Developer: No R18+ games classification costing the industry heavily
- 15 December, 2009 15:55
- Comments 16
The continued lack of an R18+ rating for video games will cost the local industry dearly in both its legitimacy and on the balance sheet, according to a local developer.
Nnooo is a small, Sydney-based developer that specialises in digitally-distributed games and software for Nintendo consoles and the iPhone.
In an open letter to the Attorney-General of South Australia, Michael Atkinson, who continually opposed the introduction of an R18+ rating, Nnooo creative director, Nic Watt, said he was disappointed there was not yet an adult’s only rating.
“It appears, to me, to be somewhat contradictory to allow both television and film to be rated against a wider range of ratings than video games are,” Watt said in the letter.
The lack of such a rating was taking a heavy toll on the industry, Watt argues in the letter. He cited losses from shipping costs, retail income, GST and marketing.
Australia’s increasing isolation in the global community - most other developed nations allow R18+ or equivalent games - could mean Australian games developers are eventually marginalised by international publishers who consider Australia a backwater with 1970s attitudes, Watt said.
He encouraged the public to take advantage of The Minister for Home Affairs, Senator Brendan O’Connor’s efforts to get public opinion with the discussion paper, titled Should the Australian National Classification Scheme Include An 18+ Classification Category For Computer Games?.
All of Australia's attorney-generals need to consent to a new rating.
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Comments
Anonymous
Get on that discussion paper and be heard
Ok boys and girls - you won't get a chance like this again, So get busy and submit your thoughts. Even the industry is trying to help us.
We have all whinged and whined for a change, so take 5 minutes out of MW2 (before they ban that) and make a good case. Keep it clean and clear.
We want this rating.
nathan walton
R + Rating Cames
This Michael Atkinson must be such a Turd. What gives him the right to tell me what video games I can and cant play. I consider my self a normal 30 year old Australian male. Got a job, Mortage and a family. I love Video Games Especially Violent ones. My dollar will have to go to other countries where I can buy Adult games on line.
Just cos the kids teased him at school cos he was crap playing Donky Kong, does'nt mean he should ruin it for everybody.
Another Anonymous
Thats not enough...
Thats not enough, we got to send a clear and concise message to these fascists in government, that we will not tollerate censorship. Michael Atkinson and Stephen Conroy need to be removed from government; off with their heads I say. Failing that, lets just vote them out at the next election.
A Game Industry Veteran
We need an R+ Rating
His argument (this wowser SA Attorney General Michael Atkinson) that "Games are more affective" (meaning, they "affect" people who play them more) than Audiences watching Movies - is outrageous.
Clearly, he's never heard of Aristotle's Theory of Catharsis (and if you know when Aristotle lived, this is NOT a `new' theory)...
- Does he want to ban books as well? If not he's utterly inconsistent.
How many people have died because of a book over history: The Bible/s, Das Kapital, Mein Kampf, Alan Greenspan's Memoirs, etc)? Millions and millions.
How many people have died because of Games? About 100. And it can;t bedirectly related to Games either. Yes, those people played games but also read books, too. The reason they did a Columbine massacre, etc, wasn't JUST because they played a game, it was because they were socially isolated weirdos. Games more than ever, now promote healthy social interaction. (Look at the top selling games. They are social games)
And how many have died because of movies? About 100. So should we ban the R rating for movies too? (No you idiot, we shouldn't. Wait until I finish my point. you kneejerk moron)
The Godfather (film) got an R rating. It's also a piece of literature. Shall we ban that?
Get over yourself Michael Atkinson. Get REAL...
The reason you are providing for blocking this R rating is ludicrous.
Stop being ludicrous.
You are making us all very very very angry.
Stop it!!!!
I predict: soon, given how these things go, like the Tiger Woods games with the golf club and the car, somebody will make a Flash game - about a rabid, angry FPS-gamer shooting you Michael. (As a bad-taste joke, obviously.)
Then, some crazy person (who probably hasn't played the game) will read the Bible or Koran, and perhaps go out and kill people at random.
You might be that random person.
Ever consider that? Huh?
Then they will link the game to you dying.
Then - we'll never get the stupid R rating.
And that will be even more annoying and you'll be astupid martyr.
So, the longer you delay this, the more you increase your chances of making this situation worse, Michael Atkinson.
We live in a chaotic, stressful world.
Games help people blow off steam.
Sheesh.
Now I need to go play some violent FPS games. Now you've got me all worked up.
