How to make a submission: R18 Public Discussion

[Jeremy]

How to make a submission: R18 Public Discussion by Jeremy

PALGN Feature: All the information you need, to make a submission. UPDATE: Less than a week to go!

[View Article]

[Spanca]

Nice article Jeremy. I'll endeavour to put something together this week.
_________________

[JackSlack]

Well written.

Jeremy, do you think under 18s should make a submission? Does doing so hurt or help our cause?

[Cody Giunta]

Very well-written Jeremy and I hopet that people are able to heed your wise words on the issue, particularly what people should and shouldn't write in their submissions.

I'm really surprised with the miniscule number of people that have spoken against an R18 rating, even though I had a feeling that there would be more for it I thought the naysayers would be a lot more vocal than they are at present in voicing their opposition. Truly crushing numbers and if this gets a bit more momentum behind it and those proportions hold out it's going to be pretty hard for various talking heads to present any kind of argument that the community doesn't want a new rating system, especially in the wake of Atkinson's embarrassingly woeful appearance on Good Game.
_________________

[Jeremy]

[JackSlack]

I'll keep on shamelessly plugging my own version of this article, also.

[Fly]

On the under 18 aspect, I see no reason why it shouldn't, but at the same time a large enough group will simply provoke the same type of negative replies we've been getting anyway. It would entirely be selective however if we only "allowed" those of legal voting age to voice an opinion on the matter though.

As for mine, I took particular interest in the concept of need by an extension of the last question in the submission with incorporation. Hedging more on the aspect of choice and the inconsistency of the base line on it (proponent argument against) the encroaching elements already in existence (current classification system) and there inherent lack of it on an infringing viewpoint (gamers as rapists / parents absolved of all guilt given their child has access to the infringing material / "passing the buck" infringement on adults)

As to me it was all well and good to give questions which one can agree or disagree with, but the terminology used in some cases was open to interpretation and "need" was such a terminology. because let us face it we don't need entertainment since it is a luxury, we want it, we don't even need the classification system (perfect world scenario) but yet we need it simply because the alternative and the current system is too restrictive on general freedoms of the adult, the individual and the child.

Child gains access to material they should not.
Adult who spawned child unwillingly or otherwise promotes the problems of todays to the child.
Adult pays the price in civil liberties for said scenario, child pays the price in upbringing.

Of course, I wasn't so.. verbose or anything. But considering it is to be used for arguments sake in any event, defining terminology to highlight viewpoint and reasoning behind responses was deemed probably more important to me, since meaning generally gets lost in translation in most every case.

[mattstep]

I've made my submission
_________________

ALL THINGS PILKINGTON

[Jahanzeb]

This is a fine article here, and I encourage all the members to really read through this and send it around to anyone who can contribute to the cause.

The article has some fantastic guidelines on what you can and should write in your submission. The Do's and Don'ts listed above will really help you write up a solid argument, an argument that will surely make a difference.

I have already made my submission, and I basically covered the following two points:

[Furianshi]

[G3ck0]

Stupid articles saying it would let more violent games in. Most of the games banned areno worse than some games already out, and plus it would mainly let games be rated R instead of MA like they are now. They really need their facts straight.

[JackSlack]

Heck, we should all list our submissions here, in case anyone else wants some talking points to help them out. Just don't copy it directly, be inspired by it, don't copy it!

[Michael Kontoudis]

This article really drives home the extent to which interested gamers with an opinion should be rallying together in support of an R18+ classification for 'computer games'.

In fact, anyone with a modicum of respect for free-speech and individual liberty should take the time to write a brief submission and make themselves heard. I am presently preparing my own; as a mature adult with a genuine passion for the medium, I think it vitally important.

Terrific article, Jeremy. Let's aim to fix this sadly-broken state of affairs.

[JP2daMC]

The message of the article is simple: now is the time for action.

For all of PALGN's readers who have debated this issue over the past few years, it's time to do it again in a concise and meaningful way. By all means keep debating it among yourselves, but also make sure you put in an 'official' submission.

It's also important to put this into context; this debate isn't simply about us silly gamers getting our violent toys. This debate has greater implications for a democratic and free society which shouldn't be forced to live under archaic laws not imposed on other free and democratic societies (many with low violent crime rates like Australia).

