Under the final guidelines, the criteria for an R18+ game will now be:
THEMES:
There are virtually no restrictions on the treatment of themes.
VIOLENCE:
Violence is permitted. High impact violence that is, in context, frequently gratuitous, exploitative and offensive to a reasonable adult will not be permitted.
Sexual violence may be implied, if non-interactive and justified by context.
SEX:
Sexual activity may be realistically simulated. The general rule is "simulation, yes—the real thing, no".
LANGUAGE:
There are virtually no restrictions on language.
DRUG USE:
Drug use is permitted
Drug use related to incentives and rewards is not permitted.
NUDITY:
Nudity is permitted.
Both wrong, there's at least one AO game for consoles that I know of, and retail stores do carry it.
Remember the fiasco with that one GTA having to be re-rated to AO? You can't tell me stores stopped carrying GTA (except maybe in AU).
Jerykk wrote on Nov 5, 2011, 02:56:Both wrong, there's at least one AO game for consoles that I know of, and retail stores do carry it.Obviously there'll never be AO games for the consoles, but does this mean that adults still can't buy truly adult only PC games in Aus?
I don't think any retail stores carry AO games anyway. The few AO games on PC were only available through specific websites, so you'd be able to buy from those regardless of your region.
Obviously there'll never be AO games for the consoles, but does this mean that adults still can't buy truly adult only PC games in Aus?
Sleette wrote on Nov 4, 2011, 17:08:
So, here's my question: This is an 18+ rating. That means available to adults only. So does this mean that no sex at all is allowed in any media in Australia? There are no porn movies for sale? All access to explicit websites is blocked? If so, Wow, I had no clue. If not, why unfairly single out the games media for this restriction?
Wouldn't want adults making decisions for themselves. Oh, no siree. Good thing the Aussie government will protect everyone.
Sleette wrote on Nov 4, 2011, 17:08:jdreyer wrote on Nov 4, 2011, 16:09:SEX:
Sexual activity may be realistically simulated. The general rule is "simulation, yes—the real thing, no".
So, here's my question: This is an 18+ rating. That means available to adults only. So does this mean that no sex at all is allowed in any media in Australia? There are no porn movies for sale? All access to explicit websites is blocked? If so, Wow, I had no clue. If not, why unfairly single out the games media for this restriction?
I was wondering when someone would bring this up.. it's the first thing that struck me. I assume 18+ is the least restrictive rating. So these amount to rules about what ADULTS can purchase/be sold.
Drug use for incentives?
Explicit sex?
Explicit violence?
If I, as an adult, want to play a game (or read a book, watch a movie) with this type of content, who is the government to say that I can't. What about freedom of artistic expression?
I'm surprised the comments here seem, in large part, to willingly accept this as ok.
jdreyer wrote on Nov 4, 2011, 16:09:SEX:
Sexual activity may be realistically simulated. The general rule is "simulation, yes—the real thing, no".
So, here's my question: This is an 18+ rating. That means available to adults only. So does this mean that no sex at all is allowed in any media in Australia? There are no porn movies for sale? All access to explicit websites is blocked? If so, Wow, I had no clue. If not, why unfairly single out the games media for this restriction?
jdreyer wrote on Nov 4, 2011, 16:20:Cutter wrote on Nov 4, 2011, 14:08:
And what the hell is a "reasonable adult"?
I agree, it's extremely vague. This kind of language could be used to ban almost anything, since the vast majority of people are opposed to violence. Just look at the outcry against the judge who beat his daughter with a belt, an act which would be fairly minor in most video games.
Cutter wrote on Nov 4, 2011, 14:08:
And what the hell is a "reasonable adult"?
Beamer wrote on Nov 4, 2011, 15:52:Even 'reasonable' has very strict definitions in Canadian law, covering no less than 5 pages in an annotated criminal code. A reasonable person knows that the sky is blue. That 1+1=2, that if you use a knife to stab someone, your intention was to cause grievous harm. That if you don't feed a baby you can kill it. But if you leave your 15yr old kid at home for the evening, they have enough sense to feed themselves.
You have plenty of "reasonable" which I was getting at.
SEX:
Sexual activity may be realistically simulated. The general rule is "simulation, yes—the real thing, no".
necrosis wrote on Nov 4, 2011, 14:36:
Simulation = GTA3. Guy and hooker get in car. All you see is the car bouncing up and down and the windows fogging up. You know whats happening it is just not outright shown.
Real Thing = Outright showing two people fucking.
Mashiki Amiketo wrote on Nov 4, 2011, 15:31:Beamer wrote on Nov 4, 2011, 14:58:We don't have that in our criminal code here in Canada. An 'adult' is a person who is neither a 'young person' nor a 'child'. Basically someone who isn't under 12(no mens rea - mental ability to commit a crime/reasoning), and the YCJA doesn't apply to 13-18(exception at 18 on act).
Half of the western world's laws involve similar terminology.
El Pit wrote on Nov 4, 2011, 11:07:Rattlehead wrote on Nov 4, 2011, 11:00:
Also how is sexual violence ever justified?
Exactly. That made me scratch my head, too.
Beamer wrote on Nov 4, 2011, 14:58:We don't have that in our criminal code here in Canada. An 'adult' is a person who is neither a 'young person' nor a 'child'. Basically someone who isn't under 12(no mens rea - mental ability to commit a crime/reasoning), and the YCJA doesn't apply to 13-18(exception at 18 on act).
Half of the western world's laws involve similar terminology.
a reasonable adult
Beamer wrote on Nov 4, 2011, 14:58:Mostly because of the vague as shit "offensive to a reasonable adult".
Half of the western world's laws involve similar terminology.
Mostly because of the vague as shit "offensive to a reasonable adult".
Cutter wrote on Nov 4, 2011, 14:08:What the guv'nr tells you it is.
And what the hell is a "reasonable adult"?