R18+ rating for video games introduced in Australia

[Andrew]

Now in effect everywhere but Queensland, though according to this rundown by GameSpot that's likely to change by the end of February.

Games that need to be re-classified may still miss out, however:

What about the games that have been refused classification in Australia in the past? Does it mean games like Mortal Kombat will be re-released with an R18+ rating?

Not necessarily. The Classification Board must wait two years before it can re-classify a title. This means it is up to individual video game publishers to decide whether or not to re-submit a game for re-classification after the two year period has passed. So, for example, Warner Bros. may not choose to re-submit Mortal Kombat for re-classification since re-releasing a game two years after its original release may not be deemed profitable.

The Classification Board may also re-classify a game if a federal minister requests this to be done.

[Kenny]

Now in effect everywhere but Queensland

Another win for the Backwards State

Might have to go to Lismore for my R18+ games.

[shadowgrin]

What's with that state? anyway? Does Queensland hate the other states or something and wants to be different from the rest?

[Kenny]

The (more) conservative party has an overwhelming majority at the moment. But yeah, it'd seem like we're hell-bent on being different. In saying that, I kind of like that we don't have daylight savings.

[Andrew]

No way, daylight savings is...well, good for some things I guess. I suppose I'm just used to the idea.

It does sound like it'll go into effect soon enough. Just a shame that previously banned titles may not end up be reclassified, though at least we shouldn't run into that problem anymore.

[benji]

Warner Bros has confirmed that it will submit Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition--released in the US in February last year--to the Australian Classification Board for classification under the newly introduced R18+ rating.

The publisher's 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot was originally banned by the Classification Board for "explicit" violence, blood spray, and limb dismemberment during fatalities, which made it unable to be accommodated within the maximum MA15+ guidelines in place at the time the game was submitted for classification.

http://uk.gamespot.com/news/warner-bros ... ia-6402414

[Andrew]

Right on. Remains to be seen whether they'll still find a way to refuse it classification but I should think it'll get the R18+ stamp.

[Andrew]

The Komplete Edition has been granted classification and can now be sold in Australia.