? =(

05/12/2010

I'm from the Internet. Nothing I say is original.

Kudos: 199,312

sjt333

Silence said:
Mirage said: The article also stated that games that have been RC'd/modified will not be allowed to be reclassified.

So no uncut L4D2? =(

not unless valve resubmit

but then all copies of the game would have to be taken off shelves and updated

which would be very costly

so no

05/12/2010

To get shot and not do much else, turn to page 58 "I've always liked cowabunga."

Kudos: 28,368

W84NO1

Yay!
Its about damn time this got into motion ^_^

05/12/2010

It's not the destination, but the journey you take to get there that matters.

Kudos: 5,928

SACRED

sjt333 said:
Silence said:
Mirage said: The article also stated that games that have been RC'd/modified will not be allowed to be reclassified.

So no uncut L4D2? =(

not unless valve resubmit
but then all copies of the game would have to be taken off shelves and updated
which would be very costly
so no

uhm... patch on steam, not very costly

05/12/2010

Gold Coast AKA GCC

Kudos: 199,312

sjt333

SACRED said:
sjt333 said:
Silence said:
Mirage said: The article also stated that games that have been RC'd/modified will not be allowed to be reclassified.

So no uncut L4D2? =(

not unless valve resubmit
but then all copies of the game would have to be taken off shelves and updated
which would be very costly
so no

uhm... patch on steam, not very costly

uhhh boxed copies and i doubt the government would let them just release a patch for it

05/12/2010

To get shot and not do much else, turn to page 58 "I've always liked cowabunga."

Kudos: 71,677

Silence

They did it with Duke Nukem

05/12/2010

I'm from the Internet. Nothing I say is original.

Kudos: 300,143

Tano

OK so we're kind of in the situation we've been in for a while anyway...

05/12/2010

"Niko! Cousin!"

Kudos: 75,060

Matrix6

So close now I can smell my feet.

05/12/2010

The Last Story VI: Temptress In Azure

Kudos: 21,159

Pact

sjt333 said:
Silence said:
Mirage said: The article also stated that games that have been RC'd/modified will not be allowed to be reclassified.

So no uncut L4D2? =(

not unless valve resubmit
but then all copies of the game would have to be taken off shelves and updated
which would be very costly
so no

PC and Steam FTW.

I guess they could be patched through Xbox Live.

05/12/2010

The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands, To fight the horde, sing and cry: Valhalla, I am coming!

Kudos: 32,595

Elraro

We haven't exactly hit home yet. Were technically still in the same spot we were 6 months ago. If all the AG's don't say yes, we still won't see an R18+ rating.

05/12/2010

Sydney

Kudos: 5,247

Maniaman

Apparently the WA AG is going to get forced to say NO!

05/12/2010

Brisbane

Kudos: 153,958

Matteh

Ben said:
Matteh said: So I've been avoiding this whole issue so I don't know much. So what exactly were we missing out on when we didn't have it?

Only a few things that are too violent for 15+. The bigger issue is 15 year olds are getting games that other countries deem are 17 or 18+.

Ah, I see. So, the maim problem was just the youngens playing games not suited for their age? Then why was it such a big deal for them to do this? I don't see why they were winging so much about introducing it if it only serves a protective purpose.

05/12/2010

3DS FC: 2105-8899-5628. PM me if you add me, please.

Kudos: 73,841

Tsunamo

Because, Matteh. Those opposing it have been so blind as to think R18 games will get into the youngins hands, but they wont unless the parent is responsible for allowing that. So, those opposing it thought it would do more harm than good.

Sadly, those opposing it bring up points that usually aren't even valid.

05/12/2010

[Perth, W.A | MMGN]

Kudos: 153,958

Matteh

Hmm, I see. So this is yet another thing to add to the "it's the parents fault" list?

05/12/2010

3DS FC: 2105-8899-5628. PM me if you add me, please.

Kudos: 5,928

SACRED

sjt333 said:
SACRED said:
sjt333 said:
Silence said:
Mirage said: The article also stated that games that have been RC'd/modified will not be allowed to be reclassified.

So no uncut L4D2? =(

not unless valve resubmit
but then all copies of the game would have to be taken off shelves and updated
which would be very costly
so no

uhm... patch on steam, not very costly

uhhh boxed copies and i doubt the government would let them just release a patch for it

For pc all of the valve games that are boxed are linked to steam though so a simple patch will fix it

05/12/2010

Gold Coast AKA GCC

Kudos: 199,312

sjt333

SACRED said:
sjt333 said:
SACRED said:
sjt333 said:
Silence said:
Mirage said: The article also stated that games that have been RC'd/modified will not be allowed to be reclassified.

So no uncut L4D2? =(

not unless valve resubmit
but then all copies of the game would have to be taken off shelves and updated
which would be very costly
so no

uhm... patch on steam, not very costly

uhhh boxed copies and i doubt the government would let them just release a patch for it

For pc all of the valve games that are boxed are linked to steam though so a simple patch will fix it

the government would make them rebrand all the boxes

05/12/2010

To get shot and not do much else, turn to page 58 "I've always liked cowabunga."

Kudos: 287,033

Gryllis

Matteh said:
Ben said:
Matteh said: So I've been avoiding this whole issue so I don't know much. So what exactly were we missing out on when we didn't have it?

Only a few things that are too violent for 15+. The bigger issue is 15 year olds are getting games that other countries deem are 17 or 18+.

Ah, I see. So, the maim problem was just the youngens playing games not suited for their age? Then why was it such a big deal for them to do this? I don't see why they were winging so much about introducing it if it only serves a protective purpose.

Well, it's much bigger than that. It's a huge issue, and you really have to put the time in to research it. That's the problem. The people in power are grossly misinformed about the situation and that's the primary reason we don't have an R rating. They - the people against it - seem to think it'll allow more violent games to find there way into children's hands, which makes no sense to me.

Gamers are fighting for it because some games, like GTA4 and Left 4 Dead, were editing to be released in Australia to be acceptable for 15 year olds, when they were made for adults. Essentially the current system says gaming is for children and censors anything for adults. That's why people are angry we don't have one.

05/12/2010

The member formerly formerly known as ICC_06, formerly known as Ben.

Kudos: 35,288

capt_oats

This is a never ending cycle. @_@

05/12/2010

Σίδνεϊ, Αυστραλία.

Kudos: 16,076

ozchap

Maniaman said: Apparently the WA AG is going to get forced to say NO!

lol WA should never have messed with the bikies [Shifty]

Tsunamo said: Because, Matteh. Those opposing it have been so blind as to think R18 games will get into the youngins hands, but they wont

yes. so blind. they wont ever get into the youngins hands, they couldnt possibly :P

06/12/2010

"That's not a skirt, girl, that's a sawn-off shotgun..."

Kudos: 49,077

Jubilee

Finally, maybe now we'll stop hearing about it

06/12/2010

QLD | Tweet: @jeannius88 | Steam: jeannius88 | SC2: Jubilee251 | Part of the Swarm

Kudos: 5,317

whyt_guy

Jubilee said: Finally, maybe now we'll stop hearing about it

Yeah, I'm sick of hearing about it too.

Just give the damn R18+ rating and STFU

06/12/2010

NSW, Bossley Park

Kudos: 40,784

Desi

Tsunamo said: Those opposing it have been so blind as to think R18 games will get into the youngins hands, but they wont

I know I never accessed material not appropriate for my age group! [Facepalm]

06/12/2010

And I love starting sentences with conjunctions! >=D

Kudos: 28,935

MicDaMan

Silence said:
Mirage said: The article also stated that games that have been RC'd/modified will not be allowed to be reclassified.

So no uncut L4D2? =(

Haha the only difference is that the bodies don't disappear, the killing is still full gore.

Why not bring out a 18+ for the adults and a 15+ for the youngin's so Teens wont miss out? Can they do that?

06/12/2010

If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.