gamepolitics: Wear Your Trench Coat, Slip into "Adults Only" Section to Buy Games

Game Politics (

gamepolitics) wrote,
@ 2006-04-12 11:50:00

Entry tags:

barbara scott, censorship act, green party, legislation, liberal party, ma-15, oflc, western australia

Wear Your Trench Coat, Slip into "Adults Only" Section to Buy Games

Will Halo and Battlefield 2 need to be placed in some seedy "Adults Only" section of video game stores?

That seems possible, based on new legislation in Western Australia. There, the state parliament has re-tooled its Censorship Act,and the results are a bit frightening. As reported by ABC News, the state's Government's Censorship Amendment Bill makes it a crime to sell or rent MA-15-rated games to minors.

Both the Liberal and Green parties collaborated in passing the measure. Legislator Barbara Scott said of the new law, "At the moment, a child can go in (to a game shop) with their care taker or babysitter or parent. There's no problem with that person, an adult hiring (an MA-15 game) or buying it, but this measure will now at least make that adult be aware that the contents are not appropriate for young children."

Regarding a requirement to segregate MA15 games, Aussie GP'er Alex Morris told us, "As far as I'm aware this is unprecedented in Australia. It's a bit of a tough deal for retailers like EB, who like discounting stuff heavily and throwing lots copies of the same game on tables for customers to browse. That won't be possible any more."

Violations can result in a fine of up to $5,000.

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No offense to aussies

yukimurasanada
2006-04-12 03:03 pm UTC (link)

But, GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Hate to say it, but I love a country where shit like that is struck down in court on a monthly basis.

SPeaking of which, word out of cali is the Cali game law is dead by the end of may. Yee and his so called constituional experts are scrambling cause there previous plan, which relied alot on Dr. Andersons work, is no longer valid due to the recent ruling in michigan.

Now, admittedly, this is my take on things from research i've done, but if yee and his crew can't come up with a better game plan, then the bill is dead on it's feet.

Night all

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: No offense to aussies duncan_922 2006-04-12 03:10 pm UTC (link)
	Even though I agree with you, something must be said for the fact that things like these have to go to court every month. Where if common sense was used, they would never make it to court in the first place. (Reply to this) (Parent)

Re: No offense to aussies -

jabrwock, 2006-04-12 04:56 pm UTC

Re: No offense to aussies -

braindead1, 2006-04-13 04:38 am UTC

	kurisu7885 2006-04-12 03:05 pm UTC (link)
	And this comes from a nation founded by violent convicts whom banned Postal 2. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	thelandofsmeg 2006-04-12 03:15 pm UTC (link)
	Founded by Violent Convicts? How about finding some relevance to that statement. Jabrwock is spot on when he says that Adult Games should be eligable for Adult ratings too. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

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aloysiusblack, 2006-04-16 12:24 pm UTC

	fuzzymoogle 2006-04-12 03:13 pm UTC (link)
	Apparently in Australia you're a man at 15. :o (Reply to this)

	NO WAI! x_vader_x 2006-04-12 05:14 pm UTC (link)
	I would be 15 less then a month... That would mean I would already be able to buy a game from Autrailia thats MA-15? (Reply to this)

	Wow. kittenseffy 2006-04-12 05:18 pm UTC (link)
	I don't believe that minors should be playing violent games without adult consent, but, geezus. Can we say overkill? GG, Australia. You lose. :( (Reply to this)

durlock
2006-04-12 05:50 pm UTC (link)

The worst part about the entire thing is...

Most buisnesses will now have to renovate their buildings to include such a place inside of the building, which involves shutting down their buisness in the first place to do said renovations, causing money lost and a lot people being pissed because of it.

Workers and Renters alike.

