Video game ban ignites classification debate

The ban of the video game Left 4 Dead 2 from sale in Australia has reignited the debate over the lack of an R18+ video game classification in the country.

And the Attorney-Generals, who must agree before an R18+ rating for video games can be introduced, are in a stalemate over the introduction of an adult rating, which would allow Left 4 Dead 2 to be played by gamers over 18.

South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson has reiterated opposition to establishing an R18+ rating for video games.

“People are participating and ‘acting-out’ violence and criminal behaviour when they are playing a video game,” he told The Age.

But the country’s refusal to sell Left 4 Dead 2 makes it “out of step” with the rest of the world, Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls argued.

“It seems inconsistent that in Australia adults are allowed to view adult-only films which have been classified R18+ by the Classification Board, but not computer games with equivalent high-level content,” he said.