Introducing R18+ games
The last thing our community needs is more explicit violence and sex. Australian Governments have always refused R18+ rated computer games. However, following pressure from the gaming industry, the Federal Attorney-General’s Department conducted a public consultation which asked for submissions on whether the Australian National Classification Scheme (NCS) should include an R18+ Classification category for computer games.
Submissions to the consultation have now closed, and the decision on whether to allow more graphically violent games to enter the Australian hire and sale market now rests with classification ministers. The Standing Committee of Attorneys General (SCAG) met on May 7 to consider whether to include an R18+ classification category for computer games in the National Classification Scheme. Expectedly, they delayed making a final decision, citing the need for "further analysis of community and expert views". A decision could be made at their November meeting.
The gaming community speculated that the delay in reaching a decision was because the overwhelming number of submissions to the consultation came via two pro-R18+ organisations. A preliminary report from the Attorney-General's Department shows that the concern of ministers, that the consultation is not representative of broader public sentiment on the issue, may be well founded. Perhaps the gaming industry, by inundating the consultation with submissions, has 'shot itself in the foot'?
R18+ games - the issues
Currently under Australian law there is an R18+ classification for movies and DVDs but not for computer and video games, with any game exceeding the MA15+ rating being refused classification. According to the Office of Film and Literature Classification guidelines for computer games, the regulations for computer games are applied more strictly because “Ministers are concerned that games, because of their ‘interactive’ nature, may have greater impact, and therefore greater potential for harm or detriment, on young minds than film and videotape".
The potential for violent and sexually explicit interactive games to cause harm has only increased in recent years as these games have become even more sophisticated, graphic and interactive. It is also naive to think that R18+ games could be restricted to adult users. If these games are allowed to go on sale in Australia they will inevitably find their way into the hands of younger players through older siblings or friends.
If any changes are to be made to the classification system it should only be to resolve to tighten up the MA15+ rating to ensure that games aren’t wrongly getting through in this category.
There is strong community concern about the impact of violent video games on children’s development. Many games force the child to identify with the aggressor and children are rewarded for immoral conduct and violent behavior. Research shows that increased playing of violent first person shooter games can significantly increase aggression. (1)
And remember, even if R18+ games were only sold to adults, they would inevitably find their way into children’s hands.
Take Action
Please take action to stop the introduction of an R18+ rating for computer games by writing a short email to your state Attorney-General asking him or her not to support this proposal.
We reluctantly provide a link to the following offensive clips to help people understand what is at stake and motivate people to action. WARNING: this link contains violent and sexual imagery. If this is what is legal now under the MA15+ rating, the mind boggles at the material that would be allowed into Australia legally if the ban on R18+ computer games was lifted.
(1) Bartlett, CP et al (2007) “Longer you play, the more hostile you feel: examination of first person shooter video games and aggression during video game play”, Aggressive Behavior, 33(6), 486-497
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