Australia asks public for R18+ input

By Robert Purchese Published 14 December, 2009

Questionnaire wants citizens' views.

After many controversial game bannings, Australia's Government will finally hear what the public want from their country's media ratings body.

Citizens are being asked to fill out a questionnaire that will help the nation's leaders decide whether Australia should allow an R18+ rating for games, like there is for films.

The document presents arguments for and against a mature game rating. There are the usual "games affect us more than films" and "children will buy them" standpoints, but these are countered with declarations that an R18+ stamp sends a clear and unavoidable message to parents that this is not content for kids.

Deadline for submission is 28th February 2010, at which point results will be correlated and the Nation's State and Federal Attorney Generals will try to come to an agreement on the matter.

Aliens vs. Predator was the most recent game to be deemed to mature with an MA15+ rating and was therefore barred from sale in the region.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (39) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • CaptainFantasm #1 2 years ago

    Anyone else worried that if goes the wrong way then it could lead to similar debates in places that already have a mature rating?

  • Kill_Crazy #2 2 years ago

    No.

  • CaptainFantasm #3 2 years ago

    Good answer.

  • Distributor #4 2 years ago

    Cotton balls and Pink elephants for everyone. No. People should have a choice. Adults should have a choice.
    The system in place should support such a choice and not make the choice for them.

    Selling +18 games to minors is not the fault of the game, but the fault of the system in place. but we know this all too well.
    legislators dont seem to though.

  • sneetch #5 2 years ago

    Not really, CaptainFantasm. Countries that have an 18 or mature rating currently use it and so it's already understood why it's required. Hopefully this will result in an 18+ certification for Australia.

    The fact that they're (effectively) banning games because the MA15+ certificate doesn't suffice should be enough to "prove" they need one.


  • LiveForever #6 2 years ago

    There are pleanty of 12 year olds playing MW2. So do ratings really work?
    The simple answer is no.
    Edited by 3 at 14/12/09 @ 15:58

  • spliffhead #7 2 years ago

    Finally, get a proper rating for grown ups then I have no reason not to emmigrate!

  • LiveForever #8 2 years ago

    MrMarc thats why they dont work. You've said it yourself parents are the problem.

  • Doctor_What #9 2 years ago

    The UK government could do with adertising to parents that many of these games aren't for kids. Parents still buy 18 rated games for 10 year olds - I'm making one, and I don't want kids playing it.

  • gjgjg #10 2 years ago

    Read: 'Aussie goverment finally notices how much revenue they're missing by bannig titles that can be imported, and so when they introduce the 18+ cert they can respond to the nay-sayers (cotten wool parent groups) that we asked you (the public) already and you said it was ok'...

    at least theyre asking the public i guess, one step closer to democracy than most. go freedom

  • sneetch #11 2 years ago

    @LiveForever
    There are pleanty of 12 year olds playing MW2. So do rating reallys work?

    An age rating means you cannot buy or rent the game if you're under the age, it does not mean you can't play it.

    It's there to advise parents that the game may be inappropriate for their child. It's still up to the parents to ensure that they know what their kids are playing.

  • hiddenranbir #12 2 years ago

    I don't understand how the "kids will play them" is an argument against the 18 rating.

    "I'm making one, and I don't want kids playing it."

    Give me.
    Edited by 1 at 14/12/09 @ 16:04

  • sneetch #13 2 years ago

    @LiveForever
    MrMarc thats why they dont work. You've said it yourself parents are the problem.

    Do they prevent children from buying games that are unsuitable for them and at the same time provide parents with a way of telling if a game is unsuitable and why? Yes.

    Do they magically force a parent to care? No.

    They do their job perfectly well.

  • HenryFitz #14 2 years ago

    I wonder if one of these 18 rated games will ever come with the familial equivalent of a boss-key. If I were still a child, I know I'd want to be able to switch quickly from prostitute-murdering to Pippa Longnose's showjumping when mum came around. The subterfuge would also allow parents to feel that the boundaries they had set for their children were clear and fully understood, while simultaneously allowing the children to experience the thrill of doing something forbidden.

