I am writing as a 24 year old adult Australian wanting an issue raised for benefit of all Australians. I am hoping this story will generate public debate and encourage more transparency.

The introduction of an "R18+ rating for computer and video games" is set forth in a discussion paper currently being held indefinitely by The Hon. Brendan O’Connor.

I wrote this letter to give my generation’s viewpoint, and offer something beyond the hysteria, which usually surrounds violent games.

I encourage you to spare 5 minutes and read what I have to say.

Background

As you may be aware, the highest classification a game can be given in Australia is MA15+, despite the existence of a higher R18+ rating for film and television. This leaves the OFLC with the choice of either banning the content for all Australians or keeping it open for 15 year olds.

This has caused a situation which allows children aged 15 to access games containing the same themes and imagery as those in restricted 18+ films/television. Games which are not designed for them in the first place. This lack of clear classification is misinforming parents about the nature of the content and has lead to the media stereotype of "violent games for kids".

An example of this problem is the game "Modern Warfare 2" due for release this month. It is legally available to 15 year olds in Australia with an MA15+ Rating.

The game features a gritty war against terrorism. It includes one scene in which the player participates in the massacring of 30-50 unarmed people in an airport, as a terrorist. With bystanders screaming for their lives, being shot by the player in a realistic modern setting. The game developers have stated "it is an experience designed for adults".

Our rating system has put that game (completely unedited) into 15 year old hands. While ‘Modern Warfare 2" is restricted to adults in every other western nation.

The lack of an R18+ has also caused the opposite effect with some very tame games being edited or Refused Classification due to the mere mention of adult themes.

"Risen" a fantasy based role playing game. It is rated M17+ in America, and 18 in Europe it was released late 2009. It contains sword combat, spells and a wide world of fantasy style exploration.

The smoking of a "grass" based drug in the game was the reason for its Refused Classification in Australia.

As a consequence most adult gamers have resorted to illegal piracy or importing just to see the games as they were "originally intended". Removing income from our local economy and encouraging an underground market in the process.

With the average age of a game player in Australia being 30 years old, and 88% of all Australian homes containing a device for playing computer or video games, it is important that the Classification System continues to be overhauled to meet the needs of the Australian public and be updated to prevent censorship as well as protect the children.

The Interactive Australia 2009 Survey reported that 91% of people surveyed supported the introduction of an R18+ rating for video games, clearly showing that there is a strong desire for change in the system.

Content in R18+ Games

R18+ games will NOT feature any "extreme sex" or "extreme violence". This is misinformation generated by those who don’t understand how games are created, distributed and sold internationally.

The lack of "extreme" content in this proposed R18+ category is due to international developers wanting to avoid an AO 21+ rating in America (the largest market). An AO 21+ rating prevents games being sold on store shelves and also prevents games being sold internationally by ALL international distributors.

All of these games must have content appropriate for 17 year olds in America and 18 year olds in Europe.

An R18+ rating for games would therefore include anything suitable for Americans over the age of 17 but below the age of 21 as an international benchmark.

An R18+ rating would NOT allow for pornography or extreme violence. Anything approaching that level of content would be refused distribution, refused classification or refused sale.

This restriction would also apply to the infamous "rape" games of Japan which R18+ critics put forward as an abhorrent example. These Japanese games cannot be sold legally outside of Japan and they are illegal to own in any western country. R18+ rating would not change this in any way.

The rating will therefore provide Australian adults with the ability to see the content of a high impact M17+ game (similar to that of an MA15+ movie) without the need for edits or fear of refused classification due to its unsuitableness for children.

The R18+ restriction will provide the tools to separate high level content from the hands of children. Stopping violent adult games coming through as MA15+.

Even more importantly, Australia’s classification system can finally compete with the rest of the worlds. Removing classification inconsistency and providing Australians with a full range of ratings they can trust, for all forms of media.

Why don’t we have an R18+ rating?

The lack of an R18+ rating is due to the Hon. Michael Atkinson who will not listen to reason and refutes most independent university studies thrown his way. He still believes games are designed for children and will not listen to any of the above arguments. He believes R18+ games are ultraviolent and "full of hardcore sex"; refusing to look at it any other way.

He has stated on record that all western countries with R18+ ratings are "Swine going over a cliff".

Using his position as Attorney General for South Australia he has repeatedly prevented the introduction of an R18+ Rating, being the only member of the board to refuse it. His refusal removes the unanimous vote required to pass R18+ into law.

He does not believe R18+ restrictions will prevent kids from accessing content, yet ignores all R18+ movies and television currently NOT in the hands of children; treating parents, retailers and general Australians like idiots.

Mr Atkinson is now requesting edits to the R18+ discussion paper, which was originally proposed because he wouldn’t agree with the other attorney generals. It was supposed to be ready for public release in July 2009. But this paper has been delayed again by Mr Atkinson and placed in the hands of The Hon. Brendan O’Connor.

It’s been nearly six months since the papers original release date and over 2 years since Mr Atkinson started blocking the R18+ rating.

I believe Mr Atkinson will continue to delay this paper as long as he physically can, preventing any ratings introduction due to his personal stake in this issue. By delaying he is in fact putting adult games in the hands of children.

So here I am, a 24 year old uni graduate. Looking towards the future. Powerless to really change anything I care about. Stuck with a game rating system which places both adults and children in the same category. Sick of the media hysteria and misinformation plaguing this issue. Willing to leave the country in the next 5 years, because its stopped treating its new adults, like adults.

• I cannot believe 15 year olds are still playing games designed for adults.
• I cannot believe adults are prohibited to see mature content in games, when mature content is available in all other mediums.
• I cannot believe we are the only western country without an adult rating for computer entertainment.
• I cannot believe Mr Atkinson’s single person minority and clear objections has prevented its introduction for the last 2 years.
• I cannot believe Mr Atkinson still has the power to prevent public debate by stalling the discussion paper with no oversight or limitation.

I can only send so many letters for Mr Atkinson to dismiss, I can only send so many notes for Mr Brendan O’Connor to ignore. The NSW Attorney General expresses his dismay at Mr Atkinson’s viewpoint but hopes for the R18+ rating one day. Gamers have grown up.

I urge you once again to support this issue and let my generation’s story be heard. More and more games are being given to children, more and more adults are getting their rights restricted.

I ask you to bring this to the public’s attention as a media organisation when the politicians would rather ignore it. I am welcome to speak on the topic, though I have never felt the need to speak out about anything in my life until today.

Nicholas Alexander Woodford