Slashdot Mirror
San Andreas Banned In Australia
UoNTidal writes "The Sydney Morning Herald reports that following the revelation that the 'Hot Coffee' sex minigame was included in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the Office of Film & Literature Classification has revoked the game's classification, making it illegal for the game to be sold in its current form in Australia. As the highest classification available [PDF link] for computer games is MA15+ (as opposed to R18+ for films that can be sold in all states and territories), the sex scenes in 'Hot Coffee' pushed the game outside the permitted content for that rating, effectively banning the game."
Technically Oz was founded by Brits (just like the US), first as a penal colony when the prison ships anchored on the Thames started to stink up the London gentry's riverside properties. Later waves of immigration (mainly in Victoria) accompanied the Australian gold rush. Of course, long prior to this there was a wave of immigration during the melanesian expansion that led to the Aboriginal population.
Anyways.... I personally am rather surprised that the Aussie government is complaining about GTA; after all, they have a fine tradition of road warrior fiction.
At least there is a specified rating guide for content instead of an arbitrary one. According to Australian rating codes from TFA, the mini-game pushes it beyond the acceptable rating in the sex category. A mini-game is a little bit more than implied (although it is still modified in order to access the content).
MA15+: The impact of material classified MA 15+ should be no higher than strong.
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.
R18+: The impact of material classified R 18+ should not exceed high.
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.
it is particularly ironic as prostitution is legal in Oz...
Why is blowing people's heads off considered less serious than sex?
This particular news story isn't about that. The fact is, this game was certified without full knowledge of what was being certified. Now that it's come to light that there is stuff in there that the certification board didn't see, and that many people have a problem with, the current certification is no longer valid until the certification board has had the opportunity to review this content.
As the law stands in various countries, it's illegal to sell something that's uncertified, or at least you need a special license to do so.
It's likely that the certification board will take one look at the content and reinstate the certification, but until that happens (and you know how slow government organisations can act sometimes), the fact is that this game is uncertified and thus is restricted in how it can be sold.
I agree that the general attitude of "violence is bad, but sex is worse" is ridiculous, but I'm not convinced that this is what the "ban" is all about.
>>> If you're raped, the nightmare is just beginning.
What do you mean, "the nightmare is just beginning"? Being raped was the nightmare. Once it's over, it's over. I'm not saying it's all flowers and butterflies, but it's not death either, ok? I've known girls who've been raped, and they went on to lead normal lives. The idea that rape is worse then death is sexist and comes from a time when it was easier on society if rape victims just killed themselves. It's also an easy out for the guy if you believe that if she's not crazy or suicidal afterwards then she must not have been raped. Let go of your misconceptions.
"What is Internet Explorer 7? Are you saying we can't access the normal internet?" - I love tech support. Really.
If any country is the first to ban or censor anything it's always good old Australia.
Not exactly everything, just anything to do with computers and sex. Its more technophobia and a mistaken belief that adults don't use computers (except at work) rather than prudishness.
Hell, just last night there was an expose on streakers, and on the recent series of Big Brother any indication whether one of the girls was a natural blonde had been eliminated with a razor, not with pixellation...this is free to air television, mind you. They can even show penises after 9:30pm, if that's your thing (provided they're more than 45 degrees from horizontal...no really, that's the real classification guideline!).
Another example, recently one TV station, the Special Broadcasting Service (specializes in non-English programming) ran an ad that went something like this: "SBS wishes to advise viewers that the coming season of movies contains adult themes, sex scenes, violence, horror, coarse language, drug use, and nudity. So there's something for everyone". Truly special...
Blank until