You honestly think EB is going to condone such a stupid thing either way? Someone's going tp up and sue for lost buisness on a grand hundred million dollar scale after a couple of months for such stupidity.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	beardedferret 2006-04-13 12:42 am UTC (link)
	It won't be that hard. Separate a section for each system - XB, PS2 and the like - and put MA games exclusively in there. Certainly won't require renovation. EB may very well try and get this law blocked, but I don't know. I haven't heard anything yet. Alex Morris (Reply to this) (Parent)

	Big Brother is Watching You... getwellgamer 2006-04-12 05:52 pm UTC (link)
	I just can't reconcile the equation of violence with pronography. War and death and fighting have been a part of humanity for ten thousand years. Granted there should be a period of innocence before kids are exposed to it, but treating it like a sex act just boggles my mind. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Big Brother is Watching You... kindjie 2006-04-12 06:14 pm UTC (link)
	Yeah, as opposed to sex which has only been a part of humanity for... ever. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Big Brother is Watching You... -

getwellgamer, 2006-04-12 06:44 pm UTC

Re: Big Brother is Watching You... -

bigman_k, 2006-04-12 06:45 pm UTC

Re: Big Brother is Watching You... -

brainswarm, 2006-04-12 11:58 pm UTC

Re: Big Brother is Watching You... -

getwellgamer, 2006-04-13 08:15 am UTC

Re: Big Brother is Watching You... -

poet_ninja, 2006-04-13 07:04 pm UTC

Re: Big Brother is Watching You... -

getwellgamer, 2006-04-13 07:42 pm UTC

Re: Big Brother is Watching You... -

fallbackcorpse, 2006-04-13 08:18 pm UTC

	Riddle me this, GPers andrew_eisen 2006-04-12 07:03 pm UTC (link)
	If selling an adult video game to a minor is enough to merit a $5000 fine, why isn’t buying a minor that same game a form of child abuse? Andrew Eisen (Reply to this) (Thread)

Re: Riddle me this, GPers

dustin1986
2006-04-12 07:14 pm UTC (link)

Because, well... ummm.... Damn, this is a really crummy law! It seems to be undamentally flawed in every way. It's a double standard, it's ridiculously harsh, and very difficult to enforce. It really does seem like it will create far more problems than it might solve. Is there really a good chance of this passing? It's almost as bad as when Greece outlawed videogames outright because of some stupid anti-gambling legislation. Why does this keep happening? It can't be that hard to make a competent piece of legislation, can it?

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Riddle me this, GPers -

beardedferret, 2006-04-13 12:54 am UTC

Re: Riddle me this, GPers -

jabrwock, 2006-04-12 07:24 pm UTC

Whowha?

illspirit
2006-04-12 07:51 pm UTC (link)

So, erm, wait a second. Let me get this straight. They're shocked that minors are buying something which is currently rated for minors? Wow. Just wow.

If they don't want minors playing the "worse" games, wouldn't it make more sense to, oh, I dunno, use the bloody R18+ rating on games too?! I mean, since they're already poking the law with a stick, rewriting it and stuff, why not just add that bit in and be done with it?

Oh, right, because games are only for kids. Silly me...

(Reply to this)

Has anybody else ever pondered this...?

semperar
2006-04-12 08:08 pm UTC (link)

Why don't retailers ever organize BY rating, seeing as that's what critics want to dwell on?

As in, organize by rating first and THEN alphabetize. Similarly, look at stores like Toys R Us. They don't sell R-rated movies... should they really be selling M-rated games?

We want to enforce the message that games aren't toys, right? They should be given the same respects and concerns as movies. I think some realism is needed in approaching that.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Has anybody else ever pondered this...? andrew_eisen 2006-04-12 08:11 pm UTC (link)
	We want to enforce the message that games aren't toys, right? No, just that not all games are for children. There is such a thing as adult toys. Andrew Eisen (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Has anybody else ever pondered this...? -

fuzzymoogle, 2006-04-12 09:02 pm UTC

So where does this put Castlevania?

otakuman
2006-04-12 08:09 pm UTC (link)

Well, this is a big blow to the video game industry in the land of aussies.

