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Graffiti Game Banned in Australia

Posted by samzenpus on from the think-of-the-children dept.

afaik_ianal writes "The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that 'Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure' has been banned in Australia. The game involves battling the authorities to overthrow corrupt officials using only street fighting skills and graffiti. From the article, "The decision was endorsed last night by the Federal Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, who had asked the board to review of the game's MA15+ classification after local councils and state governments voiced concerns that the game would promote graffiti.""

3 of 313 comments (clear)

  1. Philip Ruddock by MichaelSmith · · Score: 4, Interesting
    the game features a world where freedom of expression is suppressed by a tyrannical city government.

    I've got an idea for a character in the next version of the game.

    But seriously, most of the games out there promote violence, road rage, all kinds of stuff, and they can still be sold. What makes graffiti so important?

    --
    http://michaelsmith.id.au
  2. Re:Not surprising - the games are coming up! by Gleng · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I lived in Melbourne for nearly five years, and I used to really enjoy looking at the graffiti whilst on boring train journeys. I'd MUCH rather look at the graffiti - some of which is absolutely amazing - than a plain, blank grey wall for an hour, but that's just me I suppose.

    It would be a much better use of time if they could stop the trains on the Frankston line smelling like stale piss.

    --
    "Proudly Posting Without Reading The Article"
  3. Re:More Stupid Censorship and Irony by Haeleth · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I'm sorry but I can't be supportive of any game that encourages breaking the law.

    So, do you think this game should be banned? It encourages kids to take the roles of 19th century slaves illegally running away and depriving their masters of their lawfully-owned property!

    And what about this game, where players are encouraged to steal a continent from its indigenous people, and then to commit high treason against their monarch? Clearly it should be banned! Won't somebody think of the children?!

    Sorry, but breaking the law is not always wrong. I would far rather our children were being taught to think for themselves and to actually consider the moral implications of various acts, than that they were being brainwashed into a black-and-white "Obey the laws because the State Knows Best" worldview.

    If there is hope, it lies with the proles. Let's educate them.