Michael Atkinson, remember when "A Clockwork Orange" came out? Did gangs go out imitating them?
Well, as it happens yes, but they were idiots. If Kubrick had never made the movie (and he did it becuase he has a social conscience, doofus!) They would have read it in the book and done the same thing.
You don't seem to know how the world works Michael Atkinson. Go do a Communications Degree. Read some Sociology and Media Studies.
Wake the hell up. And back the hell down.
Stop being so stupid and just let us have the stupid R+ Rating.
What the hell is wrong with you????
Sean B
Just sent one
Just sent a submission, unfortunatly I fall into the category of 20 something male gamer and so fear my post will be lost, but if it gets through Id like to think I've made a difference. :)
PS. Between this and the announcement of an internet filter I cant help but feel we'll get left behind technologically and future goverments will pay a massive price. :(
Anonymous
The lack of a R18+ rating is hurting Australian economy by
forcing gamers(Adults because that what the average games is.) to order games in from other countries so they can buy the full game. Not some overly censored piece of plastic that only a few people would play and then the end result will be them using it as a coaster, and then go and buy the game overseas.
Also why don't we have a R18+ rating it would solve a lot of issues, considering that anything that has that rating you NEED ID. to be able to play, watch or enjoy.
So give us our R18+ rating as well as all the legal issues that go with it.
Also why the constant reply saying that kids will play them and we can let that happen, when did kids become the backbone of the industry, recent surveys(And non resent ones) state that the average age of gamers is 30 so why don't we have the rating.
By that same argument you say that people are not allowed to have cars because children could drive them.
OK some people may not be ready for some of the content that might be in the games that would come out. But that's why we wait until there 18 before letting them do things like drink alcohol, drive a car, vote or smoke. These things we have granted them for there maturity so why restrict them again.
Anonymous
I agree with the post above me
We want this rating.
Lowl
Atkinson is a clueless redneck.
Anonymous
R 18+
The internet filter
No R+ rating for games
Next the government is going to put cameras in the bedrooms of Australia to catch us at something.
The biggest wankers are in Canberra.
Therefore that will not be legislated against yet.
Marco
MA15+ Games Are A waste of time!
I have bought many games in my time, and guess what?
i returned them, boring censored bullshit.
I want the real deal and so do all my fellow gaming m8's.
Michael Atkinson you have issues, pull your finger out of it please and then smell it.
As a 27 year old ,It should be my right to be able to buy 18+ games not yours.
Anonymous
R18+
I think the comment from yesterday sums it up. You guys sound socially isoloated and somewhat weird. To be playing that stuff, obviously you have some social deficiencies. I'm more than happy that we do not have easy access to this stuff. The more difficult it is to get, the better off society will be. Many different societies that have had no censorship are now finding that their society is much worse off and are now looking to bring in greater controls. Keep this stuff out of the country any way possible!
Anonymous
R 18+
Consdiering we're part of an alliance with the US and UK it's not far off according to this:
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/08/britain-to-put-cctv-cameras-inside-private-homes/
Britain has a village rigged up and watching everyone, if you're a good dog, it's okay, if not, immediate reprimands are enacted.
Yeah we live in a civilised world...my backside!
Anonymous
Get on that discussion paper and be heard
If you've looked at the document, it is more a data collection form, maybe to check out who the trouble-makers may be down the track.
A little while ago I visited the CIA website to check out the world book,(information on all the countries/population/resources and production etc around the world), only to later find out that they had set a somewhat permanent cookie against my ISP/IP/Location etc.
This cookie will last until 2050!! What the ...? All I wanted to know was what's going on in the world...
Anonymous
GIGO Garbage in Garbage Out - no R rating
Three Cheers for Michael, At least some sense still remains in our politicians - the violent depraved spoilt brat brigade would put every degradation known to many in an interactive format so they can get their kicks and possibly graduate to something worse.
Another Anonymous
"Three Cheers for Michael, At least some sense still remains in our politicians - the violent depraved spoilt brat brigade would put every degradation known to many in an interactive format so they can get their kicks and possibly graduate to something worse."
You tit, this rating doesn't mean more violent or depraved games get in. But rather, games get classified accordingly. There's been very little games refused classification, most get shoehorned into the MA15 category. If anything this protect children as it would be legally enforced and serve as a warning to parents.
Go get an education and never speak your opinions out aloud ever again you fool.
Anonymous
Ok, I will try to improve my <a href="http://www.superiorpapers.com">research paper</a>, hope it'll keep it nice.
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