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Australia Likely To Get 18+ Game Rating

Posted by timothy on from the thank-you-uncle-government dept.

hypnosec writes "Australia is set to update the age rating system for video games, adding a new 18+ category which should allow for the more violent games to be sold in the country. The current maximum age rating for a console or PC game is 15+. If a title didn't meet the specifications for this age it was denied a rating and was therefore not allowed to go on sale. This didn't necessarily mean the game never hit the shelves, but it could only do if tweaks were made to remove some of the most violent or questionable content. The first parliamentary session in the new year is set for the 7th February — giving the poor fellas a nice long break — where the bill to introduce the new age rating will be voted on by the lower house. If it passes there, it will go on to the senate, which has the ability to pass it into law."

2 of 55 comments (clear)

  1. Let me just clarify something here for you all. by AbRASiON · · Score: 4, Informative

    "Australia is set to update the age rating system for video games, adding a new 18+ category which should allow for the more violent games to be sold in the country"

    While it's good they are fixing a stupid problem, no one BUYS games here anymore, everyone I know is all over international mailing services. Where I can buy games overseas at HALF the cost they are here - and that's not from Asia either, I'm talking US / UK releases of the games. PS3 is region free (thank you Sony for something smart) and X360 AU is compible with UK releases. Plus Steam - when they do rip us off here (normally other publishers, not Valve) we get our US friends to gift them to us at a sensible price and pay them back via paypal.

  2. Re:Sanity to prevail? by KorrodeAU · · Score: 4, Informative

    Problem is there was an original set of draft guidelines drawn up that stated the games R18+ rating would basically allow the same degree of content that is allowed in R18+ films, however that draft was unable to gain an unanimous vote (required) from all the AG's. A re-draft was then done on the games R18+ guidelines that was more limiting and can easily be interpreted as little other than a re-branding of MA15+. That is what got passed by the AG's.