After an exhaustive ten-year political struggle, Australia has passed a new bill that brings an end to its controversial ban on 18-rated video games.

The bill, first introduced into Federal Parliament back in February, has been passed through the House of Representatives and the Senate without amendment.

Australia's game classification ratings will now be aligned with existing categories for films and television shows.

The 18+ rating allows the games industry to flood its blockbuster games into the country.

Home Affairs minister Jason Clare said "these are important reforms over 10 years in the making".

Source : Breakthrough as Australia ends ban on R18 games (http://www.computerandvideogames.com/354159/breakthrough-as-australia-ends-ban-on-r18-games/?cid=OTC-RSS&attr=CVG-General-RSS#)

All I can say is, it's about god damn fucking time! GIVE ME MAH SYNDICATE!!!

Syndicate isn't that special, man.

Also the new classification isn't that amazing - from what I understand it's just a reclassification of the existing 'MA15+' rating. Games that were banned under the old classification will still be banned under the new one. So yeah, there's nothing really new about this at all - typical smoke and mirrors by politicians.

Not that I've ever had any interest in any game banned here but still, it's hypocritical to rate a movie 'R18+' and then ban a game with the same content simply because it's considered 'interactive'.

Syndicate isn't that special, man.

As a fan of the original (yes I'm aware the new one isn't the same style of genre), I still want to try it out.


Also the new classification isn't that amazing - from what I understand it's just a reclassification of the existing 'MA15+' rating. Games that were banned under the old classification will still be banned under the new one. So yeah, there's nothing really new about this at all - typical smoke and mirrors by politicians.

Not that I've ever had any interest in any game banned here but still, it's hypocritical to rate a movie 'R18+' and then ban a game with the same content simply because it's considered 'interactive'.

Stop raining on my parade.

Yay, now my friend in Australia can play R18 games.

Away with you man - Syndicate was a good game.

What does it say about censorship? Wasn't Dead Island and L4D2 center of some controvery relating to their game covers and in-game gore?

Stupid people who can't read, and then buy 18 and over for their 12 year olds, like gta.

Or people who feel their kids are mentally mature enough to handle the subject matter. By age 10 (and often even younger than that), most lads are into watching violent action movies and horror films etc, especially when they start socialising with other kids at secondary school. Did you wait until you were 18 to watch 18 rated movies? Of course not - I'll lay good odds there's not a soul here that hadn't watched Terminator, Predator and any number of late night horror movies etc by the time they were 7 or so.

The government can try to regulate this stuff, but that's just pandering for votes. They know how the world works same as everyone else - that ratings and censorship are never going to be more than a mere suggestion for most people. And most stores will observe the age ratings only as far as they are legally obligated to do (i.e don't sell to kids, but have no qualms selling to adults who are blatantly buying for their kids, standing right next to them). Every person knows their own limits. Good parents have a fair understanding of what will and won't be too much for their kids. Its a judgement call - but its one for the families to make, not the government.

Treated as a suggestion, the ratings system works fine (i.e if you choose to buy something that is clearly marked as potentially offensive etc, that is your call and you can't say you weren't warned, if you are in fact offended or upset etc). Have there been mass reports of children traumatised by playing GTA? Hell no - kids eat this stuff up, and there is absolutely no evidence that it is harmful for them in any way. They're just games, after all.

Is R18 the same as the 'M' rating here in the US?

Is R18 the same as the 'M' rating here in the US?

The M rating we have here is M15+, recommended for 15 and over unless a parent or guardian gives permission (in the case of games). MA15+ is stricty 15 and above only, and R18... strictly 18 and above.