As reported at adelaidenow.com.au, Michael Atkinson has stepped aside in the Labour Ministry in order to make way for other “talented” backbenchers.

Our thoughts:

Michael Atkinson has been a very vocal opponent of an R18+ classification for video games and whilst his views represent a percentage of the community, we don’t believe, and research supports this, that his views reflect the majority of Australians – both gamers and non gamers.

Mr. Atkinson said in his statement to the media yesterday that he “believes there should be renewal” in the front bench and he is giving an opportunity to those in the talented ranks of the Labor party to step up.  Naturally, we are hopeful that the next South Australian Attorney General has an interest in understanding the complex issue of classification and the need to create an adult category that will better protect people and enable adults to access content that is developed for them.  We look forward to working with the new South Australian  Attorney General.

In this opinion piece for The Punch, I give my thoughts on R18+ being an issue about adults, respond to some of the ACL and YMA comments and welcome Prof Anderson’s support of an R18+ classification.

To see the 7.30 Report on the highly emotive R18+ debate that aired on17 March 2010 click here

Australia, 10 March, 2010 –

Nintendo confirms that the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service have seized game copiers (commonly referred to as R4 cards) and other counterfeit Nintendo products from an importer attempting to distribute the products in Australia. This is the first Australian customs seizure of game copiers of this type.

Video game piracy continues to be a serious problem in Australia. Nintendo attributes it to the availability of game copiers, the devices that circumvent the technical protection measures embedded in the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems that enable the play of illegal Nintendo software downloaded via the Internet. Game copiers infringe Nintendo’s trademarks and copyright and breach the “circumvention device” provisions of the

Nintendo has been working with the Australian enforcement authorities to curtail the spread of piracy for more than 10 years.

The seizure in Australia follows another recent significant Nintendo action. Earlier this month, Nintendo has taken successful action in the Federal Court in Australia against an importer and online seller of game copiers establishing that these actions are illegal and the consequences are real.

Nintendo is also taking action against distributors and sellers of game copiers and other infringing devices in many other countries around the world. In some countries, successful criminal proceedings have been brought against the manufacturers, suppliers and sellers of game copiers.

For further information regarding the recent Federal court civil action against the importer and online seller of game copiers please see our Media Release dated 22 February 2010 titled “Nintendo Successfully Takes Action Against R4 Cards” which can be found at: http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=news&nid=79

For more information about Nintendo’s global anti-piracy activities, please visit: http://ap.nintendo.com

Copyright Act. For further information contact:

The R18+ Classification relating to video games and their restriction for sale in Australia poses a  complex social issue.  Daniel King and Paul Delfabbro recently published an article  in  v.29, n.1, March 2010 issue of the journal Youth Studies Australia and is reprinted with the permission of the Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies.

To read this well written piece, click here

Dr Christopher Ferguson , co-author of the paper Much Ado About Nothing: The Misestimation and Overinterpretation of Violent Vido Game Effects in Eastern and Western Nations: Comment on Anderson et al. (2010), discusses with Peta Waller-Bryant from 2SER his views on Anderson’s metastudy on violence and video games.

You can listen to Peta’s interview here:

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayFYWibyHBM

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOZ1O1Q5xvk

For those who want to read through Chris Ferguson and John Kilburns’ paper, you can find it here.

Hat tip to Aaron John from Grow Up Australia for getting this interview up on Youtube.

Following is a press release from the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Minsiter for Home Affairs dicsussing the R18+ Classification submission process (although somewhat vaguely):

THE HON BRENDAN O’CONNOR MP

 MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS 

55,000-PLUS SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED ON

R 18+ CLASSIFICATION FOR COMPUTER GAMES

(4 May 2010) Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor today welcomed the more than 55,000 submissions received in response to the R18+ Classification for Computer Games Discussion Paper.

“The response on whether the National Classification Scheme should include an R 18+ classification for computer games indicates a high level of interest in this issue in the Australian community,” Mr O’Connor said.

“It is good to see that this public consultation has generated so much interest,” Mr O’Connor said

“The submissions received in this consultation process will assist the Commonwealth and other censorship ministers’ consideration about whether an adult classification for computer games should be introduced.

“It is important to note that changes to the National Classification Code require unanimous agreement between the Commonwealth, States and Territories.”

The Attorney-General’s Department will now prepare a report on the consultation for the Standing Committee of Attorneys General.

Information about those submissions that did not request confidentiality will be made public in due course. 

The public consultation which began on 14 December 2009 has now closed.

Contact: Senior Policy and Media Adviser, Brian Humphreys 0438 595 567

Andrew Ramadge, the Technology Reporter at new.com.au reports that a group that says video games and violence are like smoking and lung cancer has received tens of thousands of dollars in funding from politician and outspoken R18+ game critic Michael Atkinson.

Imagine my surprise!!

Andrew’s full report can be found here.

There’s also a poll running on the site and here’s the result as of 2.26pm MArch 5, 2010.

 Stephanie Brantz appointed video and computer games ambassador

She might be able to keep Lucas Neill on his feet against the Italians when playing FIFA World Cup on her Xbox, but the recently appointed ambassador for the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (iGEA) still thinks leaning to one side prevents her ball from entering the gutter when playing Tenpin Bowling on Wii Sports. 

Sports reporter, Stephanie Brantz is the first ambassador appointed by the iGEA, an industry body representing Australian companies that publish, market and distribute video and computer games.

Mother of three enthusiastic gamers, Patrick (15), Lewis (10) and Lindsay (8), Stephanie is a huge advocate of a balanced regime of recreational activities including video gaming time. As ambassador, she will be involved in helping parents understand how to manage the medium to give their child the best gaming experience.

Stephanie’s appointment also follows recent sales data highlighting family games as the largest and fastest growing category and research on more and more families playing computer games together. Whilst Stephanie is a big gamer herself, she wasn‟t always as accomplished when it came to interactive gaming or exactly what games her kids were playing.

“After I discovered Lewis playing his older brothers game which wasn’t appropriate, I’ve developed a much more hands-on approach and I’ve had plenty of laughs and tears (when I beat them) along the way.  I’ve had some fantastic family challenges with the kids and my husband, Simon Hill (Fox Sports presenter). Fun aside, it also helps me know what they’re playing and for how long and it’s another way to engage in one of their interests,” Stephanie said.

Stephanie’s appointment coincides with the Federal Governments discussion paper on a proposed R18+ rating for games – a move she’s in full support of. “Video games, like film and other media, should be classified correctly so there’s no room for doubt among parents.  It’s up to parents to supervise and know what games their kids play but we need the full gamut of classification guidelines to make more informed choices.

“Previously, people have questioned whether an R18+ rating will expose Australia to unlimited high level content but this is simply not the case. The Classification Board will still refuse games that exceed the adult rating guidelines,” said Stephanie.

Ron Curry, CEO of iGEA is looking forward to Stephanie‟s insights and sharing her enthusiasm for family gaming.

When asked who the most talented gamer is in her household, Stephanie nominates Patrick (15), but adds, “I‟m the reigning household champion of all DS Brain Training games and can hold my own, and a tune on Singstar.”

A copy of iGEA‟s submission can be found at http://www.igea.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/iGEA-R18+-Submission.pdf

 Ends