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.
SE1Z
April 1, 2009 at 9:43 AM
haha
Report PermalinkNice try ;)
Daz
April 1, 2009 at 9:43 AM
What’s the date today…
Report PermalinkAwsomonium
April 1, 2009 at 9:44 AM
This better be an April Fool’s joke…
Report PermalinkSpastro
April 1, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Oh My. You guys had me.
Report PermalinkI totally forgot it was april fools.
Lol
April 1, 2009 at 9:50 AM
my heart stopped… then i read the comments *phew*
Report PermalinkOscarB
April 1, 2009 at 9:55 AM
I reckon you guys should disable comments and just say that the comments server is having issues to let this one sink in more for those who haven’t logged in to their browsers from work just yet :P
Had me fooled for a good while too.
Report PermalinkPricie
April 1, 2009 at 9:56 AM
This is absolutely pathetic. By having all the classifications available we will be better equipped to protect our children. More classifications will allow games to be better ranked and prevent children from seeing such content. What our governemt need to realise is that Australia actually has Adults, not just children. I am confident that the majority of us are mature enough to make our own decision regarding tha nature of the games we want to play.
Whats next, removing all ratings over PG for movies? Maybe banning driving? We certainly can’t be concidered inteligent enough to operate a motor vehicle if we aren’t able to make up our own mind about gaming.
Shame on you censorship ministers. Stop treating Aussies like children. Allow the adults of this country to think for them selves.
Report PermalinkAstarlia
April 1, 2009 at 10:00 AM
I’m so glad I read the comments or I completely would have missed the april fools part.
Report PermalinkdoubleDizz
April 1, 2009 at 10:12 AM
I jumped on Kotaku this morning LOOKING for the April Fools story haha =D
Report PermalinkJake Power
April 1, 2009 at 10:12 AM
This is no joke. This is FOR REAAAAALZ!
Report PermalinkRukkus
April 1, 2009 at 10:13 AM
My first thought was “err what?”.
My second was “Great, now I might need to move to a different country.”
This is a very cruel joke.
Report PermalinkSquirtle
April 1, 2009 at 10:13 AM
WAH!! Damn it! you had me for a minute! =|
Report Permalinkryan
April 1, 2009 at 10:18 AM
You BASTARD! You really had me going there!
Report PermalinkOld_Skool_Gamer
April 1, 2009 at 10:23 AM
As soon as I saw this I new it was an April fools joke.
Nice try guys but could you try a little harder next year. This was a little too obvious.
Report Permalinkshane p
April 1, 2009 at 10:27 AM
I liked it. Well played
Report PermalinkBob
April 1, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Would be funny if another website reads this article thinking it’s true then posts it’s own piece of news.
Report PermalinkAS IF – Australian Parliament doesn’t work that fast..
Mr Waffle
April 1, 2009 at 10:46 AM
“and Blacksite: Area 51 for being, well, crap.”
I hope this ban is future-proof, to ensure we never suffer this sort of game again.
Report Permalinkeddy96
April 1, 2009 at 10:47 AM
yea when i firt saw this my head almost exploded and i was like wtf!!!!?!!! then i realised it was april fools :(
Report PermalinkCasey
April 1, 2009 at 10:56 AM
And this is exactly the problem today. People thinking they can laud it over everyone else and put their own small minded views into law just because they were voted in on TOTALLY different topics. I know this issue is insignificant to almost the entire population except us gamers, but now its gone too far and this is the consequence. Well I hope the Attorney-General are happy , this just means more copied games coming into Australia.
Report PermalinkDansDans
April 1, 2009 at 11:01 AM
I dont know whats funnier – this April Fools gag or the fact that its clear a few people believed it and are getting so heated up about it! Kotaku is on fire this morning – first this and then Guitar Hero OZ RAWK!! Nice form guys, keep it up :)
Report PermalinkBob
April 1, 2009 at 11:08 AM
LOL PRICIE FELL FOR IT!!!
Report PermalinkLeedz
April 1, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Great April Fools because this could actually happen one day cause our government is that stupid. :-)
Report Permalinkawaiko
April 1, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Heh, nice work. Still could happen though. F—ing Conroy.
Report PermalinkTrent
April 1, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Oh David, you old dog you!
Report PermalinkAaron C
April 1, 2009 at 11:25 AM
:yawn:
It would’ve been funnier if they didn’t post any “joke” at all. April Fools needs to be renamed “April Fail day”.
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