I have little doubt that this kind of ruling will die out at some point when people realize the ridiculousness of it all.

People think that games are all sex and violence and that people are forgetting their moral values through games.

Ladies and Gents, I give you: CASTLEVANIA!!!

The latest Castlevania games for PS2 (and recently XBox as well) have been rated M in the USA, and that leads me to believe that they are rated MA-15 in Australia as well. Yet, why is Castlevania rated M?

Well to be blunt, it has a bit to do with religious depiction and the gory renditions of creatures such as zombies and the like (not to mention their death sequences when defeated).

Yet, think about this: You are not trying to spread evil and corruption across the world. You are trying to STOP it!

The characters you control are themselves religious and seek to fight evil in its many monstrous incarnations. You fight on the SIDE of religion against the monsters of myth and legend. You use items such as a rosario to purge the screen of monsters, and go against demons from hell. (Some non-descript, others specific, such as Malacoda or Legion) Some of these demons are STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BIBLE! Legion is a demon that possessed a man who was later cured by Jesus.

And yet, those who claim moral and religious right are wanting to put a game where you fight against "dark" forces in an adults only section.

GOOD MOVE! (Sarcasm!)

I mean next thing you know, all R rated movies, such as Brokeback Mountain, Crash, or so will be sitting next to Back Door Sluts 9 in the porn collection, because the lawmakers won't be able to see the difference.

Me, I won't argue. I won't complain. I've got bigger fish to fry, and I take solice in this:

These people are going to die before I do. I'll be seeing the reverse changes before they do (most likely), and if they are still alive when laws are ruled unconstitutional, overturned, or whatever, I have one word to say to them:

FACE!

(Note, I am not implying that I wish for hurried deaths upon lawmakers nor making threats upon them. I'm just saying that there will be a time when all people die, and since the lawmakers are older than me, it is reasonable to assume they will die before me due to natural causes. And if you really need to read this disclaimer to truly understand that this was what I meant, then YIKES!)

So go kill some zombies, demons, devils, and the like. And if you think knowing about demons, devils, goblins, and ghouls makes me an evil person... then riddle me this:

If simply KNOWING about demons and devils is a bad thing, then how come they are in the Bible? After all, that's where a good many come from. :)

Speaking of which, here is a list of some demons and monsters found in the Bible and Castlevania:

Abaddon - Job 26:6; Proverbs 15:11; and Revelation 9:11
Beelzebub - 2 Kings 1.2-3,6,16; Mark 3.22 (and more)
Behemoth - Book of Job 40:15-24
Leviathan - Psalms 74:13-14; Job 41; Isaiah 27:1
Lilith - Isaiah 34:14
Rahab - Isaiah 51:9-11

This is not counting other monsters and demons based on literature that is based on Christianity. Malacoda, Scarmiglione, Rubicante, Barbariccia, Draghignazzo, and Cagnazzo are all devils that reside in hell according to Dante's "Divine Comedy", and I believe found in the section best known as "Dante's Inferno".

I can not imagine the religious right having anything wrong with fighting the above mentioned demons in a game, so to me, it seems like something screwy is going on around here.

Comments? Questions? Rants? Complaints?

~Otaku-Man

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: So where does this put Castlevania? jabrwock 2006-04-12 09:18 pm UTC (link)
	It might just get rated M. MA15+ has legal restrictions, M does not. M is kinda in between PG & MA15+... (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: So where does this put Castlevania? -

