Nintendo Australia has released its reaction to 2009 sales figures and it is mildly chuffed, likewise both Microsoft and Sony are equally chuffed in their outlook for the Australian video game industry.

2009 was a tough year for many industries, even the so-called recession-proof video-game business.  The numbers for 2009 have hit the interwebs and whilst the sales figures have declared December 2009 the best month ever, over all video-game entertainment contracted last year.

Humans in Australia can now look forward to being attacked by nightmarish Aliens and Predators, as the previously banned Aliens Vs Predator has now been sanctioned for release.  It does beg the question however, is this a game that 15 year olds should be playing?

While we bluster about in the wake of the ISP-Level Filter go-ahead, the Attorney General’s Department finally released the public discussion paper for introduction of an interactive entertainment R18+ Classification.  Unsurprisingly, the Australian Games Industry is happy about this.

The Rudd Government has not yet formed a view on whether the games classification regime should be reformed to include an R18+ ‘adult’ rating and already concedes there is little it can do without the cooperation of all states and territories.

Without too much fanfare, the Australian Attorney-General’s Department has released the discussion paper and submission guidelines for feedback on the issue of having an R18+ Classification to bring video games and interactive entertainment in line with cinema and DVD ratings.

Temperatures rise again in the battle for an Australian R18+ classification for interactive entertainment.  This week’s round sees Attorney General for South Australia, Michael Atkinson continue his stance on refusing the introduction of an adult classification, meaning games such as Aliens Vs Predator would continue to be banned.

The general feel of the Game Connect Asia Pacific 2009 conference is one of guarded optimising for the future.  The final day has kicked off with a frank discussion from Transmission Games former senior producer Justin Halliday.  Halliday spoke about the chequered development process for the award winning WWII flyer game Heroes Over Europe.

Game connect Asia Pacific 2009 is a chance for the Australian video game development industry to come together, exchange ideas, support each other and of course, compete for the annual awards that GCAP announces.  This year’s winners highlight the subtle shift in video game development over the past twelve months.

Part of the Game Connect Asia Pacific 2009 conference is the showcasing of student and independent game developer work.  This year the range is broad indeed.