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Censory Overload: Games censorship in Australia

By Dan Chiappini on 22 April 2008

How much does the right to choose what content you view mean to you, the consumer? GameSpot AU explores the thorny issue of videogame classification and censorship in Australia.

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Comments (30)

  • Wilza commented on 10/12/2009 19:48

    I have done a lot of research on this topic for a school project and don't agree with this system at all. If the government thinks that video games will make people believe that their next door neighbor is a flesh eating zombie, or that after completing GTA-IV that person will go and commit grand theft auto, there is only one thing i can say. Get a life! There are plenty of people who play games that involve popping caps in an alien's head or decapitating a zombie, they don't go on shotgun sprees or live huddling in the corner waiting for the demon king to rise out of the floor. The point is, they are games. Michael Atkinson should be thrown out because he is denying responsible adults who know that zombies don't exist the right to play what they want. Adults need to stand up for themselves. Don't let one man deny the whole of Australia the right to kill zombies!

  • TaZ commented on 16/10/2009 08:41

    Here's what we should do.. put all the kids in a prison with no games.. Problem solved, us adults can play whatever the **** we want. But honestly my 10 yr old sister plays TF2, graphic violence ooo yeah she is gonna flip and kill some **** well he'd deserve it if she did but comon why is it Australia is just full of control freaks taken away our rights we are so far behind in everything especially the internet. DAMN YOU GIVE US OUR GAMEAGE!

  • Jeffular commented on 29/09/2009 11:10

    Sorry for the pelling mistakes and double post.i am just REALLY pissed off.

  • Jeffular commented on 29/09/2009 11:07

    i am fourteen and have been waiting fr l4d 2 since it was announced.i have played much worse than that and i will get the game some how. i will do what ever it takes to promote change in the classification boad of australia

  • ANON commented on 27/09/2009 21:23

    I'm 28 year old gamer, seen it all, nothing is going to give me nightmares! Its just a GAME!! Like get over it, Make a R18+ classification if you have too! Adults do play games too you know!!
    I'll just buy this game from overseas now!! Like I did for BMX XXX!
    Stupid Aussie Censorship ppls AKA DICKHEADS or D#%@#%@DS as you would have me say!

  • irritated individual commented on 25/09/2009 18:52

    Damn stupid old fellas ruling what we do, ,they baned L4D2. C'mon, it's our choice if we want to play that game, not theirs.

  • really commented on 22/09/2009 22:17

    im just reading through this msg board and im seeing a large amount of juvinial behavoure from young and old members of the gaming comunity the behavoure and languge that u are displying is the ammo that the clacifcation board needs to ban games really grow up and fight this issue properly

  • avidgamer commented on 21/09/2009 11:38

    @wraith88

    LOL, you noticed that too????? What set you off? The talk of a kid playing a MA15+ or higher game, or the complete disregard of the english language?

    @concernedmother (fixt)

    If you are really who you say you are, I would be insanely worried because you as a parent are completely disregarding the acceptable ratings for games. Left 4 Dead was a MA15+ game and L4D2 would be a R18+ one, WHY WOULD YOU BUY THIS FOR YOUR CHILD!?!?!?!?!??!?!?

    If he only breaks his depression by killing zombies, then there must be something phsycologically wrong with him and you should be doing more than throwing video games at him and ignoring it.....a therapist maybe?

  • wraith88 commented on 20/09/2009 22:53

    @cornsernd mother - I am sure you aren't pretending to be a concerned mother at all..... While I do not agree with the system in place, I really don't think your failed attempt in pretending to be a parent will help.

    In fact you doing so only gives politicians the fodder needed to keep arguing against changing the rules because of the level of maturity of those who are classified as gamers. Congratulations, you are letting the team down on this one.

  • helltascelta commented on 20/09/2009 07:21

    this in my opinion is bull ****
    now i am 15 and i watch r+18 movies and im still normal.
    ha ive played gta 4 and i dont have the a wanting to kill people so really the old farts are just protecting phyco paths who will kill and blamme it on gta or in this cases L4D2. look ACT VIOLENCE HAS BEEN AROUND BEFOR VIDIO GAMES EG THE VATICAN, THE COLLOSIUM AND JESUS CHRISTS SLAYING.

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