A new draft of the R18+ classification has been released by home minister Brendan O’Connor through the Australian Federal Government. The new guidelines closely match those in place for Australia’s film industry. The new R18+ rating removes restrictions on bad language, drug use and nudity; in contrast, the current guidelines forbade the classification of any adult-themed games.
O’Connor’s draft claims that the R18+ rating will allow “virtually no restrictions on the treatment of themes”, and violence in games “except where it offends against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults to the extent that it should not be classified.” As far as sex, the draft says, “Sexual activity may be realistically simulated. The general rule is ‘simulation, yes – the real thing, no'”.
Of course, “standards of morality, decency and propriety” is still troublesomely subjective, while “simulation, yes, the real thing, no” is comicly inept for videogames, where everything is simulation. You may be able to tell when live actors are actually performing sexual acts, but when can you tell a videogame character is actually having sex?
O’Connor stated:
“The Gillard government wants to provide better guidance for parents and remove unsuitable material from children and teenagers. The introduction of an R18+ classification will help achieve that and will also bring Australia into line with comparable nations. This issue has been on the table for many years, without the necessary progress to make a change. We’ve recently seen several states publicly express their support for an adult only rating for games and I’m keen to reach a unanimous decision at the July meeting.”
Rather than banning games, why not punish stores for selling mature games to underage children? Or put the onus of raising children on the parents?
Great episode of Politacast guys (It’s a joke Dan Q would get.)
@Microsoft buying Mojang: A lot seems to have happened or at least gotten confirmation of since the last comment I made. I am glad that Notch sold the company to a buyer that is likely going to do as Jonah mentioned “You go do your thing over there and just make us money”. I remember people having similar reactions to Disney buying Marvel “All our characters are going to be ruined and Disneyfied”. From what I have seen they seem to also be doing the “You do your thing and just make us money”. Microsoft has a confirmed money making game, I don’t think they will ruin that recipe.
One of my friends had suggested that Notch just should have released the source code of the game to the public and turn profits over to charity. My thought on that was that might be “morally” right for Notch but then puts all of Mojang out of a job, which to me is worse than “selling out”. I have no doubt in my mind that Markus cares very much for his Mojang staff and has insured their continuance to work in this deal with Microsoft. I think that Jeb, Dinnerbone and the rest are very passionate about minecraft and want to continue it’s development.
Speaking of passionate Phil Spencer put on a minecraft theme on his twitter page (probably a PR thing but I’d like to think he really is into Minecraft). He’s also stated in twitter that the Youtubers doing videos of Minecraft will be allowed to continue doing what they are doing. I also do know the feature updates will continue as well. He also released a video that stated how important and valued their audience is for the game and that they will listen to said audience. So I’d like to think he really does care about the game and it’s audience and not just the dollar signs.
The thing though I’d like to ask you guys about is people are concerned about Mods and if the game will switch to different programming code than the current Java based one it is on now? People feel if it switches to C++ they won’t be able to do their total conversions of the game. It’s a minor thing to me but I know it’s a major thing to others. Microsoft doesn’t seem too against modding in general since I can find mods for Halo and Fable.
@Conservatives: Politicians really need to keep their noses out of the gaming industry. People seem to love to scape goat as Paul pointed out; everything has been blamed except for the actual causes of these problems. They don’t seem to understand the issue and rather point fingers or sweep it under the rug. The fact that we have Cosplaying women get assaulted at cons, to Youtubers getting death threats means we have a problem here. It’s not the games it’s how we are behaving as a Society as a whole. So yes I pity this woman for not having enough self-reflection on what’s going on around her.
@Violent video games for Ice cream: What do they think we’re all 8 or something? Again another story of a group of people not really fully aware of the situation and what’s causing the problems.
@Game streaming: I don’t much like this idea either I agree that having a feeling of ownership over the game is what I like.
@QotW: So long as bonus content is small stuff like sound tracks or some character skin, it’s fine. A lot of times these pre-order bonuses are never attainable other wise and I’d had the feeling of an incomplete game if I am missing out on a feature. I also don’t like the piece meal feeling of it all being diced up. I just got the full Wasteland 2 and the start-up screen has a joke about DLC with this robot thing and $60 for it.
@Microcraft
I don’t really see a problem here. It’s just successfull business. I think Microsoft knows better then to mess with the much loved brick-stacking formula and will just throw money it’s way. As for Notch, the guy should be respected. It takes a real leader to care for his employees.
@Back to the Stone Age
For fear of choking on my own malice, I will restrain myself from writing too much on the subject. The woman has a belief and has every right to express it. But attacking other groups for their beliefs is politics, undermining her claims. Telling women not to play games is much like saying to an African-Caribbean football player subjected to racial abuse to leave sports (a huge European issue). I disagree with her opinion.
@violent games will make you cream
This initiative would be good in UK, as the price of Ben&Jerry’s here is atrocious. Still, I don’t see the point of their argument. In a country that is proud to send its young men to shoot foreigners, attacking violent video games sounds hypocritical. And pointless. It’s not like it will prevent the young from being exposed to the violent medium.
@QOTW
I pre-ordered quite a few games in my time. Mostly multiplayer games. But I never let bonus DLC dictate where or how I order them. I get the game where it is cheapest or most convenient. I don’t bother with any fancy special editions, as to me the disk is what’s important and extra feely tat is not worth my limited resources.