otakuman, 2006-04-12 09:59 pm UTC

Re: So where does this put Castlevania? -

jabrwock, 2006-04-12 10:09 pm UTC

Re: So where does this put Castlevania? -

beacon80, 2006-04-12 11:34 pm UTC

Re: So where does this put Castlevania? -

beardedferret, 2006-04-13 12:44 am UTC

Re: So where does this put Castlevania? -

zippydsmlee, 2006-04-13 01:21 am UTC

Re: So where does this put Castlevania? -

otakuman, 2006-04-13 02:13 am UTC

Re: So where does this put Castlevania? -

beardoggx, 2006-04-13 01:56 am UTC

Re: So where does this put Castlevania? -

otakuman, 2006-04-13 02:14 am UTC

	WTF?! mr_putter 2006-04-12 08:34 pm UTC (link)
	I knew Australia was a censorship capital, but PUTTING HALO 2 IN AN ADULT SECTION?! WHAT ARE AUSTRALIAN POLITICIANS SMOKING!? No offense to all Australian people, just deranged politicians like the guys behind this crap. (Reply to this) (Thread)

Re: WTF?!

beardedferret
2006-04-13 12:46 am UTC (link)

'Censorship capital'?

Admittedly we've banned games in the past, but jeez... That's a bit harsh.

Also, to clear up, the legislation doesn't stipulate a sealed, separate adult section like you'd find in a porn store.

85A. Display of MA 15+ computer games or containers
A person must not display in a public place —
(a) a computer game classified MA 15+; or
(b) the container, wrapping or casing for a computer game classified MA 15+,
with the intention of selling or supplying the computer game except in an area of the public place set aside by that person and conspicuously identified, as an area for the display of computer games, or containers, wrapping or casings for computer games, with that classification.
Penalty: $500.

Pretty straightforward, I thought.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: WTF?! -

mr_putter, 2006-04-13 01:01 am UTC

Re: WTF?! -

pyrrhus9588, 2006-04-13 06:20 am UTC

	battlefield 2 nitkin1 2006-04-12 08:58 pm UTC (link)
	it is rated teen, it wont be in the adult section. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: battlefield 2 beardedferret 2006-04-13 12:47 am UTC (link)
	Rated MA in Australia, I believe. You remember Australia, right? You know we're not the 53rd state? (Reply to this) (Parent)

tabor_tooth
2006-04-12 09:17 pm UTC (link)

"Both the Liberal and Green parties collaborated in passing the measure. Legislator Barbara Scott said of the new law, 'At the moment, a child can go in (to a game shop) with their care taker or babysitter or parent. There's no problem with that person, an adult hiring (an MA-15 game) or buying it, but this measure will now at least make that adult be aware that the contents are not appropriate for young children.'

So why doesn't the parent, gardian, babysitter, care taker do there responsability an make sure what the child is not suppost to have or want the parent/gardian doesn't want there child playing. It's not that hard and there is no government nessisary. I know this has been stressed many times on GP but it seems like it always has to be restaited every single time some politician wants to push a gaming law.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

beardedferret
2006-04-13 12:51 am UTC (link)

Because it's not that simple. If it was, every parent I've ever seen come up to my counter with an MA rated game would have walked away without it.

Some parents don't understand the content. This is because they are stupid.
Some parents don't care about the content. This is because they are stupid.
Some parents know about the content, but because the kid has played it at a friend's house, they buy it anyway. This is because they are stupid.
Some parents aren't involved at all. The kids grab older people off the street and make them buy the game. The people who willingly do this for a kid they've never met before... Are stupid.

On the other hand, some parents understand the content, understand that their kid is emotionally mature enough to deal with it, and let me know. This is because they are not stupid.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

FFS (this coming from an Aussie...)

pg450
2006-04-12 10:41 pm UTC (link)

Hey all. Long time reader, first time poster.

Firstly, we gamers campaigned long and hard (well, we wrote letters and emails... That's hard work... Isn't it..?) for a change in ratings. We finally got our wish and thus, R18+ for games was born. This seemed like a great victory for gamers "down under" as it seemed our GTA's and such wouldn't be edited or banned outright... More than a year has passed. Number of games rated R: 0. Are our games still being edited and banned: Yes.

