Australian censorship ministers met yesterday to discuss changes to our classification system for video games. While many within the industry and gaming community were optimistic this would see the introduction of an R18+ rating, it appears those hopes have been cruelly dashed.
The Standing Committee of Attorneys-General have agreed in principle to remove the M and MA categories, meaning the highest rating now allowed under the new classification system will PG. All games released in Australia will need to meet the requirements to be suitable for gamers aged 12 and above.
A spokesperson for the Attorneys-General Department said the decision was made with a view to protecting children and vulnerable adults from potentially harmful interactive content. The spokesperson cited titles such as Halo 3 for its full frontal alien nudity, Dawn of War II for the way it encourages aggressive behaviour, and Blacksite: Area 51 for being, well, crap.
The new classification system will be tabled in Parliament in the coming weeks.
quantocks
April 1, 2009 at 9:03 AM
nice one, David. Zug’s Race Through Space here I come!
Report Permalinkgrim-reapa
April 1, 2009 at 9:03 AM
You bastards had me goin then for a split second. Then I remembered what day it is :P
Report PermalinkGodfather
April 1, 2009 at 9:03 AM
i was outraged until i hit the 2nd paragraph and realised its april 1st. well played.
Report Permalinkraze35
April 1, 2009 at 9:07 AM
wow APRIL FOOLS JOKE FAAAAAIL
Report PermalinkDr_W@dsy
April 1, 2009 at 9:08 AM
Almost posted a real reply, then I remembered something very important about today :)
Nice. Though it is a shame that I have just enough cynicism about our politicians to believe this could actually happen
Report PermalinkDave
April 1, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Nice April fools, you got me for a second then!
Report Permalinkkotaku_oz
April 1, 2009 at 9:10 AM
APRIL FOOL!!!
Report PermalinkMatt Cooper
April 1, 2009 at 9:12 AM
Thankgod for that! i can now protect my children from terrible M games.
:p
Report PermalinkApril fools
Karsaroth
April 1, 2009 at 9:13 AM
I wonder what date it is today?
Report PermalinkKorwin
April 1, 2009 at 9:13 AM
Oh I see what you did there David :P, your not fooling anyone :D
Report PermalinkRook
April 1, 2009 at 9:13 AM
You almost had me. Damn you!
Report PermalinkAd
April 1, 2009 at 9:14 AM
Oh my! Noooes! My violence!!
Oh, wait…this is the day to stay off the internets. Never mind.
Report PermalinkFeralJim
April 1, 2009 at 9:14 AM
It’s all true! I saw it on TV just now. A current affair had a special on about it last night. The children must be protected!
And Halo is – Gross! :O
Report PermalinkThe Gamgee
April 1, 2009 at 9:15 AM
What’s the date again?
Report PermalinkKaz
April 1, 2009 at 9:15 AM
Posted by David Wildgoose at 9:00 AM on April 1, 2009
Report PermalinkDean
April 1, 2009 at 9:16 AM
FINALLY! The children will be safe now.
Report PermalinkTristan
April 1, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Dave, you put the ‘Goose’ into April Fool.
Report PermalinkArmagon
April 1, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Man that sucks! ;)
Report Permalinkcs
April 1, 2009 at 9:18 AM
What do i get for guessing it’s an April fools joke!
Report PermalinkIt better be a joke! (o.O)
Paul P
April 1, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Damn you Wildgoose! Even though I knew full-well it was April Fools you still got me you crafty bastard. Until the alien full-frontal nudity that is…
Report PermalinkEndu
April 1, 2009 at 9:20 AM
It’s nice of the Attorneys General to boost Singapore’s economy like this. Hopefully the incoming cashflow from Australian gamers buying copies of nearly every decent game off eBay since they won’t be allowed to release here will help them improve their health and infrastructure to the point they are considered a first-world country.
Report PermalinkEzyLee
April 1, 2009 at 9:22 AM
Happy April Fools!
Report Permalinkmitch
April 1, 2009 at 9:22 AM
that was the longest 5 minutes of my life, till i checked the calendar.
Report PermalinkSimeon
April 1, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Horrific if true. We can have R movies but not even M games?
Time to buy a PS3 and import everything…
Report Permalinktyson
April 1, 2009 at 9:24 AM
april fools haha
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