Home / Uncategorized / R18+ for video games: prove me wrong

R18+ for video games: prove me wrong

| March 25, 2011

Not a challenge but a plea, the argument for an R18+ rating seems so blatantly one-sided that I must be missing the facts. Please show me that there are reasonable points to the contrary.

In Australia, as elsewhere, the video games industry has been increasing in popularity; especially with older males. The average age for a “gamer” is now 35 years. Reflecting this shift in its consumers, gaming content has become more adult.

There is an abundance of violent and sexual content in many games nowadays, which has brought up the question of why are they not restricted by the Office of Film & Literature Classification (OFLC) ?

Not having an R18+ rating for games (as we do for film and literature) has caused some games to be banned. To date, 24 video games have been banned from sale in Australia or been  censored. But more often than it stops games with adult content reaching the Australian marketplace, the absence of an R18+ means that offending games have just enough content cut out so that they can technically scrape into MA15+ rating; meaning (arguably) anybody can buy them.

Now, this subject has been mentioned on this website before  (including here and here) so I wont reiterate,  but I will add a quick "Pro/Con" list for an R-18+ rating:

Pros

  • Restrict sales of select video games to adults only.
  • Increase sales for games retailers and production teams.
  • Limit online piracy.
  • Limit buying games internationally to avoid ratings and taxes.
  • End the view of Australia as having an old-fashioned view on the games industry.
Cons
  • Overtly violent or sexual games censored or banned within Australia.
What becomes swiftly apparent is that I hold a biased opinion, as do 98% of other adult Australians. I cannot possibly see how an R18+ rating will be detrimental to anyone? Even the single con I have is addressed would likely be regarded by most people as a pro – or better.  
 
So that brings me to my question to you: what is a good reason NOT to implement an R-18+ rating for games? 
 
I'd be particularly interested to hear from those out there who belong to the 2% that disagrees with the introduction of an R18+ classinfication for video games. 
 
Although many claim that opinion is based solely on stubbornness; I would like to believe otherwise.
 
Please leave a comment and prove me wrong.
 
 
Luke Jimenez is a 22 year old father from Sydney, with a deep interest in electronic and printed media. He currently works for Fairfax media and occasionally contributes to Boss Magazine and BRW.com.au

 

SHARE WITH: