Australia's lack of an adult rating, which resulted in a de facto ban on "Left 4 Dead 2", opened up the county's debate on whether or not to finally allow an 18+ rating for video games. In order to pass such a measure, however, all of the nation's attorneys-general will need to agree on an 18+ standard when games feature sufficient amounts of violence, sex or drug use. And at least one attorney general refuses to back that rating.
"It certainly does restrict choice to a small degree, but that is the price of keeping this material from children and vulnerable adults," South Australian attorney-general Michael Atkinson told News.com.au, explaining his hard line against adult games. "In my view, the small sacrifice is worth it."
He views games as breeding grounds for criminal acts and thinks luring people into simulating crime should be off the table for publisher.
"People are participating and 'acting-out' violence and criminal behaviour when they are playing a video game," Atkinson said.
Australia does have an R rating in its film industry, but Atkinson seems to believe that games don't deserve the same treatment. His colleagues are arguing back, though, with at least one calling Australia's game ratings "out of step with the world." I'm sure many Australian gamers would have significantly less polite things to say.
Are you an Australian gamer? What do you think of Australia's ratings system? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.