EB Games gets behind the R18+ debate

Game retailer EB Games sets up a petition to lobby the government - way to go capitalist entity!

EB Games, friend to cheap-arse gamers everywhere*, has today announced its throwing its not inconsiderable weight behind the R18 games debate - and it's supporting the move!

The company will from today feature petitions on both its website and in over 300 EB stores nationwide. This is in direct response to the government's release of the R18 discussion paper late last year.

According to EB Games' Managing Director, Steve Wilson, the reasoning behind the decision is simple.

"[We did it] because our customers asked us to," he said in a release sent to press today. "With the release of the Government's discussion paper, we knew as a company that we needed to act on this issue as it continues to cripple our industry and cost local jobs. We did however want to be sure that our customers were as passionate about the matter as we are."

Steve went on to say "This is not a call for violent video games, but rather a call for a better classification system that brings Australia in line with the rest of the world and other Australian entertainment industries, such as films."

You've got until February 14 to get your name added to the petition, so visit your local shop, or head to EB's site. We're not usually fans of EB, especially its pricing practices, but this is a move we can really get behind.

* It's irony, kids!

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19 Comments

Timmeh Feb 3, 2010 11:00 AM	This article lost me at "EB Games, friend to cheap-arse gamers everywhere".
Count Feb 3, 2010 11:01 AM	EB Games are NOT friendly to the cheap-arse gamer, where the hell did you get that load of crap? JB Hi-Fi, Game, Big W, hell, even Dick Smiths sell their games for cheaper then EB.
Hawkeye Feb 3, 2010 11:04 AM	Sheesh, seems you can't be ironic these days!
Krispy89 Feb 3, 2010 11:23 AM	You can be ironic Hawkeye, it's just some people can't seem to grasp the concept though. Besides, EB Games is possibly the most memorable to the average parent, it's a shame that the other retailers aren't interested :(
CloAkEd Feb 3, 2010 11:24 AM	Holy container ship BATMAN! Kids cant detect Sarcasm these days.
Count Feb 3, 2010 11:36 AM	Loving how the subtle addition of the new footnote that wasn't there originally makes Timmeh and me look like idiots. GJ. You dont put irony or any sort of subtle comedy into news articles or even supposedly-legit news articles. That's bad form for journalism.
Hawkeye Feb 3, 2010 11:46 AM	@Count: You must be new around these parts... or have never heard of Gonzo Journalism before. Anyway, thought the addition might help you out :)
SquallStrife Feb 3, 2010 12:11 PM	Oh snap. The only problem I can see with this, is that EB has a vested financial interest in getting a higher number of games classified in the country. Their input to the discussion may be taken with a grain of salt.
Hawkeye Feb 3, 2010 12:30 PM	While not always the case, in this instance I can't see their support hurting what we want at all. If the endpoint we want is an R18+ classification, and EB can help, I really can't see the harm. I mean, of course they're thinking of their own bottom line, but if it helps us...
31imin8r Feb 3, 2010 12:51 PM	@Count: Technically they are friendly to the cheap arse gamer because of the 7 day return, I'll admit, I do it, I payed for one game 2 months ago, I take each game back after 7 days, swap for another...rinse and repeat, I've played all the newest titles, and a couple of classics for the price of one game. Also the reason they are "expensive" is because they charge at RRP prices because....Guess what? What is their main source of income? Games! The reason why JB, Dicksmiths, Kmart (all of those stores) can be cheaper is because games represent a small portion of what they sell, if they cut 10% margin off of their games, they will make it up somewhere else like on the sale of a new TV. EB/GAME can't do that because they sell games and consoles. And stop crapping on about GAME being cheaper, GAME is in the same boat as EB, both companies charge at RRP for the same reason explained above, don't tell me i'm wrong, because I too am a customer to GAME. Besides, why bother going to JB, Kmart, Dicksmiths if you can get the same game at the same price (whoever goes to EB and DOESN'T price match is stupid)at EB AND have the option to take it back IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT within 7 days and get a full refund/exchange. Have fun trying to do that with JB/Kmart/Dick Smiths. As for your last comment: "You dont put irony or any sort of subtle comedy into news articles or even supposedly-legit news articles. That's bad form for journalism." If you don't like it, go read womans weekly, the comedy, irony and silly puns is what makes this magazine unique and enjoyable to read. go cry on the Womans weekly website about your thoughts as to what journalism should be. We're not interested.
SquallStrife Feb 3, 2010 2:08 PM	"While not always the case, in this instance I can't see their support hurting what we want at all." You're right, it couldn't hurt. It's just that Atkinson has outright dismissed comments from companies by rubbing his fingers together. So at worst, it will be ignored. At best, it's a show of confidence, that EB Games is confident in its ability to keep R18+ games out of kids' hands.
Hawkeye Feb 3, 2010 2:43 PM	You know, I no longer think that Atkinson is the one we need to convince - the fact is, nothing's going to change his mind. But the more people opposed, the more the government at large can see just how obstructive Atkinson's being, and how passionate gamers and retailers are about getting this freedom.
SquallStrife Feb 3, 2010 3:19 PM	That's a good point. I just hope that his dismissive attitude isn't reflected in the committee that will ultimately review these submissions...
thesorehead Feb 3, 2010 4:05 PM	Atkinson will not be convinced, and he has very good arguments ready to roll at the slightest invocation. The public at large aren't interested in this, and see anybody talking about free speech and parenting responsibility as some kind of hippie. That's the really worrying part, for me!
xFOADx Feb 3, 2010 4:23 PM	Atkinson did a major backdown today with his lame election laws requiring all online comments on the upcoming SA election to be accompanied by a real name and postcode. Public reaction, especially reaction by those under 45 forced him to repeal that lame-arse law.
Bundywow Feb 3, 2010 5:17 PM	Smart move by EB games, I am yet to go on a serious gaming forums from Australia and there not be a thread a month about censorship in Aus, this will certainly act as free advertising for EB.
mohawk Feb 3, 2010 5:23 PM	A major games retailer getting behind this no matter what it's end motives are is IMO, only a good thing. Now if Gerry Harvey and other big retailers got on board we may see the change to the classification system that we should of had in the first place.
MagnumXY Feb 3, 2010 6:08 PM	IMO, GAME is much more expensive than EB. "At best, it's a show of confidence, that EB Games is confident in its ability to keep R18+ games out of kids' hands." Pfft, EB would market Bloodstorm III: The Chainsaw Chronicles to fetuses if it was economically feasible.
Timmeh Feb 4, 2010 11:21 AM	ROFLMAO I love the new footnote. Thanks chief for putting it there with a touch of condescending.

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