14 DAY TRIAL // Last week, we saw that the Australian Rating Board had stopped yet another game at its boarder by refusing to grant it a classification and, as such, banning it from sales in the country. Rebellion's upcoming Aliens vs. Predator is the one that didn't make the cut, and, while its developers were rather calm about the banning decision, they were rather dismayed. In an issued statement, the company admitted that its game was probably not meant for the faint of heart and that it was not a wise decision to let small children play, but it accused the Australian Government of looking down on its citizens and not trusting them enough to believe that they could make a proper, adult decision regarding their entrancement choices.
The number-one reason for Australia is the Attorney General Michael Atkinson, who voted against a higher rating for video gamers being approved, past the current maximum one of MA15+, when the time came. As such, the bill was denied and, while the country does have a rating of 18+ for movies, video games that are too graphic end up being rejected.
So, as such, it's no wonder that a lot of people have demanded that Atkinson be made responsible for his actions, if not by anything more, then at least an explanation. The Attorney General believes that these gamers that want access to this kind of titles are not only a rare breed, but are also malefic people that would try to harm the society.
"This is a question of a small number of very zealous gamers trying to impose their will on society. And I think harm society. It's the public interest versus the small vested interest," Atkinson said.
"I accept that 98%, 99% of gamers will tell the difference between fantasy and reality, but the 1% to 2% could go on to be motivated by these games to commit horrible acts of violence. You don't need to be playing a game in which you impale, decapitate and dismember people." You also don't need to eat cake, ice cream, quarter-pound stakes, pizza or French fries, but it is extremely satisfying when you do. It looks like Atkinson is somewhat oblivious to the concept of "fun."