Not happy ... the highly-anticipated psychological horror game Silent Hill: Homecoming was refused classification / Konami
INDUSTRY figures have slammed the censorship of video games in Australia and say the medium should be considered an art form like film or literature.
The latest title in the popular Silent Hill game series that spawned a feature film in 2006 was refused classification last month after failing to meet the requirements for an MA15+ rating.
The head of Australia`s video game industry body today said the decision reflected an "unfair" discrimination between rating systems for film, literature and games.
"With the average age of gamers being 28, it makes no sense to censor games to a point where they are only appropriate for a 15 year old," said Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia chief Ron Curry.
"Such censorship would not be acceptable on television, at the cinema or in print, so why apply it unfairly to another entertainment medium?"
Games retailers said they would encourage customers to "wait out" the ban, in the hope that a censored version of the game would be approved for local release a later date – as happened with Fallout 3 earlier this year.
Staff at EB Games and Game stores said customers who had pre-ordered the game would be refunded if the title remained banned.
The Silent Hill franchise is seen as a leader in the psychological horror genre of games. Previous titles in the series have included complex storylines and adult themes, as well as high-impact depictions of violence and horror.
Mr Curry said it was disappointing that a game of such "high quality" was unavailable in Australia.
"Silent Hill, from the beginning of the franchise, has been about exploring the horror genre through interactive entertainment, similar to other mediums such as movies and books," said Mr Curry.
"To have such a high quality narrative receiving a Refused Classification only further highlights the need for an immediate review of the classification system."
Mr Curry`s comments come after a recent apology to viewers from the ABC for airing "misleading" information during a debate on video game ratings, in which Q&A host Tony Jones mistakenly said games were exempt from classification.
During the program which aired on July 24 a number of high-profile panel members gave their view on violence in games.
Chief executive of the Australian Industry Group Heather Ridout said she supported the work of controversial photographer Bill Henson and that it was necessary to view art through "a different prism".
However she said she found violent video games "appalling".
"Grand Theft Auto was one of the more famous games and seemed to turn everyone into a car thief," Ms Ridout said.
"Violent games... violence, it breeds violence."
Prominent gaming journalist James Cottee this week said there seemed to be a "prejudice" against video games that ignored their artistic worth and the sense of achievement and fulfilment that people gained from playing them.
"Games are a legitimate art form just like books or film or anything else. This stigma that they`re somehow tawdry, is just that – an irrational prejudice," he said.
Cottee said the Silent Hill series was not designed for children and that an adult rating was needed to help people make informed decisions about which games they bought and allowed their children to play.
"They are pretty spooky and atmospheric and aimed at a more mature gamer, or at least one who isn`t easily frightened," he said.
"That`s why you (should) have higher ratings, so that people can make informed choices.
"I think it`s always unfair when the government makes choices for you and takes things out of your hands."
Silent Hill: Homecoming is the fourth video game to be banned in Australia this year, after Dark Sector, Shellshock 2: Blood Trails and Fallout 3.
Because there is no R18+ rating for video games, any game that exceeds a rating of MA15+ must be refused classification – making it illegal to sell in Australia.
Mr Curry said he anticipated further public input on the issue.
"The IEAA looks forward to the public consultation on the R18+ classification debate which was promised at the last Standing Committee of Attorneys-General and the redressing of this censorship anomaly," he said.
The last meeting of Attorneys-General, held in March, concluded that community views were needed to inform the Government`s position on game ratings.
The next meeting is scheduled for early November but no public consultation process has yet been launched.
I knew this to be true, that this whole matter would become an elaborate joke which REALLY needs to be rectified, R18 by its very nature says "Restricted to adults 18 years and over" which will make it harder for kids to get that stuff if its introduced, by Atkinson denying us that, he has essentially allowed kids to get their hands on games like GTA IV which SHOULD have gotten an R because MA15 only says "persons under 15 must be accompanied by an adult", real smart mate, real smart.
Posted by: Sim W 3:08pm today
Georgia Joubert -- Your comments make absolutely no sense considering the world we live in today. Your kids can access pornography on the internet at the click of a button, they can see much more violent stuff on youtube, and the scary part about that it half of what you see there is true, not computer animated. Grow UP
Posted by: Chris of QLD 3:08pm today
Your statement isn't entirely true hayden dekker of Melbourne.A person reading a horror book or viewing a horror movie has to enjoy what they are experiencing to continue reading or viewing, it is not a completely passive action.The viewer/reader always has the option to stop.This is no different than a video game.The biggest issue here is the governments right to restrict material that consenting adults can consume.Where does the government get the right to say what I can or can't ready, view or play (So long as the production of that material did not involve the exploitation of another person)?This is why we MUST have an R rating.Allowing the government to censor books, films, video games etc is a very dangerous thing!
Posted by: BobaFaux of Perth 3:07pm today
No wonder we have a shortage of quality men ......
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