New R18 rating introduced in Australia
Governments agree on new rating level for games
The federal and state governments have reached an in-principle agreement to provide an R18+ rating for video games in Australia, reports ABC.
Gamers have argued the rating would protect children from games containing inappropriate material, while giving adult gamers a choice.
South Australia has previously indicated it will also scrap the current MA15+ , meaning all violent games will be restricted to adults. Federal Justice Minister Brendan O'Connor welcomed the in-principle agreement saying it is a "big step forward in the long-running debate on classification".
"The introduction of an R18+ classification for computer games will provide better advice to parents and help prevent children and teenagers from accessing unsuitable material," he said.
"Once introduced, the new classification will also afford adults the opportunity to view material designed for adults."
A national telephone survey conducted by Galaxy last year showed that 80 per cent of the 2,226 people contacted said they supported the introduction of an adult only category for games.
Under the proposed guidelines, games containing high-level violence will be restricted to adults, while games containing extreme violence will continue to be refused classification and banned from sale altogether.
The lobby's Rob Ward does not want a barrage of extreme games coming into Australia, but he has welcomed the new agreement. "What this appears, and again depending on the details, is that there'll be no loosening and no increase in the number and types of games that will be available, but rather a classification change," he said.
The existing MA15+ rating in Australia was the highest restriction level possible. Because of this, many games were either outright banned or heavily censored.
Gamers have argued the rating would protect children from games containing inappropriate material, while giving adult gamers a choice.
South Australia has previously indicated it will also scrap the current MA15+ , meaning all violent games will be restricted to adults. Federal Justice Minister Brendan O'Connor welcomed the in-principle agreement saying it is a "big step forward in the long-running debate on classification".
"The introduction of an R18+ classification for computer games will provide better advice to parents and help prevent children and teenagers from accessing unsuitable material," he said.
"Once introduced, the new classification will also afford adults the opportunity to view material designed for adults."
A national telephone survey conducted by Galaxy last year showed that 80 per cent of the 2,226 people contacted said they supported the introduction of an adult only category for games.
Under the proposed guidelines, games containing high-level violence will be restricted to adults, while games containing extreme violence will continue to be refused classification and banned from sale altogether.
The lobby's Rob Ward does not want a barrage of extreme games coming into Australia, but he has welcomed the new agreement. "What this appears, and again depending on the details, is that there'll be no loosening and no increase in the number and types of games that will be available, but rather a classification change," he said.
The existing MA15+ rating in Australia was the highest restriction level possible. Because of this, many games were either outright banned or heavily censored.
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