Above is a snippet from the latest episode from a new show on ABC1 called Q & A, where the audience ask questions to politicians and journalists about issues that concern them for Australia and its interests.
Joab Gilroy, audience member and staffer at Gamearena, puts the subject of games classification to the panel, specifically mentioning the recent refusual of classifying Fallout 3 due to using morphine to heal oneself, despite similar functions used in the previous classified Fallouts and other successful games like Half Life, The Chronicles of Riddick and BioShock.
What comes next is nothing short of horrifying.
There was the typical "mother of three finds this stuff horrifying for my children, so NO ONE should have it" courtesy of Heather Ridout, Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group. I love it how she thinks that the likes of Rockstar North must be deranged for making an interactive work of art with carjacking involved, yet neglects to mention the likes of the Godfather and the Goodfellas, which both influence GTA, but are considered highly respected works of art. Annoying, but expected from Heather.
We also had our "interactivity in art equals replication in the real world" viewpoint from incoming independent senator Nick Xenaphon, stating that "I think we have to listen to the psychologists who've looked at these sorts of things, and this is different in the sense that its interactive, people get immersed in these type of games, and I think that there is a real risk, I think as a society we can live without it." Ironic that in 1995, an Australian government-commissioned report found little evidence that in-game violence breeds real-life violence.
The most shocking thing from this is as follows: Most of the panel DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WE HAD A RATING SYSTEM FOR VIDEO GAMES!!
Yeah, I'm pissed that those with even remote power about freeing the juvenile shackles on our beloved art form are clearly clueless and have no respect for a billion dollar industry. But, they aren't all to blame.
We have industry bodies such as the GDAA and IEAA to represent the industry and its interests, yet through the panel's ignorance, these bodies are clearly failing at getting their message across to those who can make the decision. What is need is education about the rating system, about why games such as Fallout 3 get banned for such trival things yet it is OK to sell something like Gears of War or GTA4 to people below the age of 18, and to strengthen the industry's standing on the Australian stage.
Someone needs to tell the likes of Ridout, Xenaphon and Barnaby Joyce that video games aren't just for children anymore; they're a universal medium not unlike music, film and literature.
At least we can take comfort from the words of incoming Labor Party Senator Mark Arbib: "an R-rating, over the age of 18 is fine,....if you are want to play the game, you are going to get it somehow."
Hahahaha, as satisfying as that would be, that wouldn't solve anything. Their ignorance is only breeding piracy to meet demand, which hurts the economy. Plus, kiddies get to play GTA and Gears with ease.
I hate this show, people ask questions then politicials then go about ranting without any direction, and its usually made worse by the hose who never has a fucking clue.
People always look at this issue from some very, very poor angle.
We need to give them the facts, and then kill off the ones that refuse to see. :p I jest, I jest.
This makes me SO ANGRY!!!! really nothing in the past few years has boiled my blood because i just dont know what to do about it. I work in the games industry and i see the governments and peoples attitudes towards games (see above) really affecting the industry at large. I myself am contemplating moving to Canada. Please someone tell me what i can do to change this.
I would pressure either the Game Developer Association of Australia or the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia (or both!) to educate the public and public servants about the industry, the games classification guidelines and the social impact gaming has had.
As someone whom is wanting to enter the games industry as a developer, I too have contemplated moving to Canada. At least there you have the financial assistance to excel in your art and you don't feel like you're making either pornography or mere toys.
Saw this the other night. I like the way the panel just laugh at the guy when he says something about the Queen owning a Wii. These people have no fucking clue.
They really must have their heads in the sand if they're laughing off the Wii. What does it take to show these dinosaurs that video gaming is a strong industry?!
Ok ive written up a draft of a letter that just gets alot of crap of my mind (actually made me feel a bit better). Ill post it in a cblog and get peoples comments on it.
What complete idiots. I'm American, and I memorized the Australian national anthem (girt!); the least these jackanapes could do to repay me for my cultural awareness is learn a thing or two about their own incredibly-flawed-but-still-in-existence rating system, and how to fix it.
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about me
Mitchell
He likes games
A-lot
Nearly as much as Shiggy is goofy
He goes to QANTM College, studying Interactive Entertainment (majoring in Games Programming)
It is clearly evident he is a ladies man
He works at an arcade
He loves Nine Inch Nails. Just don't speak of Mr. Reznor negatively around him
He also buys an abnormal amount of CD's, considering the trend in consumer activity these days
He has a Wii but has no reason to play it. He has a Xbox 360 and a souped-up PC too. He wants a 3DO for a projectile to lob at Brett Ratner's head (I still haven't gotten over the horror that was X-Men 3). A PS3 would be nice too.
He loves fondoo, what ever that is
I think this lacks any real HUMOUR!! Well, that's because I drank too much of Aunt Esmerelda's Gore Vidal Tonic, so it is having me reciting 19th agriculture methods in a high-pitched tone that even makes Fran Dresher want to jump out of Sears Tower with a noose around her frail neck.
Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press living the dream since March 16, 2006
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If I was a australian;
"The time for talk is over."
If you take the away the freedom of choice, you mess with people's rights.
If you mess with peoples rights, you can cause a bloody Coup d'état.
Just sayin'.
@ SnakeDude4Life:
Hahahaha, as satisfying as that would be, that wouldn't solve anything. Their ignorance is only breeding piracy to meet demand, which hurts the economy. Plus, kiddies get to play GTA and Gears with ease.
i was gonna read this but then i realized i live in mexico and dont really care about this.
still sucks for australians, though :(
I hate this show, people ask questions then politicials then go about ranting without any direction, and its usually made worse by the hose who never has a fucking clue.
People always look at this issue from some very, very poor angle.
We need to give them the facts, and then kill off the ones that refuse to see. :p I jest, I jest.
This makes me SO ANGRY!!!! really nothing in the past few years has boiled my blood because i just dont know what to do about it. I work in the games industry and i see the governments and peoples attitudes towards games (see above) really affecting the industry at large. I myself am contemplating moving to Canada. Please someone tell me what i can do to change this.
@Naturon:
I would pressure either the Game Developer Association of Australia or the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia (or both!) to educate the public and public servants about the industry, the games classification guidelines and the social impact gaming has had.
As someone whom is wanting to enter the games industry as a developer, I too have contemplated moving to Canada. At least there you have the financial assistance to excel in your art and you don't feel like you're making either pornography or mere toys.
Saw this the other night. I like the way the panel just laugh at the guy when he says something about the Queen owning a Wii. These people have no fucking clue.
@Zanyice:
They really must have their heads in the sand if they're laughing off the Wii. What does it take to show these dinosaurs that video gaming is a strong industry?!
Sudden Bloody Coup D'etat.
Just putting it out there.
Ok ive written up a draft of a letter that just gets alot of crap of my mind (actually made me feel a bit better). Ill post it in a cblog and get peoples comments on it.
What complete idiots. I'm American, and I memorized the Australian national anthem (girt!); the least these jackanapes could do to repay me for my cultural awareness is learn a thing or two about their own incredibly-flawed-but-still-in-existence rating system, and how to fix it.
I feel bad for Australians... They must be in a really hopeless situation.
You can't even post your pro-R18+ rating ideas on the abc forums
the fucking admins block it!
@M3cur1:
We must call Jung and Bajo.
GOOD GAME TEAM ASSEMBLE!!!!