Despite one of the state Attorneys General required to change Australia's classification laws not turning up to a meeting earlier today, those present (and the Federal Government) have agreed "in principle" to institute an adults-only game rating for the country.
Having never foreseen the day games would ever need one, Australia never instituted an adults-only game rating when putting its classification laws together back in the day. Whoops. Despite several attempts in recent years to make changes, the fact several state politicians had to agree unanimously on the same thing in order to alter the laws meant the process would often end up in political limbo.
Today, though, everything appears ready to go, with the Federal Government hopeful the R18+ rating (which already exists for films) can be introduced by the end of the year.
Over the past few years a number of high-profile games have had to be either edited (Left 4 Dead 2) or been refused classification and effectively banned (Mortal Kombat) in Australia due to them being too adult for an MA15+ rating, but there being no higher rating for them to fall under.
For the full run-down on the day's events, Kotaku Australia has you covered:
- Commonwealth Will Consider Overriding NSW On R18+
- R18+: John Rau Is Sticking With Stickers
- Could We Have An R18+ Rating Before The End Of The Year?
- Brendan O'Connor And R18+: "I'm Relieved It's Over"