David Braue15 December 2009, 11:51 PM
The government giveth, and the government taketh away. Today saw the foisting of internet censorship on the Australian public, but also opening of discussions on R18+ games.
It could disadvantage some segments of the community and lead to an explosion of smut-filled video games, but the introduction of an R18+ classification is finally on the table after gamers got an early Christmas present from the government this week.
After years of fruitless discussion and lobbying for a censorship rating that would amend the National Classification Scheme (NCS) to offer an R18+ classification for adult-oriented computer games, the government this week kicked off a formal review process with the release of a formal discussion paper to canvass public opinion on the subject.
ABOVE: F.E.A.R. 2 - one of the graphically violent games that simply couldn't be released in Australia because it couldn't fit into an M15+ rating, and there were no ratings higher than that other than refused classification.
The lack of an R18+ classification has been a point of contention for some time, since Australia is the world's only jurisdiction that applies ratings to computer games but does not offer an R rating for games. Under the current National Classification Scheme (NCS), bans are enforced on any game with content judged to be more objectionable than that which is permissible under the MA15+ rating.
Relatively arbitrary application of this requirement has seen the banning of several high-profile games in recent months, with games like Left 4 Dead 2, Grand Theft Auto IV, Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude, Postal 2, Manhunt, and others among the victims of Australia's ratings system. Many games are edited to reduce the level of sadistic violence or other objectionable material, often resulting in watered-down local equivalents to games that are released under an adults-only rating overseas.
The current enquiry invites public submissions on the issue through 28 February – and is quick to point out that there will be no video game equivalent to the X18+ rating for sexually explicit movies, and that the Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games criteria will not be modified as a result of this discussion.
With around ten weeks for submissions to be lodged, the timeline could well have the new rating in place – if it is overwhelmingly supported – in time for next year's Christmas buying season.
Amendments to the NCS require unanimous support by a number of statutory authorities, several of whom have been reluctant to stand behind the rating. However, the very release of the discussion paper shows that could be changing: "The Ministers responsible for censorship have considered the issue of an adult classification for computer games on a number of occasions," the paper explains. "Before the Ministers consider the matter further, it is timely to consider the views of the community."
The wording of the discussion paper (read it here) has been carefully tweaked to provide a balanced opinion on the subject, expressing both pro and anti-R18+ arguments. Among the highlights of those arguments:
- Today's video games are more sophisticated and film-like than they were when the NCS was introduced in 1996.
- Protecting minors from harmful material is more important than the principle "that adults should be free to read, hear and see what they want."
- Research into the effect of violent computer games is "polarised".
- Introducing an R18+ category could increase the volume of material that is unsuitable for minors, increasing their exposure to such materials.
- A putative lack of understanding of NCS ratings by many adults has already led to cases where children are being exposed to inappropriate materials.
- Since very few games have enough violent content to warrant an R18+ rating, "the introduction of an R18+ category is only an argument of principle."
- Providing an adults-only rating would provide consistent guidelines for local games developers developing games for overseas markets.
- An R18+ classification would decrease piracy as local gamers could buy uncensored versions of games rather than downloading or importing them.
- Adding an R18+ classification would clarify the importance of the even more severe RC (refused classification) rating, since many games that are currently rated RC would fit the requirements.
What do you think? Is an R18+ category overdue? Or will it glorify violence and other inappropriate content to minors?