Now I hear about this story, and I almost vomit in disgust. Even though it doesn't affect me personally (I live in a different state), it's a bloody step backward. If you want an adults only section, maybe you should rate some games R first, as that would make sense. Seeming as 18 is the age of consent here, meaning it's pretty much the age of adulthood, wouldn't that make R rated games the real "adults only" games? I'm 15, and last time i checked, I wasn't considered to be an adult...

These kind of people need to get their act together. We asked for a ratings change so we wouldn't rely on a poor version of the american system, but that's exactly what we have, even after getting the changes we desired. First plan of action would be to scrap this bill. Secondly, we need to implement the R rating like we campaigned for. Lastly, people need to wake up to themselves and realise how stupid they are. Games are not tools of the Devil. They are no more evil than a movie or book.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: FFS (this coming from an Aussie...) jabrwock 2006-04-12 10:51 pm UTC (link)
	We finally got our wish and thus, R18+ for games was born. First off, welcome! I'm confused, the oflc website still says that R18+/X18+ doesn't apply to software/games. Was this change official, or did they just "promise to look into it..." (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: FFS (this coming from an Aussie...) -

pg450, 2006-04-13 06:07 am UTC

Re: FFS (this coming from an Aussie...) -

nigel_aus, 2006-04-13 06:32 am UTC

Re: FFS (this coming from an Aussie...) -

hilaryduffgta, 2006-04-12 10:53 pm UTC

Re: FFS (this coming from an Aussie...) -

plufim, 2006-04-13 05:40 am UTC

EDIT -

pg450, 2006-04-13 06:20 am UTC

Re: FFS (this coming from an Aussie...) -

fallbackcorpse, 2006-04-13 08:20 pm UTC

GamePolitics Missed the Big Point

nigel_aus
2006-04-12 11:46 pm UTC (link)

Actually the really scary part of this legislation (at least in its proposal) which is commented on by the ABC news section is the fact that MA rated games have to be "polybagged". They cannot be displayed publicly, whether they be the actual game or even one of those dogey EB boxes. The fine for this is $500. So it pretty well forces MA rated game to be the same as R rated magazines or X rated movies. R rated movied dont need to be polybagged but MA rated games do.

This is the crazy part of the legislation. The MA restrictions are federally enforcable so just having WA's legislation on top of it is pretty well redundant.

I'm tempted to start a form letter for R rated games to be sent to all politicans, if anyone is interested LMK and I might do it over easter.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: GamePolitics Missed the Big Point thefremen 2006-04-13 12:03 am UTC (link)
	When I saw your subject line I thought "oh jeez, now here's jack telling us how great this is...". It's really quite rediculous, someone could have a copy of "Waterworld" out in public view, but not Manhunt? (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: GamePolitics Missed the Big Point -

hilaryduffgta, 2006-04-13 12:05 am UTC

Re: GamePolitics Missed the Big Point -

thefremen, 2006-04-13 04:28 am UTC

Re: GamePolitics Missed the Big Point -

pyrrhus9588, 2006-04-13 06:00 am UTC

Re: GamePolitics Missed the Big Point -

hilaryduffgta, 2006-04-13 09:00 am UTC

Re: GamePolitics Missed the Big Point -

nigel_aus, 2006-04-13 01:24 am UTC

	Just Noticed Something seifd 2006-04-13 12:18 am UTC (link)
	Game Politics doesn't have any of Australia's laws on it's Frappr. Any reason for this? (Reply to this)

A Couple of Points

beardedferret
2006-04-13 12:37 am UTC (link)

Sigh... I had a post all written out, then my house had a power surge and my computer and modem crapped out. Here we go again.

First, the ABC News story linked by GP is regrettably inaccurate. It has been illegal in Western Australia and indeed every state in Australia (to the best of my knowledge) to sell MA rated games to kids since at least 1996 - in WA, the Censorship Act 1996 took care of that. The Amendment passed in WA last week changed a lot of the wording in the original legislation to better reflect today's ratings terminology. ABC, 7 News and several other news sources have in fact been sensationalising legislation over a decade old. Nicely done. For the guy above me, this is why no Australion legislation is in the Frappr. It's already taken care of.

