Gfted1 Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 Link Aussie Online MMO ControversyRetailers no longer allowed to sell unrated online games. by Patrick Kolan, IGN AU 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 "I'm your biggest fan, Ill follow you until you love me, Papa"
Purkake Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 It's no big deal. They just figured out that online games should also get a rating instead of the ESRB "your experience might change during online play". I doubt that most MMOs would need to be refused classification because they are not appropriate for people under 15 or whatever. Their classification system is still a joke, though.
Gfted1 Posted February 4, 2009 Author Posted February 4, 2009 I dont see how they could possibly come up with a classification. Due to its online nature and the fact that you play with other people, "your experience might change during online play" seems the only possible choice. "I'm your biggest fan, Ill follow you until you love me, Papa"
Purkake Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 I dont see how they could possibly come up with a classification. Due to its online nature and the fact that you play with other people, "your experience might change during online play" seems the only possible choice. Ah the Australians, always making new challenges for themselves. Once that crazy board get's something in their sights they won't stop until it is banned from the country. I can't see them doing anything about digital distribution, though. It is about retail sales only, right?
taks Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 how would they stop digital distributions without implementing china-ware anyway? the whole ratings thing seems... misplaced - to me anyway. taks comrade taks... just because.
Gfted1 Posted February 4, 2009 Author Posted February 4, 2009 "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. "I'm your biggest fan, Ill follow you until you love me, Papa"
Purkake Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 "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. Reading comprehension fail on my part. Well, they were talking about having ISPs block all porn(or only the bad porn) a while back. The easiest way would be to convince the sellers to not sell to Australian IPs. Blizzard complied with China's crazy demands without protest(game time limiter and whatnot) so I guess it is technically possible, but fully implementing it will be a technical nightmare. Also the pirates will always find a way, Australia would get a few more pirate WoW servers and the only real loser will be the government for spending money on it and the companies if they comply with their crazy ban. So good luck Australia, I feel for all the gamers there.
qt3.14159 Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 I'm going to have to agree that "rating" an online game is a really, really bad thing to do. If you rate it Teen, which would be about right, you're going to have clueless parents that think that it's OK for their kids to play without understanding what it is. The online interactions can crank it up the adult content so much, it's not even funny. My kids both play WoW and so far, I haven't worried about what they've been exposed to, because they've been in guilds with me and other relatives. However, my daughter has just decided to join a guild that belongs to a friend from school..... so it looks like I'm going to be putting a new toon in this other guild.... whee... Anybody here catch that? All I understood was 'very'.
Killian Kalthorne Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 For a country founded by criminals they seem to have a lot of politicians with sticks up their ass. "Your Job is not to die for your country, but set a man on fire, and take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe."
Purkake Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 For a country founded by criminals they seem to have a lot of politicians with sticks up their ass. Maybe they're overcompensating?
Tigranes Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 They will not be banned, stop falling for retarded journalists. Despite the press the AU censorship board gets for FO3 and the like, I know them quite well and they aren't that bad. Let's Play: Icewind Dale Ironman (Complete) Let's Play: Icewind Dale II Ironman (Complete) Let's Play: Divinity II (Complete) Let's Play: Baldur's Gate Trilogy Ironman - BG1 (Complete) Let's Play: Baldur's Gate Trilogy Ironman - BG2 (In Progress)
Calax Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 I think you can give a rating on a Online only game, but you need to make sure that people know it's for the GAMES content, not the player generated content. Victor of the 5 year fan fic competition! Kevin Butler will awesome your face off.
Purkake Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 I think you can give a rating on a Online only game, but you need to make sure that people know it's for the GAMES content, not the player generated content. But then the rating wouldn't be accurate, now would it? Either you rate the whole thing or you say that the rating "may vary"
Tigranes Posted February 5, 2009 Posted February 5, 2009 No, you rate the game content then add the caveat. Let's Play: Icewind Dale Ironman (Complete) Let's Play: Icewind Dale II Ironman (Complete) Let's Play: Divinity II (Complete) Let's Play: Baldur's Gate Trilogy Ironman - BG1 (Complete) Let's Play: Baldur's Gate Trilogy Ironman - BG2 (In Progress)
Kaftan Barlast Posted February 5, 2009 Posted February 5, 2009 So are they going to end up labeling every MMO 18+ now because of the chance that someone might say **** over ventrilo? DISCLAIMER: Do not take what I write seriously unless it is clearly and in no uncertain terms, declared by me to be meant in a serious and non-humoristic manner. If there is no clear indication, asume the post is written in jest. This notification is meant very seriously and its purpouse is to avoid misunderstandings and the consequences thereof. Furthermore; I can not be held accountable for anything I write on these forums since the idea of taking serious responsability for my unserious actions, is an oxymoron in itself. Important: as the following sentence contains many naughty words I warn you not to read it under any circumstances; botty, knickers, wee, erogenous zone, psychiatrist, clitoris, stockings, bosom, poetry reading, dentist, fellatio and the department of agriculture. "I suppose outright stupidity and complete lack of taste could also be considered points of view. "
Purkake Posted February 5, 2009 Posted February 5, 2009 No, you rate the game content then add the caveat. I understand that, but aren't MMO already rated for the content with the caveat added? What would this change then? Or is it that they don't rate MMOs in Australia but do in the States? So are they going to end up labeling every MMO 18+ now because of the chance that someone might say **** over ventrilo? The thing in Australia is that they don't have a game rating over 15+ (IIRC), so any game that would get a higher rating is instead "not rated" and thus not allowed to be sold in the country.
Tigranes Posted February 5, 2009 Posted February 5, 2009 I understand that, but aren't MMO already rated for the content with the caveat added? What would this change then? Or is it that they don't rate MMOs in Australia but do in the States? That is what has happened, according to the article. "titles that don't contain a single-player experience, and therefore did not apply for classification." Let's Play: Icewind Dale Ironman (Complete) Let's Play: Icewind Dale II Ironman (Complete) Let's Play: Divinity II (Complete) Let's Play: Baldur's Gate Trilogy Ironman - BG1 (Complete) Let's Play: Baldur's Gate Trilogy Ironman - BG2 (In Progress)
Purkake Posted February 5, 2009 Posted February 5, 2009 (edited) I understand that, but aren't MMO already rated for the content with the caveat added? What would this change then? Or is it that they don't rate MMOs in Australia but do in the States? That is what has happened, according to the article. "titles that don't contain a single-player experience, and therefore did not apply for classification." Go games journalism! Much ado about nothing Moving on... Edited February 5, 2009 by Purkake
Humodour Posted February 5, 2009 Posted February 5, 2009 They will not be banned, stop falling for retarded journalists. Despite the press the AU censorship board gets for FO3 and the like, I know them quite well and they aren't that bad. This. It's amazing how overblown people can make something like this.
Morgoth Posted February 5, 2009 Posted February 5, 2009 Well, sucks to be in Australia. Rain makes everything better.
Deadly_Nightshade Posted February 6, 2009 Posted February 6, 2009 MMOs are NOT banned. "Geez. It's like we lost some sort of bet and ended up saddled with a bunch of terrible new posters on this forum." -Hurlshot
Aristes Posted February 6, 2009 Posted February 6, 2009 MMOs are NOT banned. Another public service announcement from Deadly Nightshade. Many thanks.
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