R18+ rating for Australia draws one step closer

After years of delays, disagreements and political circle-jerking, all signs point to Australia finally revamping its classification system and introducing an R18+ rating for video games. Australia’s classification body, the Office of Film and Literature Classification, has long trailed the developed world in its ratings system, which has seen games like Dead Rising under-classified as M15+, Left 4 Dead 2 heavily censored and the most recent Mortal Kombat outright refused classification – and thus refused distribution.

At a meeting of the country’s Attorneys-General, eight agreed in principle to go forward with an R18+ rating, with the only holdout being New South Wales Attorney General Greg Smith, who is waiting on advice from the Australian Law Review Commission before proceeding. However, the Commonwealth may opt to proceed regardless of NSW’s position.

Speaking to Kotaku Australia, Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor expressed confidence that Smith is likely to agree with the other Attorneys-General.

[New South Wales] didn’t say no, they actually said they didn’t want to be the odd one out, so that sound positive considering the eight other states agreed in principle.

And the reason it says ‘in principle’ is that there are some amendments that have to be made, and that’s just a matter of the Attorneys-General taking these amendments back to their cabinets and approving it.”

O’Connor, who has been a long-time proponent for the rating, expressed relief that the saga was nearly over. The decision also comes as a relief to the 42,000  gamers – including myself – who supported the move in a petition conducted by EB Games in February of last year.

The issue has long been on the table for Australia’s Attorneys-General, but experienced a number of setbacks, particularly from former South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson, who was against the rating. The Australian Christian Lobby also vehemently opposed the decision, fearing it would lead to an influx of violent media that could be harmful to children, despite the fact that under the current classification system, several games have received more lenient ratings in Australia than they have in the rest of the world.

The new rating will most likely be in place by the end of the year. However, games refused classification in the past will not be re-classified under the new law.

[Kotaku: We Did It! The R18+ Round-Up]