From blaming the Illinois shooting on video games to sending the FBI after Kotaku to insulting the judge presiding over his case, Jack Thompson did some pretty crazy things during his reign of terror. Gamers in America (and around the world) were thrilled when Jack was finally disbarred from practising law before fading into obscurity. We thought that was the end of such silliness in the gaming world. Well, apparently not.

It seems South Australian attorney general, Michael Atkinson, has started to turn a little Thompson-esque lately. He is the one man preventing the introduction of an R18+ rating in Australia as he believes that it will "increase the risk of children and vulnerable adults being exposed to damaging images and messages." He recently challenged gamers to vote him out of government at next year's election (cocky, much?) and even withdrew his support for a discussion paper and public consultation process.

In a recent interview with ABC's Peter Mares, Atkinson amped up his 'crusade', saying that he will be appealling Modern Warfare 2's M15+ rating due to it's controversial "No Russian" scene, effectively banning it from retail in Australia. He also attacked the Classifications Board and (oddly enough) brought RapePlay into the discussion (despite the fact that the game is exclusive to Japan).

Peter Mares also interviewed David Doe, an advocate of an R18 rating for games sold in Australia and a member of the Gamers 4 Croydon political party.

Click on the "show transcript" link at the source for the full interviews.

Peter Mares: Why do you oppose the introduction of an R rating and 18+ classification for computer games?

Michael Atkinson: Well I'm opposed to extremely cruel violence or violence being anticipated in interactive games. I'm also opposed to depraved and cruel sexual games. I'm also opposed to games that encourage people with points for drug use, that is the use of illegal drugs. The decision on this game to give it an MA15+ classification and in that sort of Commonwealth Classification Board I'll be appealing against that classification. I think it's wrong, it doesn't surprise me because the Classification Board in Australia does everything to try to get games in under the radar and film generally, but just because the system's not being applied properly, does not mean that the principals in the system are wrong.

Peter Mares: But wouldn't it be better to have an R rating so that then the Classification Board can say, 'Well this is clearly for adults', and consumers would know that. If these games are getting in anyway.

Miss Razz via abc.net.au »