South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson said he will appeal the MA15+ rating of Modern Warfare 2, claiming that Australia's Classification Board pulled a fast one in order to get the game into the country.
Atkinson is already infamous among gamers for his steadfast refusal to allow the creation of an R18+ videogame rating in Australia, the result of which is that games like Left 4 Dead 2, Grand Theft Auto IV, Risen and many others are either censored for Australian audiences or simply banned outright. Given all that, I was a little surprised to find that Modern Warfare 2 had been passed with an MA15+ rating. Atkinson, on the other hand, claims he wasn't surprised at all; in fact, he seems to think that the Classification Board is playing fast and loose with the rules in order to accommodate the game industry.
"This decision doesn't surprise me. The Classification Board in Australia does everything to try and get games in under the radar," he said in an interview on the radio program National Interest. But at the same time, he reiterated his support for the current age restrictions on games in Australia, saying, "Just because the system is not being applied properly, it does not mean that the principles of the system are wrong."
Atkinson told GameSpot Australia that he's never before appealed a Classification Board game rating, but said the decision to rate Modern Warfare 2 as MA15+ was simply "wrong." "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians," he said. "Expecting game designers to be responsible by not glorifying terrorism will always lead to disappointment."
I find it both amusing and slightly disturbing that Atkinson sounds almost as fed up with the Classification Board's nonsense as Australian gamers, albeit for completely different reasons. But in a twisted way, I do agree with him on the point: The Classification Board as it stands simply does not work. It makes no sense at all to refuse a classification for Silent Hill: Homecoming while letting Modern Warfare 2 into the club uncut. Despite Atkinson's assertions, however, it's not evidence of collusion with the gaming industry but rather of the arbitrary, borderline random, nature of the system.
In order for the appeal to go forward, Atkinson must request that Australia's Federal Minister for Home Affairs apply for a review of the rating to the Classification Review Board, "an independent statutory body that meets and views the material, hears any submissions from interested parties, and makes a fresh classification decision." It's unclear how long the process will take or how likely it is to succeed; the Classification Board said that government officials get the same treatment as any other "person aggrieved" who appeals a rating.
Malygris: "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians,"
This guy was one of the many reasons I couldnt live in Australia, I lasted just under a year and had to move back to Europe. The Government is just crazy
Malygris: "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians,"
Points?
Points?!
FUCKING "POINTS"?!
Well, that's just it, isn't it?
He doesn't understand the game, the way it's structured or it's content and context of said content(sorry if that last bit was confusing). And if he doesn't understand it, then he has no right to be judging what is acceptable or not in the game. It's like asking a chef to check whether a car's wheels were attached correctly or not.
Malygris: "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians,"
Points?
Points?!
FUCKING "POINTS"?!
Clearly states the ignorance which sadly exists amongst some officials.
I know the question have been asked infinitely over and over again, but why is there no 18+ rating? I mean, look to other countries with the PEGI ratings. Do we have trouble with crazies running amok with video game rage? No, we don't.
Malygris: "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians,"
Points?
Points?!
FUCKING "POINTS"?!
Are you surprised? The guy has no fucking clue anyway, just like Keith Vaz and Jack Thompson. Basically, all three of these guys rant and spew bile about something they have no clue about and won't deign to check if they're correct because that would mean actually experiencing the very things they rant about in the first place. So it's no surprise that he makes stupid comments like this about something he doesn't understand.
You can actually do that entire mission without firing a shot at civilians. So if you do, its completly the players choice. Atkinson, and politicians lack any sort of common sense what so ever.
Malygris: "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians,"
Points?
Points?!
FUCKING "POINTS"?!
ok thats it im gonna fucking kill the bastard!!!!!!1
Malygris: "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians,"
Points?
Points?!
FUCKING "POINTS"?!
Also, quite emphatically, THIS. I was going to write something but thankfully you've saved me the trouble.
Malygris: "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians,"
Points?
Points?!
FUCKING "POINTS"?!
ok thats it im gonna fucking kill the bastard!!!!!!1
You should get at least a kajillion points for doing so
Malygris: "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians,"
Points?
Points?!
FUCKING "POINTS"?!
haha, i think we all thought the same, and agree that he is as biased as Fox news, but well, i just want to see him try to take the games out of the homes of the people who already bought them
I feel sorry for you Aussies; this guy deserves to be forced to spend time around REAL homicidal maniacs. Then at least he might realize how little danger video games actually pose.
