New video games rating R18+ becomes available in Australia

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

A new Australian adult video game classification, R18+, came into effect starting yesterday.

The new rating brings greater consistency between Australia's systems of video game ratings and film ratings. Previously video game classification went no higher than MA15+, so more adult video games would have to be either classed as MA15+ or denied classification.

The government passed the legislation in June after a deal was agreed between the states, territories, and Commonwealth.

Video game ratings have been the center of long running public debate in Australia with some interest groups concerned that children may gain access to more violent games while proponents claim that the new adults only rating will guard children from inappropriate content.

The deal which allowed the legislation to proceed was struck after John Rau became Attorney General of South Australia. Mr Rau has been a vocal supporter of the change.

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Sources

Rodney Chester. "R rating of video games comes into force" — The Courier-Mail, January 2, 2013
Graeme Philipson. "R18+ video game rating now in force" — iTWire, January 2, 2013
"R18+ game rating comes into effect" — ABC Online, January 1, 2013
AAP. "R18+ video games rating comes into effect" — The Sydney Morning Herald, January 1, 2013

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Articles presented on Wikinews reflect the specific time at which they were written and published, and do not attempt to encompass events or knowledge which occur or become known after their publication.

Got a correction? Add the template {{editprotected}} to the talk page along with your corrections, and it will be brought to the attention of the administrators.

Please note that due to our archival policy, we will not alter or update the content of articles that are archived, but will only accept requests to make grammatical and formatting corrections.

Note that some listed sources or external links may no longer be available online due to age.