South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson is the single man responsible for Australia's backwards rating system in which videogames deemed unsuitable for fifteen-year-olds is banned or censored. He alone is resisting any attempt to update the ratings, but it seems like he's finally going to have to defend himself -- he's up against a game developer in the 2010 state elections.
Atkinson gladly welcomes the challenge, and believes that this debate will decide whether or not the people want violent videogames or not. In doing so, Atkinson makes some shockingly awful statements about videogames, claiming that a vote against him is a vote for games in which people score points for rape.
"The voters of Croydon will now be asked directly whether they want interactive games in which gamers score points by raping a mother and daughter, blowing themselves up, torturing human figures . . . killing people and taking drugs to improve their sporting prowess," states Atkinson.
News.com asked Australians whether there should be an R18+ rating in the country, and it would appear that Australians would! 83% of the 2200+ voters said "Yes" to the question. So, let's hope that Atkinson indeed turns the next election into a debate about ratings. It would appear that, if he does, his days are numbered.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
12:00 PM on 11.09.2009
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"A vote against me, is a vote for RAPE"
GET RID OF THIS SICK FILTH!
Rape Hero?
Seconded.
Wow. Did he get molested by pong or something? Or does he just randomly hate video games with a passion?
Still I really want to know what game is he talking about where you get points for raping a mother and injecting steroids to be better at sports?
"raping a mother and daughter" - I mean seriously...why do I have the feeling that he played only japanese games? RapeLay much?
We're very disappointed in you. Not mad. Just....disappointed.
-America
Hope that was sarcasm, bro.
Put all that in a game, and I'll buy 50 copies of it.
Really though, "believes that this debate will decide whether or not the people want violent videogames or not." has an extra 'or not' in it. I usually don't even bother putting one after whether anyway. It just seems too showy. Anyway, do you think that this one contention between Atkinson and the voters would be enough to discredit him in a considerable enough fashion? I read this Doe guy has opted to include some non-game related issues into his campaign in part, at least, to get enough signatures to get his party established. And that could help. I just wonder how imminent the danger is of him getting the boot.
Games that have been given an MA15+ rating
- Gears of War 1 and 2
- Fallout 3
- Saints Row 1 and 2
- Grand Theft Auto
- Left 4 Dead
Now how many of those are suitible for children? Really, Chainsawing people in half and having the blood cover the screen, Exploding Bodies and dismemberment etc...its not suitible for younger people....the issue is that these games are being shoe-horned into an inappropriate rating that makes it EASIER for the children to get their hands on.
If a kid took up an MA15+ Rated Fallout 3 to an ignorant parent and asked them to get it for him, most likely the parent would because MA15+ carries less of a stigma than R18+ and only the most retarded of parents would go and buy something that has an R18+ sticker on it for kids.
Sure there are alot of Gamers under 18 that would bitch and moan about their right to play games or whatever, fact is regardless of the rating they'll get it one way or the other regardless of rating....buy instituting a Higher Rating, you may just prevent all but the hardcore gamer kids from getting their hands on unsuitable games.
But no, AG Atkinson believes that Censorship and Bans work better, because you know....people had the right idea when they burnt all the questionable books in Berlin, and who knows..we may start seeing exhibitions of Video Games as "Degenerative Art" in the near future.
What a wonderful country I live in.
Where do we find these rape a mother games? wtf.
Thirded.
I'd hate to see the perpheral device for that game let alone the control layout...
Forthed.
Australia is left out in the dark ages, all because of one ignorant old man. If ever there is need for aussie gamers to go out and vote, it is right now. Only you can get this fool out of office, and get the games you deserve.
Anyways this seems most interesting Jim and I really hope you keep us posted on every nitty gritty detail.
And what platform are they on? The Wii?
I find it hard to swallow that he is honestly under the impression that a lack of an R18+ rating - resulting in games only suitable for adults being forced into the MA15+ bracket - is at all morally responsible.
This idiot's political campaigns have been nothing other than "WON'T SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!"
In every non-anarchist country in the world, 'freedom' is merely a fluid ratio of legal versus illegal. I'm fine with that. I'm not fine however with one man enforcing a system to which the vast majority are opposed. At that point, the politician believes he is a ruler instead of a civil servant.
@no one in general: Cool, The guy in charge makes himself look like a raving lunatic... The future of adult gaming in good ol' Aussie look's good for a change. Now all they have to do is turn there TV's the right way up... Which is down... har har har. lol. That was terrible I know.
But how can ANYBODY hate on 'Splosion Man?! He's just so hilarious!
Australia has some real sick, evil video games. We don't even have games that bad. It's what I would expect from the home Country of Hitler and Josef Fritzl.
DuDE!!!!! AUSTRALIA. not AUSTRIA. You completely lost me there for a bit.