You guys need to find an ambitious lawyer and put him forward as a candidate for attorney general, just to show him you're serious. No politcian should be allowed to blatantly assault a harmless demographic like he has; certainly not in a republic(democracy, however you think of it).
Trivun: The guy has no fucking clue anyway, just like Keith Vaz and Jack Thompson. Basically, all three of these guys rant and spew bile about something they have no clue about and won't deign to check if they're correct because that would mean actually experiencing the very things they rant about in the first place.
Very much this. Mr Atkinson has pretty much openly declared war on violent video games (which is ironic when you think about it), and yet he fails to act on the first and most important rule of any kind of warfare: Know your enemy.
Somebody should make a game about a US led Nato invasion force invading and liberating Australia. And australia led by the thrid reich.
EDIT: Also somebody needs to tell MW2 critics that you're killing commie russian civilians. :D I'm pretty sure the oposition would vaporise. (This is for jk guys)
Malygris: "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians,"
Points?
Points?!
FUCKING "POINTS"?!
This is one of my favourite ever posts, and not just because it's exactly what went through the mind of everyone who read this article.
I'm not too sure about classification of games in general to be honest. I think here in Europe the PEGI ratings are generally pretty good. I might think that a few games are off, but then again I don't seem to be much affected by game content at all. I could play Little Big Planet one minute and Bioshock the next without thinking "wow, that's a lot of violence".
It also strikes me as stupid how games can receive such different ratings around the world (not that anyone pays attention to ratings, but still). For example, MW2 is 15+ in Aus, 17+ in US and 18+ in Europe (supposedly the most relaxed of the 3?)
Malygris: "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians,"
Points?
Points?!
FUCKING "POINTS"?!
ok thats it im gonna fucking kill the bastard!!!!!!1
Okay mister/missus crazy gamer but if you do manage to kill him, try head shooting him and then put a post-it or a note saying "Headshot 50 points" just to help prove his point.
The best way to get rid of him would be to go sick with a machine gun.. kill a lot of people, hand your self in to the police and say "Michael Atkinson mad me do it".
I know we can't vote him into office, but it's obvious he isn't doing or doesn't know his job. Can we demand his job be abolished... what is his job? What does he DO!?
So far he's demonstrated nothing but arrogance, ignorance and a desire to mislead the public.
If I did such a thing in my job I'd not only lose my job, I'd be thrown into jail!
Malygris: "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians,"
Points?
Points?!
FUCKING "POINTS"?!
This is one of my favourite ever posts, and not just because it's exactly what went through the mind of everyone who read this article.
I'm not too sure about classification of games in general to be honest. I think here in Europe the PEGI ratings are generally pretty good. I might think that a few games are off, but then again I don't seem to be much affected by game content at all. I could play Little Big Planet one minute and Bioshock the next without thinking "wow, that's a lot of violence".
It also strikes me as stupid how games can receive such different ratings around the world (not that anyone pays attention to ratings, but still). For example, MW2 is 15+ in Aus, 17+ in US and 18+ in Europe (supposedly the most relaxed of the 3?)
You forgot the BBFC which I think rated MW2 an 18, the BBFC are pretty relaxed when it comes to most things, however with the whole Terrorism thing I wasn't expecting a smooth reaction, to me I didn't think nothing on it, I know as a person who creates CG Models that I'm just shooting at coded polygons. I've seen far worse in movies any how but as some one said politicians don't seem to have any sort of common sense.
Malygris: "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians,"
Hahaha! Too late whack-job! And WTF is he talkin about? I did not see any points at the No Russian part. Whoah, talk about being ignorant on purpose...
Malygris: "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians,"
Points?
Points?!
FUCKING "POINTS"?!
Also, quite emphatically, THIS. I was going to write something but thankfully you've saved me the trouble.
I suppose you could accuse C&C generals of glorifying terrorism, if you were a moron. other than that... the only thing I can really think of is games allowing you to play as terrorists in multiplayer, but that's hardly 'glorifying' either.
Also, how much longer is this guy gonna be in office? Isn't there some limit to how long he can be in the government? Thirdly, how can someone who isn't elected have veto power? I call nonsense!
