THE anti-censorship lobby is increasing the pressure on Attorney-General Michael Atkinson, with R18+ computer games the next battleground.
Australia's largest video game retailer has today launched a national petition demanding the introduction of an R18+ classification rating for adult video games.

In response to "overwhelming customer demand'', EB Games will have petitions to lobby the state and federal governments in its 350 stores and online from today.

"Australia is the only developed democracy in the world that does not have an adult rating for video games, leaving us behind the rest of the developing nations, leaving us censored to content that adults in other parts of the world are allowed to view and interact with," the petition states.

THE anti-censorship lobby is increasing the pressure on Attorney-General Michael Atkinson, with R18+ computer games the next battleground.
Australia's largest video game retailer has today launched a national petition demanding the introduction of an R18+ classification rating for adult video games.

In response to "overwhelming customer demand'', EB Games will have petitions to lobby the state and federal governments in its 350 stores and online from today.

"Australia is the only developed democracy in the world that does not have an adult rating for video games, leaving us behind the rest of the developing nations, leaving us censored to content that adults in other parts of the world are allowed to view and interact with," the petition states.

SA Attorney-General Mr Atkinson - who last night backflipped on his plan to censor internet comments on the upcoming state election - is the nation's most prominent opponent of an R18+ rating for computer games.

Such a move would require agreement from all state and federal attorneys-general.

But Mr Atkinson has written: "I have consistently opposed an R18+ classification for computer games. I am concerned about the harm of high-impact (particularly violent) computer games to children. Games may pose a far greater problem than other media – particularly films – because their interactive nature could exacerbate their impact. The risk of interactivity on players of computer games with highly violent content is increased aggressive behaviour."

Last year, Mr Atkinson welcomed a challenge in his seat by gamers who support an R18+ rating.

"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," he said.

In the last five years, 18 video games have been refused classification in Australia, including two this year - Left 4 Dead II and Risen. Left 4 Dead II has since been modified to allow an M15+ classification.

EB Games managing director Steve Wilson says the petition, which needs to be completed by February 14, is a response to the Federal Government's call for submissions on whether computer games should have the same categories as films.

"We knew as a company that we needed to act on this issue as it continues to cripple our industry and cost local jobs,'' he said.

Mr Wilson says an online poll on its website asking if customers supported the move received an overwhelming response.

In just 10 days over 50,000 people responded to the survey, with 84 per cent  or 42,854 people  saying it was time to introduce the classification.

"Our customers have sent us a message loud and clear that this is an issue that needs to be addressed,'' Mr Wilson said.

"This is not a call for violent video games, but rather a call for a better classification system that brings Australia in line with the rest of the world and other Australian entertainment industries, such as films.''

Meanwhile, the South Australian political party which launched its campaign on the issue of R-rated video games has announced two more candidates for the state election.

Gamers4Croydon now has four candidates for the March poll  in the Lower House seats of Croydon, Norwood and Adelaide and also in the Upper House.

Tom Birdseye will contest the seat of Adelaide, while David Egge will stand for Norwood.

The party previously announced Kat Nicholson would stand against Attorney-General Michael Atkinson in the seat of Croydon and Chris Prior in the Legislative Council.

Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/