The internet has been buzzing with news that
Australia might finally get an R18+ Rating for video games, with
91% of Australians in support of the new rating. With the issue getting more and more publicity in Australia, big names are starting to back the push for an R18+ rating to be introduced into the country.
Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia chief, Ron Curry, supports the introduction R18+ rating, saying that
"to have such a high quality narrative (such as Silent Hill) receiving a Refused Classification only further highlights the need for an immediate review of the classification system.".
While Chief executive of the Australian Industry Group, Heather Ridout, was against an R18+ rating, as she believes
"violence, it breeds violence". Interestingly though, she supported controversial artist Bill Henson (who was recently in the news due to the public outcry over his
photographs of naked underage children), because it is
"necessary to view art through 'a different prism'. Hypocritical, much?
INDUSTRY figures have slammed the censorship of video games in Australia and say the medium should be considered an art form like film or literature.
The latest title in the popular Silent Hill game series that spawned a feature film in 2006 was refused classification last month after failing to meet the requirements for an MA15+ rating.
"With the average age of gamers being 28, it makes no sense to censor games to a point where they are only appropriate for a 15 year old," said Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia chief Ron Curry.
"To have such a high quality narrative (such as Silent Hill) receiving a Refused Classification only further highlights the need for an immediate review of the classification system."
Chief executive of the Australian Industry Group Heather Ridout said she supported the work of controversial photographer Bill Henson and that it was necessary to view art through "a different prism".
However she said she found violent video games "appalling".
"Grand Theft Auto was one of the more famous games and seemed to turn everyone into a car thief," Ms Ridout said.
"Violent games... violence, it breeds violence."
Prominent gaming journalist James Cottee this week said there seemed to be a "prejudice" against video games that ignored their artistic worth and the sense of achievement and fulfilment that people gained from playing them.
"Games are a legitimate art form just like books or film or anything else. This stigma that they're somehow tawdry, is just that an irrational prejudice," he said.
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Then again, that would mean we're back to the olden days.
HOWEVER, I looked at some of the images in the link you provided, and those photos, I feel, are intentionally controversial. I won't bash the artist because I don't know what his purpose or statement may be (perhaps his intentions are good?), but it does bother me that the photos are clearly loaded with sexual content (lighting, pose, etc.) that does put the kids at unnecessary risk/exposure, and it doesn't take a pedophile to see that.
Both video games and art, I think, look like the leaders of society. I've heard people say that both games and (contemporary) art move too quickly for experts to classify or the masses to understand. I'm not sure how I feel about the show being shut down really, but at least it's still being talked about (intellectually speaking).
A) video games are, of course, considered art by a variety of people. For a person who speaks of viewing art in a different prism, they should undoubtedly consider it art. What's so inartistic about video games rated for a mature audience?
B) I'm sure that even though naked photos should be considered a form of art, the person should at least have consent for it, and certainly not be able to stimulate 40 year old beer bellies in semen stained undershirts.
Then, after pressure from "who knows where" he has resinded his objections (all be it very briefly) and "allowed" public debate on the issue now. But no news has come forth on when, where or how it will be conducted.
Further. The average age of Australian gamers has now been reestablished as being on average 30trs old from a new study out of Bond University in Queensland again. The same Uni that did the initial study.
It also showed that 91% of the adult population polled want a R18+ rating so they have a clear and visible distinction between what is an over 18 yr old game, and what clearly is not.
It would be great if the reported actually did a follow up on it, rather than rehash old news incorrectly . . .
The ODD thing he is, that many games that are rated as adult games, those that are specific for ages of 18 and over (including some states in the US which is generally 17+) ARE in fact allowed into the country untouched.
Games such as Brothers In Arms: Hells Highway gets through with decapitaion, dismemberment (in slow motion and with bone, soft tissue and internal organs clearly visable) yet ShellShock 2: BLood Trails gets a RC due to the same reasons . .dahh ??
Ninja Gaiden II gets allowed in without even a twitch, is rated 18 overseas and gets a MA15+ here, has lots and lots of blood, even slattering on your (the gamers screen) and dismmemberment, beheading etc, yet Dark Sector =gets a RC, and has to make alterations due to teh very same content.
Yes, confussing isn't it.
The thing is, most parents wouldn't have a clue one way or the other, as they rely on the ratings to say what is in the games, and after questioning many (we've done a few polls ourselves for an upcoming article) many see the MA15+ and have said quite simply . . "Yes, but it says 15, so it can't be all that bad can it, otherwise the ratings board would put an adult rating on it" dah dah !!
SO you see the confussion on both sides. The OLFC thinks all games are for Kids, the SA Attorney General is protecting the kids from themselves and their parents (yet allows 18 + games in anyhow undeer the guise of MA15+ in many cases, yet wants to stop any public discussion on the mater, because he says so.
All the industry wants the R18+ ratings, the public want it, need it for direction, and here is the funny thing,
They do NOT have to even create a new classification . . it already exists for all movies, books, etc etc etc, but they simply do NOT use it for "games" because - well - "games" are for - well - kids after all, and we (governments - read SA AG the ONLY Attorney General in all 7 states that says we shouldn't have an R18+ btw) knows best for all.
Soon as we have an up to date item on it, we'll gladly share it with you.
So yes, they do have them for film, print media and games . . . you will often find books with adult themes or strong themes situated higher on shelves where "minors" might not pay attention to them, or reach them . . . .
If a book is deemed too explicit, it may not be allowed to be shown on shelves, but that rarely happens due to it being seen as "art" . . . even if it is really extreme . . whereas games are seen as "kids' stuff" and therefore not deemed suitable to warrant an adult (not sexually adult) rating - ie 18 yrs and over.
Wow, just wow!
It's not as if someone's saying "child porn > violent games". Perhaps you could read the article and see how stupid and uninformed your comment is.
Which the photos of the 12-13 year old's can be considered porn.
And lol at you not knowing the difference between nude photos and porn.
You say I should stop and think before I post? Here's a tip for you as well, just to be fair
When you write comments, stop, take a minute and read the comment again. If it sounds like a fairly typical comment you would make, hit ctrl+a then delete and start again.
If you did this your posts wouldn't be so Final Blade-ish.
"I swear to you, officer, kik36 is no pervert."
The whole issue is basically a joke. They see "GAMES" as child's play" and yet falsely label 18 games here under the MA15+ rating, while claiming to be protecting minors from such things as "adult rated games" hellooooo . .something does not add up there, now does it.
While I fully support R rated games, I don't think Australia is ready for them. Most parents here are fine with their kids playing violent games, because they are unknown of how bad some games really are. and we really need to change that. Some PSAs would help.
I'm just kidding. I don't really care. I still like him and clearly so does kik26.