Michael Atkinson explains his stance on a R rating for games

Brendan

Michael Atkinson explains his stance on a R rating for games by Brendan

PALGN News: He hasn't changed his mind.

Gamesta · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:34 am�� Post subject:

I just can't wait till this uneducated imbecile drops dead.The world will be a better place without him in it lol.
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Camm · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:41 am�� Post subject:

Although a valid point; if we trade our freedom for protection, we do not deserve that protection in the first place.

Cham · Status: Offline Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 14 $poons: 0.00

"vulnerable adults"? Seriously? If the mental ill are unable to keep their violent gaming from spreading into the real world, then perhaps those people need a decent mental health care system to look after them. Games and movies are different. People continually notice that a movie that has X scene in it gets rating Y, but a game with the same or similar X scene in it gets rating Z or refused. Why? The explanation I hear most often is screen time, a fleeting 30 second scene in a movie is nothing, but a repeated 60 times scene in a game is a totally different thing. Atkinson says that R18+ would have a small effect on the games, but I disagree, I think many games currently classified as MA15+ or possibly even lower would be put in the R18+ rating. At least, if it was done properly they should be. The differences between the banned versions of games and the censored versions we get here in Australia are very small, leading me to suspect that the reviewers make sacrifices to allow the games in. This dilution of the ratings system is the problem, as well as its direct comparrison to the movie ratings. Parents who are not educated in games will allow their children to have games totally not suitable for them, just as there are parents who would let a 6yo watch an R rated Japanese anime, simply because "it's just a cartoon". The problem there isn't the rating system, it is doing its job in providing information about the title that a parent can use to judge its suitability for the child, however when the parent doesn't understand or ignores the information given then problems start occuring.

Benza · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:08 am�� Post subject:

prestojo · Status: Offline Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 1 $poons: 0.80

If he has an opinion about vidiogames, then he should shield his kids from them, not all of australia. i don't like the idea that I cannot play a game because of some guys paranoia, as an adult it's insulting to my maturity.

Also, an R rated game would be illegal for children to by, if you are going to play the "kids will get their hands on it anyway" argument, why not start with alcohol, cigarets and drugs; You know, the things that have actually been proven to be detrimental to an underaged persons health.

mrbign · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:14 am�� Post subject:

Itachi · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:18 am�� Post subject:

I love being told what i can and can't watch ^^ love it!
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Qbert · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:44 am�� Post subject:

"In my view, the small sacrifice is worth it."

I'm sure it's such a sacrifice for him.

Wonder if he'd actually make a small "sacrifice" of his own?
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Stevorooni · Status: Offline Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Posts: 54 $poons: 5.20

AAARGH every time I see a Michael Atkinson article I get angry. Now I'm going to be pissed off for the rest of the day.
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heatseeker · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:01 am�� Post subject:

Nietzsche · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:06 am�� Post subject:

I agree that it desensitises the act of killing a computer-generated person however in no way does it desensitise real violence. If I see an act of violence it still impacts the same way even if I never played video games

NegativeZero · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:06 am�� Post subject:

djrussell · Status: Offline Joined: 27 Jul 2008 Posts: 325 $poons: 8.80

When is this guy retiring again? Maybe in another 5-10 years ladies and gentlemen we will finally see our R18+ rating. Has anyone explained to Atkinson the fact that this isnt anything new? It's simply Australia keeping up with the rest of the world? Everyone else has it; so why is Atkinson the lone-defender when clearly theres no proof of his claims?
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Fetidchimp · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:33 am�� Post subject:

Let's face it, he is too far gone on this little bit of power he holds and most of his statements carry no factual evidence to back it up making it all down to his personal opinion, a very worrying way to hold something over a country.

"In my view, the small sacrifice is worth it."
wow. This guy is really grinding my shit.

But hey nothing like breaking down the majority for the perceived minority.
I love that, i deem a minority of you as tards so therefore you are all tards, thank you and get stuffed.
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Aftershock · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:38 am�� Post subject:

In games, it's not as though there's a button to NOT shoot. So the only real way to get out of the violence is to quit, a la leaving a cinema. So when you're watching the movie, you're effectively in control. You can make it all end, just by walking out of the cinema. Sure, it might still be playing for other others, but thats the same when you stop playing the game. Other people around the world will still be playing it.
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swatmajor1 · Status: Offline Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Posts: 14 $poons: 0.60

He really takes the fun out of games, also, he has YET to respond to my letter from 5 months ago. Here's a follow up one I just sent:

swatmajor1 · Status: Offline Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Posts: 14 $poons: 0.60

Also, I spelled check before I sent it, lol

Kaiden · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:54 am�� Post subject:

JP2daMC · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:04 am�� Post subject:

Agree or not, at least he's good enough to give his side of the story and not hide from the questions.

While I don't agree with the lack of an R rating, I do agree that very few games are getting knocked back in Australia because of it, with most of those getting passed with minor changes - Silent Hill and Dark Sector for example.
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Spanca · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:09 am�� Post subject:

South Australia: what the ****? Why do you guys keep voting for this idiot?
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nemalive · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:14 am�� Post subject:

He can't control his kids so what makes him think that he can make an educated decision and not to mention the fact that parents like himself that dont take an intrest in their kids gaming behavior really need a more complete rating systems to make beter buying decisions...to tell the truth an 18+ rating would stop parents buying these 15+ games that are border line...
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ittekimasu · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:16 am�� Post subject:

1. Old People love voting
2. Gather Old People
3. Tell old people games are corrupting youth
4.???
5. win.
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lapzod · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:18 am�� Post subject:

Most of the time, he normally has a good idea under under all the crap he's shoveling.

This time he's just lost the plot.

JP2daMC · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:22 am�� Post subject:

I think a lot of people here also forget that Attorney generals do more than worry about video games and ratings. I doubt video game violence is the number 1 reason people want him in the job or not.

Seems like there are more important issues in the world...
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