Essential linkage: The much-hated Net Filter is now spreading its demon wings to block the purchase of un-rated games. Yippee.
We all know by now about Senator Conroy's Net Filter scheme. But did you know that it's being expanded now to stop gamers from purchasing material that's been refused rating locally overseas?
Well, it is! Asher Moses over at the SMH reported on it this afternoon. Here's an excerpt:
Australia is the only developed country without an R18+ classification for games, meaning any titles that do not meet the MA15+ standard - such as those with excessive violence or sexual content - are simply banned from sale by the Classification Board, unless they are modified to remove the offending content. So far, this has only applied to local bricks-and-mortar stores selling physical copies of games, but a spokesman for Senator Conroy confirmed that under the filtering plan, it will be extended to downloadable games, flash-based web games and sites which sell physical copies of games that do not meet the MA15+ standard.
Australia is the only developed country without an R18+ classification for games, meaning any titles that do not meet the MA15+ standard - such as those with excessive violence or sexual content - are simply banned from sale by the Classification Board, unless they are modified to remove the offending content.
So far, this has only applied to local bricks-and-mortar stores selling physical copies of games, but a spokesman for Senator Conroy confirmed that under the filtering plan, it will be extended to downloadable games, flash-based web games and sites which sell physical copies of games that do not meet the MA15+ standard.
So all you folks who buy games OS to get the games as the developers intended? Say goodbye to that.
Thank you, Steven Conroy, thank you very bloody much.
PS. Yes, I know the forums reported this first :)
Issue: 107 | December, 2009