Australia gets in-principle R18+ Classification for video games

Mike Bantick
Friday, 22 July 2011 14:44

Opinion and Analysis

There is still some thrashing out to be had, but the Australian video games industry is welcoming an in-principle agreement for the introduction of a long-awaited R18+ classification for interactive entertainment. 

Not that it is in their stereotype make up anyway, Australian video game aficionados are not yet dancing in the streets, today has marked a major milestone in the campaign to get an R18+ Classification introduced for the entertainment of their choice.

Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Conner has today announced that the Standing Committee of Attorneys General (SCAG) has reached an in-principle agreement to introduce an R18+ classification for video games in this country, something that the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (iGEA) describes as a welcome step forward.

It has been a long fought battle, within the confines of government process not suited to a quick turn-around of a law that has been out dated for some time now.  The Australian national classification system has been unable to distinguish the realm of interactive entertainment from the child orientated focus of its not so distant past, with the more mature offerings from today's development studios.

As such Australia has fallen behind in being able to classify video game content that is being consumed by Australians with an ever increasing average age.

Ron Curry, CEO of the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (iGEA), says that today's outcome is a positive step for the video games industry which has been awaiting an R18+ classification for almost a decade.  

'An in-principle agreement for an R18+ classification is a big step towards a robust ratings system that best equips parents to manage their children's access to appropriate content, as well as enables adults the ability to play games of their choice within the confines of the law,' said Curry.

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