Secondly, as another guy pointed out, the fine for displaying an MA game with non-MA games is $500. I have emailed Barbara Scott asking a couple of questions, including wondering what happens and who foots the bill if a customer moves an MA game from one shelf to the other. No reply as yet. I'll keep GP posted.

My personal view on the WA legislation is positive. Anything that gets parents more aware of what sort of games they're buying for their children is good in my book. It'll certainly reduce the amount of time Western Australian retail guys will have to spend telling some moronic woman exactly why her 9 year old shouldn't be playing San Andreas. We're not cutting into free speech with this, we're just setting up better educational tools.

Australia has no R18+ rating for games. The OFLC won't and have never allowed it. This is why it is illegal to buy and sell Manhunt, the original San Andreas and GTA3, The Guy Game and Leisure Suit Larry in Australia, to name a few.

Finally, in response to the 'Australia you lose' posts I've seen, please consider the differences between Australia and America before you post in future. Australia has no First Amendment and no protected Free Speech, and we're quite happy this way. I certainly feel that my rights are very well protected, and my personal view is that Australia is one of the best countries in the world in terms of personal freedoms.

I have been courteous in researching American laws and culture before posting on GP about American legislation and the like. I would ask that all of you do the same before posting about Australia. We're not America, we don't behave like you guys. Please bear that in mind before mourning free speech in Australia, because I can assure you all that it is alive and well.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

Re: A Couple of Points

jabrwock
2006-04-13 01:24 am UTC (link)

Secondly, as another guy pointed out, the fine for displaying an MA game with non-MA games is $500. I have emailed Barbara Scott asking a couple of questions, including wondering what happens and who foots the bill if a customer moves an MA game from one shelf to the other. No reply as yet. I'll keep GP posted.

Please do! :)

Actually, I looked that up myself when we were checking this out. The $500 fine is the "modified" fine, basically what the fine turns into if you pay it early... like a parking ticket. If it goes to court, you could end up footing the entire $5,000.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: A Couple of Points -

beardedferret, 2006-04-13 02:54 am UTC

Re: A Couple of Points -

jabrwock, 2006-04-13 05:08 am UTC

Re: A Couple of Points -

zippydsmlee, 2006-04-13 01:25 am UTC

Re: A Couple of Points -

nigel_aus, 2006-04-13 06:34 am UTC

Stupid government...

speckman
2006-04-13 12:54 am UTC (link)

You never think it'll happen to you, and then... BOOM. Right in my home state. Ah well, I'm fifteen anyway.

I find it ironic that, although the Australian government has no R18+ category, most games that can't be sold to people under 17 elsewhere can be sold to me at 15 here.

Oh, and apparently Hot Coffee was bad enough to have GTA banned, while God of War gets through okay. And Narc glorifies drug use... yeah...

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Stupid government... hilaryduffgta 2006-04-13 12:56 am UTC (link)
	yes its a tad bit strange about gta getting banned and god of war having nudity in it but hey no one mentions that. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Stupid government... -

beardedferret, 2006-04-13 12:58 am UTC

Bullshit -

hilaryduffgta, 2006-04-13 01:02 am UTC

Re: Bullshit -

beardedferret, 2006-04-13 01:09 am UTC

Re: Bullshit -

hilaryduffgta, 2006-04-13 01:19 am UTC

Re: Stupid government... -

beardedferret, 2006-04-13 12:56 am UTC

Re: Stupid government... -

speckman, 2006-04-13 01:10 am UTC

Re: Stupid government... -

nigel_aus, 2006-04-13 06:27 am UTC

Re: Stupid government... -

pyrrhus9588, 2006-04-13 12:48 pm UTC

Ouch

zippydsmlee
2006-04-13 01:08 am UTC (link)

