Finally An Australian Senator Stands Up For Gamers
Australian Liberal Democratic Party Senator David
Leyonhjelm, spoke out against the ACB using the recent case of Outlast
2 as an example of how out of touch with society they are.
“This video game takes place in a fantasy world
involving all kinds of creatures both human and non-human,” said Leyonhjelm.
“The mere suggestion of an out-of-screen encounter between a creature and a
human character was enough to get it banned altogether by the Australian
Classification Board.”
Outlast 2 was recently refused classification due a perceived rape sequence during one of the games cut scenes.
“All of this
operates on the false assumption that people who play video games are
impressionable children who would play out anything they saw.
“Yet the internet is now awash with all manner of
unpleasant images involving real people – not computer generated
images – and violent crime around the world is in decline.”
Leyonhjelm’s description of the problematic event
in Outlast II differs with that of the Classification Board, which explained in
a report provided to IGN that, while “much of the contact between the creature
and [the player character] is obscured, by it taking place below screen, the
sexualised surroundings and aggressive behaviour of the creature suggest that it
is an assault which is sexual in nature.” When combined with the player's
character's objections the Board found the sequence constituted “a depiction of
implied sexual violence.
Leyonhjelm referred to figures from Australia’s Interactive
Games and Entertainment Association Digital 16 report, which notes that the
average age of gamers in Australia is 33. Finally I’m above average.
Claiming that very few gamers are in a position to
make or enforce the laws thanks to an “unfortunate quirk of demographics”
Leyonhjelm also explained that politicians and public servants are “blocked”
from accessing gaming websites as well as social media and entertainment sites.
“Prime
Minister Turnbull claims to have an innovation agenda, but every signal we send
to the gaming community in this country is of censorship, disapproval and
discouragement,” concluded Leyonhjelm.
“Video games do not hurt anybody, and the
Government and Classification Board should leave video gamers alone.”
According to the AGCCG ( Australian Guidelines for
Classification of Computer Games) the current R18+ rating prohibits visually
depicted sexual violence, as well as the association of incentives or rewards
for controlled drug use. Changes to classification laws in Australia require
the approval of all state attorneys-general. For its part, the Interactive Games
and Entertainment Association is still looking at reform regarding video
game classification and believes an industry-led, self-regulated rating system
is the answer.
It is anyone's guess why Leyonhjelm decided to speak
up after Outlast 2 and not Hotline Miami, but it is finally refreshing to see a
political voice in the Australian Parliament stand up for us gamers.
RoyBoy
Aussie Gamers Express