So because of his refusal to allow an 18 rating, and game that is rated 18 in most countries gets a 15 in Austrailia allowing miniors to play it, he has kind of shot himself in the foot here as he is indirectly responsable for this game gettting only a 15.
Malygris: "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians,"
Points?
Points?!
FUCKING "POINTS"?!
My dad used to say something similar to "I could care less if you didn't beat your high score" to me when I was a kid (he hated games, more acceptant of them now) . PC games rarely use a point system, and his ignorance on the matter was what pissed me off. He never cared to understand why I found it fun. He didn't like them therefore they didn't matter. It wasn't until I was older that he started appreciating games for the entertainment value they offer, though he still rarely plays them. He was ignorant, but thought he knew everything about them because he was a master at Breakout. Don't take this story the wrong way, I love my Dad, never question that. The point vaguely is that the people who decide what games should and should not be allowed is the gamers ( for the most part, their rating board, even if it does suck) because they are the ones actually playing it, and not an attorney (some ignorant douche bag).
Malygris: "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians,"
Points?
Points?!
FUCKING "POINTS"?!
ok thats it im gonna fucking kill the bastard!!!!!!1
You should get at least a kajillion points for doing so
BLOOD! BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD-GOD! CTHULU WORKS THROUGH VIDEO GAMES!?! AUGGGHHHHHLALALALALLALALALGHHHH *gene simmons style tongue-flailing and screaming*
This was an example of video-game rage. Note how it doesn't exist.
Except anyone who has ever played Halo, or possibly on the first ever try online on rainbow 6 vegas.
Also, I wish someone in power would notice that
Spoiler: Click to View
so it's not even like theres no whole "karma" undercurrent to the scene.
Malygris: "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians,"
Points?
Points?!
FUCKING "POINTS"?!
ok thats it im gonna fucking kill the bastard!!!!!!1
Psst mentioning killing someone for disagreeing (cause that's all he's really doing he merely has the power to do something) with us in an article about video game violence somewhat undermines our argument.
Kind of playing into his hands (which would give him a lot of "Points"
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Atkinson to Appeal Modern Warfare 2 Rating in Australia
South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson said he will appeal the MA15+ rating of Modern Warfare 2, claiming that Australia's Classification Board pulled a fast one in order to get the game into the country.
Atkinson is already infamous among gamers for his steadfast refusal to allow the creation of an R18+ videogame rating in Australia, the result of which is that games like Left 4 Dead 2, Grand Theft Auto IV, Risen and many others are either censored for Australian audiences or simply banned outright. Given all that, I was a little surprised to find that Modern Warfare 2 had been passed with an MA15+ rating. Atkinson, on the other hand, claims he wasn't surprised at all; in fact, he seems to think that the Classification Board is playing fast and loose with the rules in order to accommodate the game industry.
"This decision doesn't surprise me. The Classification Board in Australia does everything to try and get games in under the radar," he said in an interview on the radio program National Interest. But at the same time, he reiterated his support for the current age restrictions on games in Australia, saying, "Just because the system is not being applied properly, it does not mean that the principles of the system are wrong."
Atkinson told GameSpot Australia that he's never before appealed a Classification Board game rating, but said the decision to rate Modern Warfare 2 as MA15+ was simply "wrong." "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game [Modern Warfare 2] allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians," he said. "Expecting game designers to be responsible by not glorifying terrorism will always lead to disappointment."
I find it both amusing and slightly disturbing that Atkinson sounds almost as fed up with the Classification Board's nonsense as Australian gamers, albeit for completely different reasons. But in a twisted way, I do agree with him on the point: The Classification Board as it stands simply does not work. It makes no sense at all to refuse a classification for Silent Hill: Homecoming while letting Modern Warfare 2 into the club uncut. Despite Atkinson's assertions, however, it's not evidence of collusion with the gaming industry but rather of the arbitrary, borderline random, nature of the system.
In order for the appeal to go forward, Atkinson must request that Australia's Federal Minister for Home Affairs apply for a review of the rating to the Classification Review Board, "an independent statutory body that meets and views the material, hears any submissions from interested parties, and makes a fresh classification decision." It's unclear how long the process will take or how likely it is to succeed; the Classification Board said that government officials get the same treatment as any other "person aggrieved" who appeals a rating.
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