If you haven’t yet submitted your thoughts as to why Australia needs to update its classifications system and introduce an R18+ rating for video games to the discussion paper, you should probably hurry. Remember, that the deadline for submissions is February 28, which is just 10 days away.
If you’re looking for inspiration, David over at Kotaku has been publishing the closing comments from some of his reader’s submissions. You should also check out the Bond University report (PDF) for arguments, as well as check out the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association’s submission, as well as Electronic Frontiers Australia’s draft submission.
Remember to be logical and coherent in your submission – this is an important issue, and even though AG Atkinson will most likely ignore your submission when the issue next comes to vote, it’s still best to not give him excuses to claim that gamers are scarier than biker gangs again…
[Kotaku]
NickT
Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 11:22 AMHey Nick… maybe that final comment should be changed to ‘Bikie Gangs’?
Bikers are not all members of bikie gangs, and some of us are not scary at all thanks. I ride & I play games. I’m a biker. But I’m not into bikie gangs. This is just bs from the media grouping all who ride bikes as criminals. Just like Atkinson is doing with gamers. So please, could you be a little more considerate with the generic bikie/biker term and give us riders the benefit of the doubt. Most of us are normal, decent people tarred by the actions of a few. Just like us gamers!!!!! :)
ben
Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 11:49 AMSo how do you make a submission?
James
Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 12:13 PMThere is more info on how to make a submission over at PALGN:
http://palgn.com.au/16018/how-to-make-a-submission-r18-public-discussion/
StevoTheDevo
Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 1:28 PMIt’s actually surprisingly easy to do.. I just did it myself. The hardest bit was keeping my comments below the 250 word limit!
Hit the link below, download the Submission template in Word format.
Save it and email it to the address in the template..
http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/Consultationsreformsandreviews_AnR18+ClassificationforComputerGames-PublicConsultation