There’s been an interesting development in the R18+ games classification crusade today, with South Australian Attorney-General John Rau admitting he supports the introduction of an adult classification on the proviso that the MA15+ rating gets taken out the back and run over by a hummer travelling at speed.
From Kotaku:
“At the moment, children can access a range of MA15+ games that are regarded as inappropriate for children,” said John Rau, “while adult gamers are prevented from access to many games available in other countries.
“By abolishing the MA15+ classification, we will create a clear distinction between games that may be suitable for children and those that are suitable only for adults.”
While the argument that an adult classification should come at the expense of the MA15+ restriction is not exactly a new one, it’s one that both makes sense and offers its own set of problems, the biggest being that removing the rating for games could create a similar confusion given the rating still exists for other mediums.
What’s really needed is a proper overhaul of the entire classification system. Fortunately, there’s a review of the system already underway, so there is hope that we’ll see a single, common sense ratings system introduced sometime in the future. Maybe.
[Kotaku]
Radar
Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 2:56 PMIf they’re going to trim down the number of separate categories they should start with G, PG and M which are all pretty much equivalent.
Gordon Pedersen
Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 3:04 PMThey’re not equivalent at all. There is worlds of difference between G and M, and PG bridges that gap nicely.
Adrian Cascun-Valencic
Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 3:06 PMwut
Simon
Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 3:06 PMThere are differences between those 3, G is nothing violent or sexual or any hint of it. PG can have some hints or themes that kids may not understand yet. M can flesh out those themes or just have stronger themes. MA is quite clearly showing the themes/images/acts. R is adult only very clear portrait of possibly disturbing or violent themes.
I think providing a difference between MA and R allows adults to decide what level of violence, sex etc they want in a game, both are not suitable for children. (well that the plan anyway)
Matt
Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 3:18 PMG, M and R should be enough. I’m not sure if PG really has that much relevance anymore, especially with video games. MA is kind of useless too, isn’t M 15+ anyway? MA is more of a warning than anything else.
Sam
Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 4:04 PMAs far as I understand it, M is a recommendation, whereas MA is a restriction. In practice though I think they’re basically the same, I’ve never seen anyone ask for ID for MA15+ (games or movies).
Adam
Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 3:01 PMHe just wants all the 15 year olds off xbox live when he plays COD.
James Mac
Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 4:20 PMHell, if that’s his plan… then he gets my vote.
Jack Lansley
Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 5:43 PMits not the 15 year olds that are the problem its the 12 and 13 year olds
matt
Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 3:04 PMyeah, I can see where he is comming from… the problem isn’t with the MA15+ classification though, its with the games that INCORRECTLY slip into this catigory due to the lack of an R rating…
if there was an R rating, I’m sure you would see the MA rating become what it should be.
and I agree… what is the reason that this rating should be removed for games but not movies?
Adrian Cascun-Valencic
Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 3:15 PMIMHO the only overhaul we really *need* is to standardise the system so that the same ratings can be applied to as many media types as possible (incl. R18+ for games). It’s a big job, but nowhere near as big as overhauling the entire system. A complete system overhaul would certainly be nice, but I reckon it’s just too big of a job to be done all at once. So I’ll take whatever I can get.
Cameron
Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 3:26 PMNothing good will come of this.
This is not the change gamers are looking for.
This will result in any game currently classified MA15+ being classified R18+. Any game classified RC will continue to be so, and any game that would be RC under the current system would continue to be under he new system.
The only step to a fair system is to simply remove the RC. If games MUST be classified then they must be allowed to be sold.
Ru
Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 4:33 PMNot true. R18+ will allow for mature content on par with what is found in movies. RC is a different kettle of fish once R18+ is in place. Games like MK, GTA and such will be R18+, but I can’t think of any (serious) game that would remain RC.
RC means the content is outside of the scope of any classification available. Can you provide any example of a game that would still be RC?
Cameron
Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 5:09 PMAll games that are currently RC will continue to be so. Any games that are currently MA15+ will become R18+. This change does not add anything to the current system, it simply reassigns what is currently for 15 year olds and above to 18 year olds and above.
If you read all the comments from politicians about this issue you notice this isn’t about reducing state censorship at all, it’s about ensuring kids don’t get access to games intended for adults. There has been zero suggestion from the people making these laws that an R18+ rating will allow more violent/sexually suggestive/stronger themed games.
Nick Broughall
Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 5:17 PMWhile you are correct, I think you’ll find that publishers may (depending on whether or not they think it’s worth the expense and effort) submit RC games for reclassification with an R18+ rating in place, and if they do, I’d suggest many of them would get through. But you’re right that RC games won’t automatically be classified R18+.
Matt
Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 3:32 PMBring back ‘AO’ :p