A plea for common sense. [UPDATED] I got my reply. 18/1/10

[Radelaide]

Finally, a reply!
Except it isn't good news. It's a form letter, like that used in a post made in the News Room section of the Escapist. The letter talks about how successful the Wii console has been and how games don't use deprived sex or gore. And I agree, for the most part but there are violent games on the Wii console as well.

I suppose for the time being, we'll have to illegally download the games, or import them from overseas. I hope people from Australia and the world write to Mr. Atkinson in a POLITE AND REASONABLE MANNER (I can't emphasise this enough) to at least put your point on the board. And if the discussion paper is still open, voice your opinions there too.

<spoiler=Original Post>As another disgruntled Australian gamer, furious over the rating system that has become such a joke not only here but overseas, I've decided to write the Honourable Michael Atkinson an email outlining the need for a change to the system, but I need your help.

You can read what I've written <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.144722?page=2#3737352>here.

UPDATE: I got a reply! The South-Australian Attorney General's office sent me a reply email today saying that someone in the office has read it, a letter has been written and signed and will be sent as soon as possible! The fantastic thing is that they didn't reply with the same topic I'd send the email with, it actually contained "R18 classification" which means someone read it. Horrah!

 

[NeutralMunchHotel]

Add in something about if they ban games, then they'll just have to ban violent films and tv shows, and music with swear words in too. If anything, children are more likely to access that media.

 

[Pimppeter2]

Doesn't sounds as persuasive as a bat to the face.

Just saying IMO.. Jk

Anyway, nice letter. You should get more people to do it

 

[Crimsane]

If these children have access to the internet, they've most likely seen far worse than they'll see in any game. On purpose. Multiple times.

 

[Simmo8591]

Nice try and I respect you for doing this... but I can see you getting a definite result unfortunately.

good luck anyway

 

[NewClassic_v1legacy]

Dear Michael Atkinson:

As I'm sure, I would not be the first person to mail you about the matter of introducing an R18+ rating into the Australian Games Industry.

It stands to reason that Australia should have a consistent rating system. There are adult-level novels, films, videos, and television shows, all of which have an adult-oriented rating. The video game industry does not. This is because of minors gaining access to the adult-oriented titles without being of the pre-requisite age.

I agree with you on many points about that issue, but the idea of blocking the rating simply because that some underage minors may get their hands on the game is completely ridiculous. Video games are not simply for children in this modern technological age. Many games are enjoyed by people over the age of 18, sensible people who deserve to be treated as adults that becoming 18 classes us as.

Consider another medium of entertainment, the film industry. Studies show that all forms of violent entertainment media (with film being one of the three primarily studied) will increase a child's likelihood of violent behavior. Studies also link alcohol-consumption and operating a motorized vehicle as increased signs of violent behavior, the effects higher for younger participants. From this data, any child that has access to their parent's DVD collection, liquor cabinet, or car keys is at a significantly higher risk of violent crime than one that is not.

Because of that risk, there is a rating system in place for adult-level film media. There are laws in place for operation of a motor vehicle, and a law in place for liquor consumption. There are not laws in place for adult-level video games, nor is there a rating for them. The idea of denying games a classification parallels introducing an alcohol prohibition or banning motor vehicles.

Mister Atkinson, you are the only attorney-general opposed to the matter concerning a great deal of adults in this country.who decide your future. I raise this point not as a threat, but as something to consider. I understand that you want to protect the children from the horrors of video games, but there are greater horrors going on without the inclusion of video games. Ask yourself: Where are the Australian Troops? Where is there great famine? Sir, all we ask is that you reconsider your position, and consider a potential need for sit down with some "gamers" and talk to them about the need for there to be a change to the system.

Made a few edits that are tentative and need some adjustments on. Otherwise, I hope I've helped a bit. The idea really is absurd, and the system is in need of changing. I'm hoping this does some good, and I'm glad I could help in whatever small way. Best of luck, and we'll see how well this goes.

 

[Et3rnalLegend64]

Add in something about if they ban games, then they'll just have to ban violent films and tv shows, and music with swear words in too. If anything, children are more likely to access that media.

If these children have access to the internet, they've most likely seen far worse than they'll see in any game. On purpose. Multiple times.

This probably wraps it up already. If he wants to get rid of violent games, he should just abolish violent/vulgar media as a whole (and get rid of the entire country's access to the net just to be safe). There's really nothing else for it. Of course, games have always been used a scapegoats for whatever crime that happened that could be remotely linked to games. This guy just seems to be one of the people convinced that all of our negative publicity is correct.

