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."
I'm consistently confused.
Why is blowing people's heads off considered less serious than sex? I San Andres I could conduct a drive-by shooting, or otherwise brutally murder someone. But having sex results in an older age limit?
Even if this is sex with a prostitute, or going several steps further if it is rape, then surely that remains less serious than murder, or mass murder.
It is said that murderous video games don't make murderers (on the whole, for the millions that play). Is the assumption different for other crimes, if so is there any evidence, and if not why restrict them?
It could be said that minors (however defined) shouldn't be exposed to sex (or sex in a violent context), but then why is it more OK for them to be exposed to murder? Does anyone have a rational argument either way?
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.
Seriously, there have been like fifty stories about Hot Coffee on Slashdot, and yet each time the same comments get modded up:
1. Violence and crime are worse than consentual sex.
2. The sex minigame wasn't even accessible without modification/it's very difficult to access it.
3. Parents who bought a game called "Grand Theft Auto" for young kids shouldn't be able to yell at other people about irresponsibility.
4. It's much easier to get real porn than to get this mod.
5. All this is just politicians trying to gain support among the "think of the children" crowd.
6. (this one doesn't apply so much to Australia) The difference between its old rating and its new rating is only one year of age.
So moderators: I'm only half kidding when I say that these posts should be marked "Redundant", not insightful or interesting. Not anymore.
it is particularly ironic as prostitution is legal in Oz...
I wonder if Australia knows about the vile sexual imagery I was able to unlock in Mario Paint?