And boy is it a doozey, enabling us to secure the opinion that he's an ignorant political dinosaur. To read his entire 6 page reply on the topic, be sure to have a wander over here. For those of you unaware, Mr. Atkinson is the South Australian Attorney-General, and the only man in the country holding back an R18+ rating for video games.
Here's the closing paragraph:
Quote: I am next up for election in March, 2010. The State District I represent is called Croydon. I would welcome advocates of R.18+ computer games testing public acceptance of my policy by standing a candidate against me in that general election. I think you will find this issue has little traction with my constituents who are more concerned with real-life issues than home entertainment in imaginary worlds.
As 'eXemplar' at AusGamers points out, it's a little worrying that a politician can care so little about an issue he is soley responsible for.
Now, most of us aren't going to move to Croydon just to have this chap thrown out, so how about just show your support and spread the word about the Gamers 4 Croydon website instead.
I've heard this guy on radio several time on varying topics. He stands his ground no matter what, even when he is proven on air that he is incorrect about a particular stat or opinion that he misquotes.
It is well known (in SA) that he is at odds with the DPP and is ruffing a lot of feathers, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets moved into another position even if he wins his election.
stupid cockface. we're not demanding more cruel sex and violence, we're demanding he shut the **** up and let us choose for ourselves.
the tool is kidding himself if he thinks international borders are any more of an encumbrance than state borders - it is just as easy to get a game from overseas, legally or illegally, as it is to get it from another state in the same country.
the only difference is, his version makes criminals out of EVERYONE who gets the game. the common sense version with the R18+ classification only makes criminals out of the people who sell games to minors.
Just letter box drop to his entire electorate stating he supports violent video games for minors by blocking a rating system that would restrict their sale.
i liked his comments about the rape game - because that's what all this is about, we don't care about left4dead2, it's just the weirdo japanese rape titles we really want to sneak through on an R18+ rating. This To me, more than any of his other statements, demonstrates how much he knows about this issue - no one here wants J rape games... except maybe Kagetsu ;P
Quote from Milenko;373893: "It is illegal in real life so why should we make it legal in virtual reality".
Because its, oh i dunno, NOT REAL? Cock-smoker.
ahahahahaha I didn't read any of his report but it could hardly be worth the seconds it takes to load the page let alone read it all if contains quotes like this
quick question - how many people have joined a ****ed up cult because of computer games? now how many have joined one because of books (one sec while i check scientol0gy's numbers on wikipedia...)
i only mention Scientology - because it grew from a book - as an example of how games have less impact on droid seekers than books do :P
i guess the reality of the matter is that you take what you're LOOKING for from any given medium. people who play games are generally just looking for fun.
not sure about borderlands but good point - i don't believe i will ever harbour a desire to punch the legs off a dwarf in real life, no matter how funny it is in the game. ;P
Quote from Aegis;373931: i don't believe i will ever harbour a desire to punch the legs off a dwarf in real life, no matter how funny it is in the game. ;P
and i bet if you couldnt do it in a game, you WOULD go out and do it irl. ergo, games save dwarves, why does michael atkinson hate dwarves? WHY MICHAEL WHY!?
I am next up for election in March, 2010. The State District I represent is called Croydon. I would welcome advocates of R.18+ computer games testing public acceptance of my policy by standing a candidate against me in that general election. I think you will find this issue has little traction with my constituents who are more concerned with real-life issues than home entertainment in imaginary worlds.
So basically his attitude is "I'm going to win anyway so I don't have to care about anything". What a **** head.
Why does one man hold it up? Should of the majority that voted won?
That is what happens in most councils and the parliament when voting. I think it is backward that this politician can hold up this country when most of the other countries in the world have an 18+ ruling.
From what I've read of the rating system there is really nothing stopping a 18+ plus ratting for computers games in place that would be forbidding for sale in SA(like the case with X rating movies). It is one of those cases where the states and territories have a none binding agreement to enact the legislation. All the other states and territories could agree to new guidelines allowing a R rating and adopt them effectively forcing the SA govements hand. Enacting legislation banning the sale of R rated games in more likely to get attention than not agreeing to guideline that would enable a R rating. Best I can tell the only law stopping you buying these games overseas(via steam or other means) are the same laws stopping you buying lasers pointer realistic air-soft guns and other banned toys. IE.. no illegal to posses(unless another law prevents it like with high powered laser pointers in some states) but illegal to import and sell. Although there doesn't appear to have been a case what I've seen indicates that using a overseas based download services is the same as importing.
Note I'm not a lawyer(or even friends with any) this info is compiled from wasted night spent reading the OFLC and other related web sites.