[PIGMI] R18 Classification Review

[Avril Cox]

Interesting discussion about this on Triple J's 'Hack' last night.

If I remember correctly, only two states Attorney's Generals have  
voted on this yet, and WA's wasn't one. So there's still time to push  
on this.

It did sound like WA was leaning toward R18+ at the moment.

In summary, some (non exhaustive!) arguments presented for R18+:

- Currently games rated 18+ in other countries being argued down to MA  
here to get through classification, potentially when they shouldn't be  
available to that audience.
- We are the only country without a 'mature' classification system
- Film allows R18+ (and if R18+ not implemented for games, it should  
be removed from film as well)

Arguments against:

- R18+ means those games will be available in Australia and kids could  
get their hands on them
- Difficulty enforcing classifications with p2p making everything  
available to all ages anyway.
- The issue with Video game violence being worse than film
violence being two key issues: interactivity and repetitiveness.

I suggest anyone who feels strongly about this topic should get letter  
writing today, or miss the boat.

Cheers,
Avril.
--
Reveri.es Virtual World
www.reveri.es

On 01/12/2010, at 10:30 AM, Cameron Royal  
<cameron at sandboxsoftware.net> wrote:

> Was just forwarded this press release from a friend of mine - the  
> introduction of an R18 classification will be discussed next week at  
> an attorney general meeting.
>
> The survey figures are pretty interesting:
>
> http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/rwpattach.nsf/VAP/(3A6790B96C927794AF1031D9395C5C20)~R+18plus+status+report.pdf/$file/R+18plus+status+report.pdf
>
> -
> Cam
>
>
>
>
> Sent: Wednesday, 1 December 2010 9:52 AM
> Subject: O'CONNOR: R18+ computer game classification review released  
> [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
>
> UNCLASSIFIED
>
>
> THE HON BRENDANCONNOR MP
> MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND JUSTICE
>
>
>
>
> MEDIA RELEASE
>
>
> Wednesday, 1 December 2010
>
> R18+ computer game classification review released
>
> Minister for Home Affairs and Justice Brendan Connor today released  
> a review of existing research into whether people who play violent  
> computer games are at greater risk of being aggressive.
>
> This analysis of the available literature shows that:
> there is no conclusive evidence that violent computer games have a  
> greater impact on players than other violent media, such as movies  
> or music videos
> there is stronger evidence of short-term effects from violent  
> computer games, than long-term effects
> some research finds that violent computer games are a small risk  
> factor in aggressive behaviour over the short term, but these  
> studies do not thoroughly explore other factors such as aggressive  
> personality, family and peer influence and socio-economic status.
> The introduction of an R18+ classification for video games will be  
> discussed at the Standing Committee of AttorneGeneral meeting in  
> Canberra on Friday 10 December.
>
> The literature review is available at www.ag.gov.au/ 
> gamesclassification
>
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