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.
wombat
April 1, 2009 at 9:25 AM
April fools guys. I call Bull**** on this one.
Report PermalinkSam
April 1, 2009 at 9:25 AM
I think this one is a little too obvious.
Report PermalinkMR. Smith
April 1, 2009 at 9:25 AM
WTF!
Report PermalinkHotDamn!
April 1, 2009 at 9:25 AM
Happy April Fools, David.
Report PermalinkKent Dempsey
April 1, 2009 at 9:27 AM
Oh hah hah… This one didn’t fool me for a second.
Report PermalinkOdin
April 1, 2009 at 9:27 AM
April Fools
Report PermalinkPete
April 1, 2009 at 9:28 AM
lol. April Fools.
Report PermalinkDale Miller
April 1, 2009 at 9:28 AM
I call April Fools.
Report Permalinkbobb
April 1, 2009 at 9:29 AM
APRIL FOOLS
Report PermalinkElfin Glade
April 1, 2009 at 9:30 AM
If it was any other day than April 1st, Mr. Wildgoose, then I’d be purchasing tickets to go and live in a different country.
As it IS April 1st, I’ll have a laugh that you caught me out instead.
Report PermalinkDsome
April 1, 2009 at 9:30 AM
I call kotaku’s bluff…. happy april fools :D
Report PermalinkMidda
April 1, 2009 at 9:30 AM
Geez, how could they do this?! And on April 1st, of all days?!
I expected more, guys! :P
Report Permalinkdartmerc
April 1, 2009 at 9:31 AM
I almost threw up, until I saw the date and missing source for the info.
Report PermalinkRUFiO
April 1, 2009 at 9:34 AM
APRIL FOOLS!
Report PermalinkMeepers
April 1, 2009 at 9:35 AM
God i love April 1st lol
Report PermalinkMr Noobetsky
April 1, 2009 at 9:35 AM
HAH… nice April fools joke. almost had me.
Report PermalinkVooDoo
April 1, 2009 at 9:35 AM
i was like huh? surely some one was drunk making this article, then i check my clock/date and i ‘oh’
Report PermalinkAsh
April 1, 2009 at 9:35 AM
lol took me a bit to realise it was APRIL FOOLS!
Report PermalinkMivilicious
April 1, 2009 at 9:36 AM
can you smell an april fools joke?? i can lol
Report Permalinkalidan
April 1, 2009 at 9:36 AM
This better fucking be April fools, or I’ll go revolution on their ass
Report PermalinkBeefy
April 1, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Surely you can come up with a better AFD gag than that… :)
Report PermalinkBeerin
April 1, 2009 at 9:37 AM
LOL nice april fools joke that one.
Report Permalinkkn0taro
April 1, 2009 at 9:37 AM
har har.
Report PermalinkBennyL
April 1, 2009 at 9:38 AM
Remind me what date today is? ;)
Report Permalinkjames c
April 1, 2009 at 9:42 AM
oh very farny…
veeeery farny.
you had me for a sec.
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