 

[Markness]

NOTE: I'm aware that I'm probably not the first person to do this, but I'm damned if I'm going to sit on my arse while my country is turned into a joke by one man refusing to listen to reason.

It is a nice idea and I think NewClassic's edit has made it a great letter. However, I think he is still unlikely to listen to reason. In fact I think it might be more useful if we write letters to people who have the potential to vote him out. In my opinion this will not be resolved until he leaves or is forced out of office.

 

[FallenJellyDoughnut]

Without a R18+ rating all their really doing is supporting piracy.

 

[Radelaide]

NOTE: I'm aware that I'm probably not the first person to do this, but I'm damned if I'm going to sit on my arse while my country is turned into a joke by one man refusing to listen to reason.

It is a nice idea and I think NewClassic's edit has made it a great letter. However, I think he is still unlikely to listen to reason. In fact I think it might be more useful if we write letters to people who have the potential to vote him out. In my opinion this will not be resolved until he leaves or is forced out of office.

I know that he probably won't listen or take it to heart, but I'm trying to do something to change the system. It's completely ridiculous that we don't have that rating. There is a desperate need for change, and I'm going to give him my two cents. The thought of flying to his offices and giving him the letter in person has crossed my mind but I lack the funds.

 

[Logic 0]

Sir, I understand trying to protect children should be a piority, But blocking out anything M
rated is voilating freedom of speech and if this continues we will be thrust back into the dark
ages again.

 

[Fire Daemon]

Mister Atkinson, you are the only person opposed to the matter concerning a great deal of adults who decide your future. I raise this point, not as a threat, but as something to think about. I understand that you want to protect the children from the horrors of video games, but there are greater horrors going on without the inclusion of video games. Ask yourself: Where are the Australian Troops? Where is there great famine? Sir, all we ask is that you sit down with some "gamers" and talk to them about the need for their to be a change to the system.

I don't agree with this paragraph, it could be better. For starters the man has stated that he believes that others agree with him and the he is not holding the R18+ rating back by himself. I believe he said so on an episode of Good Game, anyway it would be better if you get rid of that line. He might take offense to it and ignore what you have to say because to him it might feel like he is being signaled out.

Saying that there are worse things in the world isn't going to support your argument. Going by most anti-gaming logic, Kids don't watch the news while they do play video games. They also believe that video games feed directly into the mind and hence have a greater influence then TV or movies.

I think that if you want to win him over (an impressive task to say the lest) you need to do more than one paragraph. I think you might need to show that countries such as the U.K and what have you, have R18+ ratings without any problems. You would need to show that there is no scientific proof that video games damage the mind, show demographics and surveys which show that most gamers are adults.

One thing I think you have to realise is that Atkinson is holding back the R rating because he believes that in doing so he is stopping adult games reaching children. He believes that people would ignore the rating and buy adult games for children and their brains will be warped. You have to show that piracy allows for people/children to get the games anyway, but they can do it without their parents knowing. Argue that it is better that parents know what games are good and what are bad for their children rather than having left alone in the dark and have the kids playing the banned games.

Don't bother linking this to the movie rating system. No doubt he has heard that argument 100 times and has a well thought out response to that argument. Rather, you have to go for the core which is essentially protecting the kids. Show to him that withholding an R rating isn't going to help.

Don't be afraid to put in more length. This guy probably reads letters all day, remember, and I'm sure that a five page letter isn't going to scare him. He might enjoy it.

Don't forget that Atkinson isn't a stupid man. Don't treat him like an idiot, no matter what you do.

 

[Nickolai77]

Someone should do a survey on gamers and violent crime. Would i not be making an understandable assumption that gamers commit less violent crime than the national average?

 

[Radelaide]

Someone should do a survey on gamers and violent crime. Would i not be making an understandable assumption that gamers commit less violent crime than the national average?

I was hoping to find some research that shows that games improve social skills (LANs and stuff like that) and something like you've mentioned; something that shows that gamers have an outlet with violent games to work out frustrations and are less likely to commit violent acts.

Any research you could find would be a blessing <3

 

[Simalacrum]

very good letter... do try and mention some possible alternatives to outright banning of videogames as well, such as selling 18+ rated games behind the counter (not displaying them on shelves), and enforcing the need of ID for buying such games.

 

[Housebroken Lunatic]

Add in something about if they ban games, then they'll just have to ban violent films and tv shows, and music with swear words in too. If anything, children are more likely to access that media.

Don't forget to ban the internet as well...