AUSTRALIA: R rating in discussion

The Australian Government says it is considering introducing an R rating for video games, which would allow the sale of more explicit titles in the country, according to ABC news.

Debate has been ongoing that an 18 or R rating should exist for more adult software, which was reignited following the Australian Classification Board’s refusal to classify PS3 and 360 title, Dark Sector. The current guidelines state that any game that does not meet the MA rating will be banned.

The proposal for an R rating must be agreed to by the Commonwealth, states and territories, and will be discussed in late March.

However, The Australian Family Association says there is no reason to have an R rating for video games.

"We’re concerned about the level of violence and so on in R-rated material," said AFA spokeswoman Angela Conway.

"But in terms of the games, it seems that there’s a lot more scope to actually change people’s brain structure and their attitudes with games."