The Aussie R Still Canned
In Australia, early December (2002) during a meeting between the State Attorney’s-General and the Federal Government the discussion of an R rating for computer and video games were shelved. This was despite the recommendation from the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) to create the rating after public review.
This act was also supported by the Federal Attorney-General at the time, Daryl Williams. However, it was also Daryl Williams who led the opposition to the creation of the R Rating to the computer and video game industry in Australia.
In a statement from Daryl Williams’ spokeswoman, his view was presented as thus; ‘The Commonwealth position is that it will not support the expansion of the R 18 classification to computer games in the view of the interactive nature of computer games… it is appropriate to have a stricter regime in regulation to this area… (As) the likelihood of children gaining access to adult computer games increases if the material is legally available.’
Currently in Australia the highest classification for computer and video games is MA 15 (Mature Audiences – Restricted to 15 years old and over). This classification covers;
IMPACT TEST
The impact of material classified MA/MA (15+) should be no higher than Strong.
NOTE: Material classified MA/ MA 15+ is considered unsuitable for persons under 15 years of age. It is a legally restricted category.
CLASSIFIABLE ELEMENTS
THEMES
The treatment of strong themes should be justified by context.
VIOLENCE
Violence should be justified by context.
Sexual violence may be implied, if justified by context.
SEX
Sexual activity may be implied.
LANGUAGE
Strong coarse language may be used.
Aggressive or very strong coarse language should be infrequent.
DRUG USE
Drug use should be justified by context.
NUDITY
Nudity should be justified by context.
Though, if we look at what the R 18 classification rating covers as a general rating we see that;
IMPACT TEST
The impact of material classified R should not exceed high.
NOTE: This classification category applies only to films. Material classified R is legally restricted to adults. Some material classified R may be offensive to sections of the adult community.
CLASSIFIABLE ELEMENTS
THEMES
There are virtually no restrictions on the treatment of themes.
VIOLENCE
Violence is permitted.
Sexual violence may be implied, if justified by context.
SEX
Sexual activity may be realistically simulated. The general rule is
“Simulation, yes – the real thing, no”.
LANGUAGE
There are virtually no restrictions on language.
DRUG USE
Drug use is permitted.
NUDITY
Nudity is permitted.
As we can see the only difference between these two classifications is that if a game wants nudity, drug use etc. it has to justify by the context of the game. Otherwise these games will be refused classification (RC) and you can not get the game legally in Australia.
One game that bought a lot of discussion is BMX XXX where many were told that the game was given the RC classification because there is no R 18+ classification though if we visit the classification database you will find the game has been given the MA 15+ rating. What happened? For one we are not sure what has happened though I will check into it.
Read on if you wish to find out about the Australian classifications…
In Australia’s gaming industry there are only 5 classification levels these are;
- G – General (All Ages {Not Restricted})
- G 8+ – General (8 Years and Over {Not Restricted})
- M 15+ – Mature (15 Years and Over {Not Restricted})
- MA 15+ – Mature Restricted (15 Years and Over {Restricted})
- RC – Refused Classification (Illegal In Australia)
Theses guidelines use the following hierarchy of impact;
- Very mild – G
- Mild – G 8+
- Moderate – M 15+
- Strong – MA 15+
- High – R (Not used in Gaming Classifications)
- Very high – RC
So there you have it, the unfair classification system for games in Australia. If you have any questions use the message boards or the comment system.