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I’m opposed to extreme and cruel violence being dissipated in interactive games. The decision on this game [Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2], to give it an MA15+ classification is a matter for the Commonwealth Classification Board. I‘ll be appealing against that classification. It doesn’t surprise me because the Classification Board in Australia does everything to try to get games in under the radar, and films generally. Just because the system is not being applied properly, does not mean that the principles of the system are wrong.
...I don’t want the extremely violent, sexually depraved and drug use games in Australia at all. We can’t stop these interactive games getting into the home and getting into the hands of children. Interactive games are, I think, a greater risk than films because they are interactive.
The vast majority of Australians have not turned their mind to the question of an R18+ classification for interactive games. It’s just not an issue out there in the electorate. Most Australians don’t think about it. Like me, many of them enjoy playing games such as the Wii. - South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson
How many things can you pick out of Atkinson's argument that prove he knows next to nothing about games? I'll hit on the Wii aspect, as it appears that Mr. Atkinson has no idea that there are games like Manhunt 2 and MadWorld for Wii. David Doe from Gamers4Croydon answered Mr. Atkinson with the following statement.
I think the Classification Board is doing the best it can. There’s obviously a huge commercial interest in the videogame industry, and even though Australia is a small market, they are going to try and provide Australians with the type of content they would like to engage with. I think if we gave them the option of having an R18+ rating, they would classify more games as R18+ because they have that ability and then that way people would be more informed as to the type of content that’s readily available in those types of games. If you’re over 18 years old, you should be able to decide for yourself what you think is appropriate.
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The fact of the manner is that kids ARE playing M-rated games. It's too shallow to simply say "well kids shouldn't be playing them!" They already are! I'm very sure many people (majority even?) on GoNintendo are under 18 and have played through several M-rated titles.
So Mr. Atkison is simply looking for a solution based on how things are, not for a solution based on a perfect society where saying "but kids shouldn't play them" is enough for every parent in the world to suddenly exclaim "Why, you're right! I'm going to go stop Billy from going to Jesse's house and playing GTA/MW/RE!"
Having said that I do agree he should become more knowledgeable in things before tackling the issue. I realize he picks the Wii because it generally does have a more family-friendly lineup, but as RMC said it has some M-rated games too...
And as for the TV/movies argument, well, he did mention that games can be worse as they are interactive. I would think that at least has a bit of truth to it.
You need an ID to buy R18+ media. With M and MA15+ you don't.
A lot of games released down here as MA15+ can easily and SHOULD be in the R18+ category but are not.
Atkinson wants to prevent these games from being sold to kids? Best way is to have that R18+ rating so that they have to provide ID to buy them.
And even when they are flat out banned does he really think Aussies have no way of getting the game. Has he heard of the interwebs/importing/many other ways?
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If you ban violent games, why not ban violent TV shows and violent movies as well? Oh, and don't forget to censor those explicit books while you're at it.
Seriously though, it's the parent's job to keep their kids from playing "inappropriate" games. Furthermore, these types of games aren't made for kids, so they have no business playing them.