Full Press Release Below:
Tomorrow submissions close for The Commonwealth Government’s discussion paper on the pros and cons of creating an R 18+ classification for computer games.
Keeping the Pressure on ALL State Governments
And tomorrow leading national Video and PC games retailer, GAME, along with gaming news website, Pal Gaming Network (PALGN) will also launch a campaign to keep the pressure on governments to support an R 18+ game classification.
Why keep the pressure on State Governments?
For games classification legislation to change the unanimous support of all state attorney-generals is required. Moreover, if one state attorney-general disagrees, legislation remains unchanged.
Censorship Ministers have considered the issue of an adult classification for computer games on several occasions, but this time, Rob Lukic, GAME Managing Director, is calling on governments around the country to help support parents in understanding which games are suitable for over 18s and which games aren’t.
"GAME and PALGN want to ensure that children are not exposed to Video and PC games with mature content, and they both firmly believe that the R18+ classification provides a clear message," said Lukic.
"Some games are played by everyone, but some are only meant for those over 18,” explained Lukic.
Games appealing to more families, more than ever “Australia currently does not have an adult video game classification. Games that are only suitable for adults are either pushed into the MA15+ category or simply banned altogether."
"GAME and PALGN believe that an R18+ classification will allow adults the freedom of choice to play games with mature content, and help to ensure that these games are not rated MA15+ under any circumstances."
"The public should be educated to ensure that children are not exposed to any video games with mature content, and the R18+ classification provides a clear message that this is the case."
"It will allow our (GAME) stores to offer clear advice to all customers, on the suitability of the content for the end user. An R18+ Classified product is clearly intended for Adults, based upon its content, and would not be suitable for anyone under that age."
“Family gaming is now the largest segment of the video games market, and it is important for all video games to provide a clear message with regards to their content - Some games are played by everyone, but some are only meant for those over 18," added Lukic.
PALGN, Australia's most trusted independent source of video and PC game news, has partnered with GAME to keep the PC and Video game classification debate alive. Roland Kulen, Director of PALGN says, "It is not over until the games classification legislation is changed – and change doesn’t come easy. We’re in this for the long haul."
Kulen added, "We spoke to a number of gaming retailers last year presenting the idea of joining forces on a petition to urge governments to create an R 18+ game classification. GAME really understood our concern that the current gaming classification system, which doesn’t have an R 18+ rating, leaves Australian families without a specific guide as to which games are suitable for under 18s and which aren’t. GAME shared our vision that creating an R 18+ rating is not about the right to view or sell over R 18+ games, but rather about helping families identify those games which are not suitable for under 18s."
As just about every Aussie family knows games are now well and truly mainstream family entertainment and repeated studies show that gaming has become integral to family connections with parents and children playing together and siblings of all ages playing together.
In a recent GAME focus group, a female divorcee wanted to make sure her next male companion and his kids were adept at using the same console platform as she and her daughter, because it meant they could all play games together.
The gaming industry and gamers have created a website to harness the enormous support for an R18+ game classification – www.EveryonePlays.org.au.
The EveryonePlays website was built as a result of a recent survey on PALGN revealing that almost half of core gamers, 97% of whom are male, are gaming with family members.
The survey revealed 42% of core gamers are gaming with either their parents, siblings or other family members. "These are powerful statistics. The EveryonePlays name speaks to all Australians representing both core gamers and parents with children, which means our message will appeal to mainstream and social media audiences", says Kulen
"Overwhelmingly the industry and the public support an R 18+ Classification rating,” concluded Lukic. And to ensure that public support for an R 18+ classification remains top of mind for censorship Ministers around the country, GAME is launching a petition in all 120 GAME stores nationwide, and on EveryonePlays.org.au."
The petition will be open for six weeks.
List Links -
• www.everyoneplays.org.au
• www.game.com.au
Media Contacts:
Anne Lawler / AKL Public Relations / 0419 018 834 / anne@aklpr.com.au
Karla Boge / GAME / 02 8998 4567 / karla.boge@game.com.au
About GAME
GAME Australia operate 120 retail stores nationwide and an ecommerce site game.com.au. Our specialist proposition is the retail of video and PC games, consoles and related accessories. GAME offers customer friendly policies, unrivalled product knowledge, a pre-owned programme, pre-orders, wide range of software and accessories, choice and value deals, constant promotions, offers and a Reward Card programme. For further details see our website www.game.com.au