R18+ rating for video games stumbles

Nine years ago, almost to the day, the Office of Film and Literature Classification (now called the Classification Board) decreed that the global smash hit game Grand Theft Auto 3 could not be sold in Australia. The reason is the now infamous ability to kill prostitutes and recover ones money. It was an incidental side effect of gameplay mechanics but it was the first time that a lot of Australians realized games could be banned.

Around a year ago the issue was finally opened to debate by the public, with numerous political moves styming previous attempts to get the issue aired. The public discussion paper and responses sat in limbo until recently, when it was announced that today would be the day that the issue was discussed by the convocation of Attorneys General needed to pass it.

That meeting has now concluded and the decision is that Australia has to wait yet again before it gets an R18+ Rating for video games. Despite positive overtures it won't be until the Attorneys General meet again early in 2011 that the issue has any chance of being resolved.