Unrated MMO's banned from sale in Australia

[Dommyboy]

full article - http://uk.games.ign.com/articles/950/950795p1.html

"Australia, February 3, 2009 - In a shocking move this morning, the Sydney Morning Herald has reported that Australian retailers will no longer be allowed to sell any online game that has not been classified by the Australian Classification Board.

This move directly affects games such as World of Warcraft, Warhammer Online, Age of Conan and Pirates of the Burning Seas ? titles that don't contain a single-player experience, and therefore did not apply for classification. The previous understanding was that online games, by their nature, fell outside of traditional national classifications ? a loophole that the Classifications Board want stitched up.

According to the report, a spokesperson for NSW Attorney-General John Hatzistergos said the NSW Classification Enforcement Act prohibited publishers and retailers from selling unclassified computer games. The spokesperson also encouraged individuals to report any retailer or individual found operating outside of the Classification Act of 1995.

"The NSW legislation covers computer games bought online as well as those bought in stores, and treats single, multi-player and online games the same way," he said.

Australian police will be responsible for enforcing the penalties, which range from $1100 to $11,000 for individuals and/or 12 months' imprisonment, and approximately double those figures for corporations."

Well, I'm shocked. This has really gone too far now.

 

[mooncalf]

Sale of unrated games in NSW. Not use throughout Australia.

Seriously? Anyone else feel like you're in the back seat of the Classification Authority's car, listening to them strip the transmission and wondering who the hell gave them a license?

Yes poor WoW players, but seriously, -poor retailers-. If the games have not already been classified, if this is a bigger issue than sticking some labels on boxes, then the game shops will be stuck for god knows how long with stock that has been rendered worthless. All areas of retail are feeling a crunch from people being cautious with their wallets, I can't imagine this would help.

 

[DeathSnake]

that is just stupid, i live in the uk and alwyas hear from austrailians how they also get messed up with game releases etc. but this....

How can they not look at themselves and just see how much of a stupid rule it is. its WoW for god sake!!!!, everyone shoud have the chance to play

 

[Reaperman Wompa]

Fine, just slap a m15+ rating on the games and move on. Add possible gore/language then an explanation saying gameplay varies depending on community or what ever. I don't see the big problem. But just because I'm an agreement whore 'Fuck The Government!!'

Or whatever.

 

[hebdomad]

WoW banned from Australia? *starts to party* oh hang on... completely?

Looks like New Zealand will have a massive jump in the sales of WoW then...

 

[Fire Daemon]

Fine, just slap a m15+ rating on the games and move on. Add possible gore/language then an explanation saying gameplay varies depending on community or what ever. I don't see the big problem. But just because I'm an agreement whore 'Fuck The Government!!'

Or whatever.

That is if the classification board gives MMO's a rating. They could have some rules going on that stop them from classifying pure online games meaning they can't be given a rating meaning that they can't be sold. I could have sworn that I have seen M ratings on MMO boxes though.

But yes, fuck the government!

EDIT: Can the government block the servers? They are putting together that Internet filter so it may be possible.

 

[DoW Lowen]

Wtf? I don't even play MMO's but that's ridiculous. Online experiences can not be rated for classification. Fuck the government, I'm doing something about this. *finds rifle under bed*

 

[DeadMG]

Agreed.

 

[Rhayn]

All so suddenly the cold shower I just had doesn't feel so cold anymore.

That is messed up.

 

[bkd69]

All I've got to say is piracy is bad, emkay?

I mean, really? How does this do anything other than encourage piracy?

 

[Dommyboy]

Sale of unrated games in NSW. Not use throughout Australia.

Ah, okay, though could somebody confirm it's just NSW under the heat?

 

[Raven28256]

In America, they give MMOs a rating based on the content not dependent on player interactions. That is to say, if the combat is really bloody and NPCs use really bad language when giving quests, the game will get an M rating for violence, blood and gore, and strong language. However, with ANY game that has an online component, they put a notice saying "Online interactions not rated by the ESRB." This is because it is impossible to, really. It is better or worse depending on what server you are on and the attitude of the players.

Americans never had any problems with this system...Why is it so big a deal in Australia? Oh wait...That is because their government is just a step below North Korea and China in terms of censorship. Really, this is just ridiculous. What next? Will they ban all social networking sites and instant messaging services since you will have a mixed bag in the sort of people you encounter?

Pretty soon we'll be calling you guys the People's Republic of Australia and the Union Flag in your national flag will be replaced with a Red Star and the Hammer and Sickle.

No offense to you Aussie gamers.

 

[Ryuzix]

Wow, this seems stupid, its so stupid that the stupid is rubbing off on me so now I cant respond properly.

 

[mooncalf]

Sale of unrated games in NSW. Not use throughout Australia.

Ah, okay, though could somebody confirm it's just NSW under the heat?

Could follow the article links and read them yourself... If I understand it correctly, the loophole NSW is closing doesn't exist in the legislation of the other Australian territories.

 

[Dommyboy]

Sale of unrated games in NSW. Not use throughout Australia.

Ah, okay, though could somebody confirm it's just NSW under the heat?

Could follow the article links and read them yourself... If I understand it correctly, the loophole NSW is closing doesn't exist in the legislation of the other Australian territories.

I did read them but judging by what other people have told me I thought it was Australia wide. My mistake than.

 

[Raven28256]

Exactly what is this loophole that NSW supposedly has that the other territories don't? I understand that it involves MMOs being unrated because of their online interaction but...Is it such an odd idea to just rate MMOs like they do in other countries with a warning saying that online interactions are unrated?

Even though it isn't all across Australia, it once again proves that the Australian government has some sort of grudge against gamers...

 

[The Iron Ninja]

Oh dear...

I'll just copy my response from the last time this kind of thing happened.

Australia? On behalf of your neighbour, the country known as New Zealand, I present to you our thoughts on the matter.

We offer our deepest condolences towards you and your silly government, and hope it get's well soon.

 

[systhicsfg]

In America, they give MMOs a rating based on the content not dependent on player interactions. That is to say, if the combat is really bloody and NPCs use really bad language when giving quests, the game will get an M rating for violence, blood and gore, and strong language. However, with ANY game that has an online component, they put a notice saying "Online interactions not rated by the ESRB." This is because it is impossible to, really. It is better or worse depending on what server you are on and the attitude of the players.

Americans never had any problems with this system...Why is it so big a deal in Australia? Oh wait...That is because their government is just a step below North Korea and China in terms of censorship. Really, this is just ridiculous. What next? Will they ban all social networking sites and instant messaging services since you will have a mixed bag in the sort of people you encounter?

Pretty soon we'll be calling you guys the People's Republic of Australia and the Union Flag in your national flag will be replaced with a Red Star and the Hammer and Sickle.

No offense to you Aussie gamers.

none taken this is WAY too far, and believe me aussie gamers hate the Australian government as much as the next person

 

[Cheesysuitcase]

Underground World of Warcraft selling eh? "psst buddy you wanna buy Wrath of the Litch King it's real cheep oi".