Burwhale
Save the BlobFish!
+136|6661|Brisneyland

Ty wrote:

Australia and classification have always had a serious problem. I don't quite understand how it got this bad.

The main problem is that the rules governing it are so damn old It hasn't evolved with the evolution of different media. They're still trying to fit decade old laws with "new" technology, they have no idea that if it doesn't fit then well maybe they're going to have to try something different.

If you read Hansard, (and if you don't wish to be bored out of your skull I advise that you don't,) you'll see that when debating classification the Aussie parliament sticks almost exclusively to films. Static media, media that remains unchanged. A film is made, it doesn't change. Games of course, particularly multiplayer games are not static. When it comes down to new media like games or the internet they are clueless because it's not static and how to classify such things isn't written in law. They are, of course, doing the best they can but they're doing it wrong.

Did you know Australia doesn't even have an 18+ rating for games? If you ever wondered why Australia keeps on banning games it's because any game deemed to be to extreme for the pitiful MA15+ rating it's banned outright. They haven't seemed to realise that people who first got into games with things like the Atari 2600 have grown up now and still enjoy gaming. For some reason they haven't realised that gaming is not just a children's past time. This is just one of many problems.

Their methods are aged and completely and utterly obsolete, they need to actually change their rules and methods of classification to reflect the modern world.
As much as it hurts to hear a New Zealander telling us we are wrong Ty is bang on. Govts just dont treat gaming as a serious thing. It will change but will take time. I must admit that there havent been any games that I have wanted that I couldnt get, so its probably not as bad as you think. Dont get me wrong, its not good though.
Mitch
16 more years
+877|6964|South Florida

DrunkFace wrote:

mtb0minime wrote:

Australia seems more Communist than Russia or China tbh.
Why?
Does America sell unclassified games?

Is it that unreasonable to restrict the sale of games before they are classified?
Absolutly. I don't know shit about australia law and ill admit that but im used to the freedoms of the US and i find it fucking sickening that the Aussie government thinks you are too stupid to choose your own game.

Im fucking appauled at what i just read. Because it doesn't have a single player mode, its unclassified? What the fuck???

Can a user not choose what they want to play?
Can a company not choose what they want to distribute?

Appearently not.
15 more years! 15 more years!
Ty
Mass Media Casualty
+2,398|7213|Noizyland

It's not about freedoms Mitch it's about everything conforming to a set standard. Games don't fit in the current model of classifications and are thus "unclassifiable". Instead of opting to change the laws governing classification to include such modern media the Australian government is instead opting to ban all games that fall outside of it's narrow set of rules.

Changing a law is not easy, not if you want to make it watertight anyway. The thing is that it's getting to the stage now where it needs to be addressed. The game industry in Australia, particularly retail, is going to suffer. That's unforgivable in the current economic climate, especially when the issue can be solved by the government simply modernising their legislation.
[Blinking eyes thing]
Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/id/tzyon
Sidsnot
Banned
+93|6001|Stoke, England
As a proud Englishman I use to think to myself;

How could I ever move away from the this beautiful country, I will always live in England.  However IF by any small chance I do migrate, the only place I would want to live is Australia.

Not anymore, not anymore
Gooners
Wiki Contributor
+2,700|7071

canada it is then huh shits not
Sidsnot
Banned
+93|6001|Stoke, England
New Zealand

Last edited by Sidsnot (2009-02-05 14:59:41)

CrazeD
Member
+368|7112|Maine

DrunkFace wrote:

mtb0minime wrote:

Australia seems more Communist than Russia or China tbh.
Why?
Does America sell unclassified games?

Is it that unreasonable to restrict the sale of games before they are classified?
America sells like, every game.
iNfinity.
Member
+12|6082|Norway
Lets hope you guys can try BF 1943 and BFBC2

Last edited by iNfinity. (2009-02-05 22:17:21)

Board footer

Privacy Policy - © 2025 Jeff Minard