  • NegativeZero #15 2 years ago

    @gjgjgj:
    at least theyre asking the public i guess, one step closer to democracy than most. go freedom

    But the decision still requires the full support of all of the state and territory attourney-generals. One of whom is a stubborn, self-righteous religious nutjob who is absolutely convinced of his moral superiority over everyone else and who will categorically refuse to ever support the move. So while this is a nice gesture that will help solidify just how the population feels about it, in the end it's essentially pissing in the wind that will resolve nothing.

    Go freedom. :\

  • ozallez #16 2 years ago

    wow another chance for the gov't to find out what they already know... politicians love an inquiry, or call for submissions, gives the veneer of action without having to actually do much.

  • sneetch #17 2 years ago

    @NegativeZero

    Then maybe it'll be used as a stick against him or as leverage to remove him. Dunno how these things are done in Australia, mind you.

  • freakzilla #18 2 years ago

    If this fails we should send tanks to Australia. It'll be easier than Iraq.

  • Phishfood #19 2 years ago

    Those politicians need an excuse to play Alien vs Predator and this is it. I'm sure they'll manipulate it behind the scenes enough to get the R+18 rating.

  • kupocake #20 2 years ago

    <a href="http:/ /en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolen_Generation">Austra lia: looking out for what's best for children since 1869.</a href>

  • PlugMonkey #21 2 years ago

    The UK government could do with adertising to parents that many of these games aren't for kids. Parents still buy 18 rated games for 10 year olds

    Amen to that.

    I saw one parent be told that GTA IV wasn't suitable for her 10 year-old, to which she replied "It'll be fine. He knows not to repeat any of the words he hears." Absolutely clueless.

  • Toothball #22 2 years ago

    Good luck Australia I guess.

  • DrStrangelove #23 2 years ago

    In Australia, they ask the citizens? That's weird.

  • Nuada #24 2 years ago

    Given that we're talking about the people who voted against establishing a republic and instead chose to keep a foreign monarch as their head of state I'm going to go ahead and call it now: Australia votes against an R18+ certificate ...

  • callum9999 #25 2 years ago

    DrStrangeLove: Before you start putting Australia up on a pedestal for democracy (with the obvious suggestion that the UK isn't), bare in mind the reason Australia doesn't have the 18 rating for games is down to a single man - and this is just a questionaire, not a referendum. The elected person in each state responsible for agreeing to this change has said yes in all but one and they need a unanimous yes to make the change, a 99% majority isn't enough.
    Edited by 2 at 14/12/09 @ 20:18

  • StooMonster #26 2 years ago

    LiveForever: "There are pleanty of 12 year olds playing MW2. So do ratings really work?
    The simple answer is no."

    There are plenty of 12 years olds watching 15 and 18 certificate movies and porn too. So do rating work at all? The simple answer is no.

    So, should we ban all adult entertainment because some irresponsible parents let their children view/play/watch content that is inappropriate for them?

    The simple answer is no.

  • sarcasmoidosis #27 2 years ago

    "The simple answer is no."

    What's the complicated answer? :)

    If a game is rated 18+ and is only bought by 18+ people, then the rating system works. Now, if, incidentally, one of those 18+ people is an idiot that considers that his 12 year old kid needs to see the "No Russian" level from MW2, that's not the fault of the rating system. It's the fault of our genetic system.

  • DevilsNeverCry #28 2 years ago

    'An age rating means you cannot buy or rent the game if you're under the age, it does not mean you can't play it.

    It's there to advise parents that the game may be inappropriate for their child. It's still up to the parents to ensure that they know what their kids are playing'

    What the hell kind of answer is this? An age rating is not there to 'advise parents' it is in place because the law or ruling body deems the game/s unsuitable for anyone under that age to play it. Whilst true it is not illegal for youngsters to play them, it is far more than just parental advice.

