Australia Debates New Game Rating
The banning of Valve's soon-to-be-released Left 4 Dead 2 has spurred debate in the land down under as to whether Australia should adopt a "R18+" rating for video games. Although "R18+" is used for films, the highest classification available for video games is the "MA15+", meaning for audiences 15 or older. For games with adult doses of violence (say, for example, awesome zombie gorefests), the Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification Board has no choice but to refuse classification, which acts as a de facto ban.
Extending the R18+ rating to video games requires agreement by all Australian state Attorneys General. However, South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson has opposed such a move, stating that the while the lack of a R18+ rating restricts choice, "that is the price of keeping this material from children and vulnerable adults."
Valve has appealed the ruling but, like others before it, may have to release a modified version of the game in Australia in order to appease the censors.
Coverage from news.com.au available here.