All I can say is OUCH ,the fact they refuse to see this as a legitimate entertainment for adults must be insanely fustrating for them,it seems thier politions have a nice strangle hold oh the law and nothing can be done as of yet to deal with this,its one thing to ban Larry and the man game but to add what would eqaule a R moive is plain silly and one sided,speaking of baning how do they treat porn is it a banned entertainment?
Please this wishy washy one sidedness needs to be stomped out all over the world >

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Ouch beardedferret 2006-04-13 01:12 am UTC (link)
	Porn is fine to buy so long as you're over 18. If there's a sheep involved you need to present a valid New Zealand passport. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Ouch -

zippydsmlee, 2006-04-13 01:17 am UTC

Re: Ouch -

hilaryduffgta, 2006-04-13 01:23 am UTC

Re: Ouch -

zippydsmlee, 2006-04-13 01:51 am UTC

Re: Ouch -

runefirenz, 2006-04-13 04:53 am UTC

Not true censorship

hogibear
2006-04-13 01:12 am UTC (link)

G'day all. Long time reader, (just over a year), first time poster since this is in my neck of the woods.

I live in Perth, which is the capital of Western Australia and here is a my couple of cents.

Offically Australia does not censor anything. But every media form must be rated by by either OFLC (Government body) or a third party trusted by the government, usually only you want to appeal OFLC decisions. The rating are:

G: General
PG: Parental Guidence recommanded
M: Mature Audiences
MA: Mature Audiences restricted to 15+ (Must show photo ID at teh cinema)
R: Adults only
X: As above but only legal in Caberra. (Our political captial. Only civil servants and politicans live there.)
RC: Refused Classification. Illegal to sell or import.

However, video/computer games can not be rated higher than MA. I believer the government only agreed to review the system for games. If this had changed great, but I have not heard any news nor OFLC has updated their web page. :(

I have stuff throw away by Custom because they believe some of my games are above MA. Oh there is a rule that can exempt a piece. If one can prove is "art" or for educational use. Sex education can display explicit sex acts fine and be perfectly legal.

Note the words I used, sell and import. So X rated videos are illegal in all states but not Camberra. I can mail order stuff from Camberra and it will be legal to own here in WA because I did not imported from overseas and it was sold from a place which is legal. My friend has raided pot joints (police) and found lots of hardcore porn, but he said they can not place charges due to the fact they can not prove the origin of the media. They were after drugs anyway.

The only ban/illegal media is child porn, violent sex and real death. (Snuff material). Only one state actual ban stuff and that is Queensland. They have wierd rules there. For thos who don't know Australia, that is the state where the Great Barrier Reef is.

I think the Australia show review the laws, otherwise John Howard (our Prime Minister) should stop telling our troops to fight for "freedom and democary".

NB: Australia is not truely a democratic country. Our Queen is head of state.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Not true censorship beardedferret 2006-04-13 01:14 am UTC (link)
	We do need an R rating for games. It's getting beyond a joke now. I want my Guy Game, damn it. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

we know you want that game but we feel -

hilaryduffgta, 2006-04-13 01:25 am UTC

Re: Not true censorship -

dustin1986, 2006-04-13 02:11 am UTC

Re: Not true censorship -

hogibear, 2006-04-13 03:14 am UTC

Re: Not true censorship -

pyrrhus9588, 2006-04-13 06:32 am UTC

Re: Not true censorship -

zippydsmlee, 2006-04-13 01:32 am UTC

Re: Not true censorship -

fallbackcorpse, 2006-04-13 08:31 pm UTC

Re: Not true censorship -

hogibear, 2006-04-18 12:27 am UTC

	Sex sex sex zippydsmlee 2006-04-13 01:12 am UTC (link)
	Sex is more natrual then beating soemone over the head with a zombies arm,my point,its up to the sosicity to chose whitch is worse,altho it dosent help when they are blind to the simplef act that books and movies are no diffrent. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Sex sex sex zippydsmlee 2006-04-13 01:15 am UTC (link)
	damnit I need to turn off robo forms for here it just messes with to many posts ><,this was to go under Big Brother is Watching You... (Reply to this) (Parent)

Hmm...

catch_33
2006-04-13 02:26 am UTC (link)

As reported by ABC News, the state's Government's Censorship Amendment Bill makes it a crime to sell or rent MA-15-rated games to minors.