    I'd be happy for Australians if they got this, power to the people! However unlikely it is. I'm actually suprised its taken so long for this to come about.

  • Murton #29 2 years ago

    Looks like the Australian Government might be waking up to the fact that they're missing out on millions of dollars of tax revenue each year simply through not having an 18 rating for video games. Of course the main thing to take note of here is that it's a questionnaire, not a referendum. This is essentially a feasibility study to see if how well such a move will be received, with a deadline of end of February it'll be Summer at the earliest before further action is taken and I can see this one going through all the motions, there'll likely be a referendum and eventually a parliamentary vote but at the end of the day there's a reason that Australia hasn't got an 18 rating and that's because their parliament has never agreed to there being a need for one, is that likely to change in the coming year? Looking at recent comments from their attorney general, I'd have to say probably not.

  • Orange #30 2 years ago

    Where is the evidence games affect us more than films?

    That's the real pivotal question. If they empirically do not, then there is no justification for games to be treated differently than any other media in their certification.

  • kaya08 #31 2 years ago

    I remember buying the original quake when I was 12 or so. Had to get my parents to pick it up because the clerk refused to sell it to me (the only time that ever happened).
    Which I found absurd at the time but understand now.
    In fairness I really didn't feel (then or now) it was inappropriate for me to play.

    I think there should be just one sticker on boxes - not for mentally unstable individuals. But then having to prove you are (or prove your not as the case may be) could be problematic.

    How many of them kids playing CoD are going to go shoot all there class mates tomorrow because of a game. Or even suffer any mental disorders whatsoever.
    Edited by 3 at 15/12/09 @ 01:01

  • Lee_Morris #32 2 years ago

    About time. I can't think of an actual valid why this R18+ shouldn't be put in place. Here's hoping it can can pass through for them unlucky buggers. They already have to pay through the nose for games, without restricting what they can buy.

  • giant_frying_pan #33 2 years ago

    In Australia, they ask the citizens? That's weird.

    It's a public consultation. It happens in the UK too on certain issues, like with the smoking ban.

  • davisorle #34 2 years ago

    About fucking time cause this thing in AU was pissing me off. After the announcement of AvP being banned and them deny to reduce gore just for them I hoped this would happen sooner instead of keep listening to that BS which is like you listtening to a hysteric, paranoid chick's demands whos on her period. FFS! lol.

    But yeah if there is someone to accuse is the parents not the rating systems. Go check on your fn kid what he bbought with his allowance or what he is playing and gooing nuts with in his room instead of feeling better for him being busy and you not bothering. Be a parent or stfu actually. Inresponsible or violent parents are as bad. On can cause the problem and the other just allow whatever. Same shit. But denying adults from their rights and products cause of this is plain stupid..

  • Joco84 #35 2 years ago

    How about implementing an "Ask 25" policy for people buying games, similar to what they're introducing for purchasing alcohol.

    If you don't look over 25 and wish to buy an 18 rated game, you need to provide ID.

  • TheNinkyNonk #36 2 years ago

    I think the leaders of the country that started two world wars and the one that's largely descended from exported criminals both need to realise that kid gloves and cotton wool aren't going to prevent people from doing bad things in the future.

    And yes, that's an R18+ comment

  • Hexagon #37 2 years ago

    Hopefully the public will provide enough positive input on the matter so that Michael Atkinson's view on video games is simply ignored. He is the only Attorney General in Australia who is holding back the introduction of an 18+ rating as far as I am aware.

  • Mooglepies #38 2 years ago

    Right. Once this is done and it fails to go through, can we start to slag off all Aussies again and not just their government?

    [/cynical]

    I hope it goes through, our Aussie friends deserve some loving from the game industry, given that they already pay stupid prices for games.

  • BigAl-1992 #39 2 years ago

    For their sake, I hope the rating gets passed on a majority vote (Yeah I'm look at you atkinson, you prick)