This is as much about demonstrating to those people in positions of power that Australia's values and integrity should be shaped by society itself as a whole; not by a favoured few with vested interests and extreme, uneducated opinions.

The catch-cry of the opponents to an R rating is "think of the children". But think of the children who will be forced to live in a country where during this critical period of censorship (also including the proposed Internet filter) we handed power over to politicians and so-called family groups to judge what the values of our society should be.

If we don't speak up now, what will they censor or filter or ban next in the name of preserving the fabric of society and saving the children?

But by the same token, if you agree with the lack of an R rating, then please let them know. That's your right as a free citizen and one which a free society should respect.
_________________

“Committed to gaming mediocrity and no platinum trophies.”

[JackSlack]

FWIW, here's my honest truth opinion over what will happen:

Nothing.

But...

It benefits us to submit anyway. In the end, big numbers of submissions in favor help us. Atkinson may stonewall, but other AGs may be moved to come out publicly in favor. In the end, it helps us. I don't think we have any realistic chance of getting an R18+ rating at this juncture... especially as I'm convinced the timing of the discussion paper's release was co-ordinated to maximise distraction from the net filters. But it's worth doing anyway.

[JP2daMC]

There are other options though. The ACT's AG said there may be reason to change the laws if public opinion was strong so that the introduction of the R rating (or other popular changes) can't be stopped by one AG.

That option would take a long time, but the important thing is that we actually make the effort to show we care, otherwise why should they?
_________________

“Committed to gaming mediocrity and no platinum trophies.”

[JackSlack]

[Jeremy]

What you guys say about the lack of immediate action is quite true and this is a process that could take some time. However, we've got to persist. Think of making the submission a beginning to the process, not the end solution
_________________

[sEiFeR]

Mailed in my submission 2 weeks ago. I really hope there is a relatively quick decision on this. Also, some feedback from the gov't on this would be nice.
_________________

BUY GAMES OR THE BUNNY GETS IT

[Kimberley Ellis]

Nice read Jeremy!

I'm quite passionate about this subject, but I'll admit that I hadn't done anything to voice by opinion until today. I managed to get some work buddies to sit down with me at lunch and hash it all out. In the end we've mailed off 10 consise and mature submissions into the mix for consideration.

Let's all make the effort to put the controllers down for a second and pick up your pens so the government can hear it from out side.
_________________

[Anthony]

Fantastic article Jeremy.

As individuals, we rarely have an opportunity such as this to be heard by those in power. If you’ve ever lamented missing out on a game for the lack of an R 18 + rating, now is the time to act. You may think a single submission may not have much force, but time spent preparing a submission will add invaluably to the collective message that our system has been out of sync with the world for far too long.

If you’re tired of being ignored, put pen to paper. We should have the right to make an informed choice as to the games we play. If you can write that on paper, you’re already half way there. Simply follow the guidelines above, and you will have succeeded.
_________________

[Joseph]

Excellent article Jeremy. I'm a very passionate gamer, and it always hits me in the chest whenever I read someone opposing the R18+ rating.

I mean, come on, the military/navy/airforce and police force train people to use guns. While I know it isn't the same, it's laughable to think we have these politicians saying videogames do the same thing. In all honesty, it's like shooting a waster pistol on a hot summer's day - its all innocent fun and does nothing to alter one's mind. How many of you guys played with waterguns then went out in public shooting innocent bystanders thinking it was all a game? No one? Exactly.

Yeah, I probably could have come up with a better example, but my point is I'm a firm supporter of the R18+ rating for video games.
_________________

[THEMAN]

is R18+ as a category already happening?

Was on PSN and dante's Inferno actually had that on its page and I noticed the R18+ tag on it. Had to wonder, Is it already going ahead and well, the politicians already know its happening and well, are using it to milk votes?
_________________

[raffieltiger]

I hope they can come to a quick decision next week.

Like a poll on news.com.au I saw, I expect that roughly 95% will be in favour of the R18 rating .

They've been awfully stubborn about this, so I hope they don't pull anything.
_________________

[Gamesta]