The period of public consultation on the issue of whether Australia should have an R18+ rating for videogames is drawing to a close. You have until February 28 to make a submission. Many Kotaku readers already have, and we’re going to share them with you.
Last week we asked you to send us your submission to encourage your fellow Kotaku readers to have their say as well. We said we’d publish your closing 250-word comments. So for the rest of the week we’ll be highlighting some of the best in individual posts.
The first comes from Robert Tilt, who wrote:
Whilst there have been various arguments against an R18+ rating for video games, none seem to cater for the fact that this does not include any game over an MA15+ rating. If a game has content that is considered inappropriate for consumption, it can still be warranted an RC.
An R18+ rating is not just advantageous for adults willing to buy or play games in that rating, but it assists anybody who is associated with a ‘gamer’, who influences the gamers video game choices. Whilst the MA15+ rating is a fair warrant of strong content, there are many examples of video games which would be better suited in an R18+ rating that is inappropriate for the 15-18 year age bracket.
An R18+ rating for video games would also allow stronger control on restricting access to content within that rating. This is evident in other media, such as film and especially literature, where the proprietor of such media uses age verification before distribute this content (which is only occasionally enforced with the MA15+ rating).
Finally, the introduction of an R18+ rating for video games can integrate into the content restrictions already available on current generation platforms. These platforms already have a standard equivalent to an R18+ rating (such as Parental Control Level 9 on the Playstation 3). If video game distribution for R18+ games follow other media with this rating, then purveyors of this material will be better informed, and the material will be more accurately rated.
In case you’re yet to state your case, here’s how to do it.
The call for public consultation (AG.gov.au)
The Bond University Interactive Australia report (for helpful research insights)
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