Hmm. That appears to be roughly the equivalent of making it illegal to sell a Teen-rated game to a teen. Good job there fuckers.

Both the Liberal and Green parties collaborated in passing the measure.

Nothing brings opposing forces together like Vote Fishing season.

Legislator Barbara Scott said of the new law, "At the moment, a child can go in (to a game shop) with their care taker or babysitter or parent. There's no problem with that person, an adult hiring (an MA-15 game) or buying it, but this measure will now at least make that adult be aware that the contents are not appropriate for young children."

And the labeling doesn't do that? What kind of morons does she think her fellow citizens are?

Regarding a requirement to segregate MA15 games, Aussie GP'er Alex Morris told us, "As far as I'm aware this is unprecedented in Australia. It's a bit of a tough deal for retailers like EB, who like discounting stuff heavily and throwing lots copies of the same game on tables for customers to browse. That won't be possible any more."

Not sure how I feel about that.

Violations can result in a fine of up to $5,000.

Well, it's better than $15,000 I guess.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

Re: Hmm...

beardedferret
2006-04-13 02:58 am UTC (link)

"Hmm. That appears to be roughly the equivalent of making it illegal to sell a Teen-rated game to a teen. Good job there fuckers."

That would definately be the case if this was America. However, Australia is not America and our ratings are different. MA-15 plus is the essentially same as your 17+ rating, not your Teen rating. Get your facts straight before you fucking start swearing.

"And the labeling doesn't do that? What kind of morons does she think her fellow citizens are?"

It's equally moronic to assume that every single citizen (or even the majority) are going to pay attention to the rating 100% of the time.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Hmm... -

catch_33, 2006-04-13 03:15 am UTC

Oh on Barbara Scotts quote

nigel_aus
2006-04-13 03:21 am UTC (link)

Also to add on Barbara Scott's quote. It just shows how out of touch she is with game retailing. I'm not under 15, but I have had friends who worked in game stores and I have regularly over heard clerks. When parents buy games for kids and its obvious that this is the case, I have regularly heard the clerk say "You do realise this game is rated for over 15's". I have seen parents hurl abuse back at the retailer (things like "How dare you raise my kids"), or just say "its only a game". So part of the problem is parental education (my father took an interest in my gaming even though he hates it), which is probably a greater problem than sales at retail.

As for the comment in labelling, the current labelling system is extremely clear, as it is the same for the movies as it is in games. Its never been so clear (its colour coded too), so I dont think she is really in touch.

As for Alex's comment. I dont think its a problem apart from the display of games which wouldn't matter where it is in the store. The Violation comment under it is misleading, the fines for that are only $500, not $5,000. There is still the sales check at the POS in the majority of stores, so the games should not be sold to children no matter how they are displayed.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

Re: Oh on Barbara Scotts quote

beardedferret
2006-04-13 06:46 am UTC (link)

It's amazing how many people will flock to a table full of discounted items. Unfortunately this won't be true for some items in WA in the future.

The problem isn't kids buying games in Australia. It's parents either not caring, not being intelligent enough or being tricked by their kids into buying MA games. Sometimes, even us mighty register biscuits are powerless to get past their defences. :)

Alex Morris

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Oh on Barbara Scotts quote -

nigel_aus, 2006-04-14 12:53 am UTC

	plufim 2006-04-13 05:48 am UTC (link)
	It is illegal in every state of Australia to sell or rent MA games to someone under 15 already. (Reply to this)

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