Gamertell

For many years, Australians have faced a difficult situation regarding content in video games. The Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC), Australia‘s ratings board, doesn’t provide a rating for games with mature content. The highest rating for video games provided by the OFLC is “MA15+”, which restricts any content deemed not suitable to anyone under 15.

The current ratings system denies a rating to any game with content deemed not suitable for an “MA15+” rating. Any game in this situation is either submitted to modifications or outright banned. This policy has caused an uproar amongst the gamer community but things might be headed for a change this time around.

The Australian government has just released a paper for public discussion regarding the decision of creating an “R18+” rating for video games. The 14-page document lists the arguments against and in favor of the new rating so that anyone interested can make a decision after hearing both sides of the story. People can submit their opinion by filling out a form so that it can be taken into account for the final decision.

Unfortunately, one of the strongest detractors of this measure is South Australia’s Attorney General, Michael Atkinson. He has been very vocal about this issue and plays an important part in the approval process, so it remains to be seen how much weight does the public opinion carries in the end.

I think this classification is long overdue. The majority of gamers are adults so denying a rating for video games containing themes appealing to them is clearly wrong. I really hope the popular opinion helps in deciding in favor of the new rating, but even if it doesn’t it will at least send a clear message.

Read [The Sydney Morning Herald]  Also read [Shack News] Site [Australian Government]