Michael Atkinson, The most hated man in Australia (by gamers)

[Lies]

http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,28348,26370722-5014239,00.html

THE key figure blocking an adult rating for video games in Australia says he won't change his mind – and he's not afraid of a fight.

South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson – who is opposed to "depraved sex and extreme violence" in games – said he was confident his stance on game ratings would not hurt his chances of re-election.

In a letter to a member of the public, he challenged his critics to stand against him in the state seat of Croydon.

"I am next up for election in March 2010. The state district I represent is called Croydon. I would welcome advocates of R18+ computer games testing public acceptance of my policy by standing a candidate against me," he said.

"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."

A copy of the letter, dated last week, was posted on a popular website and confirmed by Mr Atkinson's office as accurate.


Mr Atkinson, who has the power to veto any changes to classification laws, has been the most vocal opponent of introducing an adult rating for games.

There is no R18+ rating for games in Australia. Any title that exceeds MA15+ must be refused classification and banned from sale.

Gamers say Australia needs a rating for adult games as popular titles become more mature in theme. There are also concerns titles are "slipping through" as MA15+ when they include material unsuitable for children.

In Australia violent shooter Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was rated MA15+, while it was rated M (17+) in the US and 18+ in the UK.

In the letter, Mr Atkinson said such examples were not a reason to introduce an adult rating.

"There may be games some people consider too violent for the MA15+ classification but the solution is not to create a classification to permit even more violent games," he said.

Mr Atkinson acknowledged the lack of an R18+ rating "restricts adult liberty to a small degree", but said it was worth it to protect children from violent games.

"Access to electronic games, once in the home, cannot be policed and therefore the games are easily accessible to children," he said.

"If adults think they can devise a lock-out system to defeat children, tell 'em they're dreaming."

Mr Atkinson also said gamers should be able to find something challenging in the range of games currently available in Australia.

"I understand the Wii console has been phenomenally successful for Nintendo and that system provides many games to challenge and develop skill, physically and intellectually, without depraved sex, gore and cruelty."

I want this man to be killed in in the most horrible, brutal and gory manner fashionable, because I can't get my fix here in australia of it without having to kill someone now that violent video games are going to be protected from me to "protect the children".

FUCK YOU ATKINSON, GO CHOKE ON A CACTUS

[P3nT4gR4m]

So lemme get this straight - do people still believe that rating something with a certain age will actually prevent anyone of any age from seeing, playing or listening to it? Is humanity so retarded it actually still believes in such notions?

[Golden Applesauce]

So lemme get this straight - do people still believe that rating something with a certain age will actually prevent anyone of any age from seeing, playing or listening to it? Is humanity so retarded it actually still believes in such notions?

The problem is, Atkinson agrees with you.  Therefore, Australia doesn't even bother rating anything above MA15+ - it just gets banned completely.

"Access to electronic games, once in the home, cannot be policed and therefore the games are easily accessible to children," he said.

"If adults think they can devise a lock-out system to defeat children, tell 'em they're dreaming."

What.  He seriously believes that no parent is capable of restricting their children's access to mature content?  Do all Aussie toddlers know how to pick locks or something?

Mr Atkinson also said gamers should be able to find something challenging in the range of games currently available in Australia.

"I understand the Wii console has been phenomenally successful for Nintendo and that system provides many games to challenge and develop skill, physically and intellectually, without depraved sex, gore and cruelty."

I... what... how... ?  So, since their are games he likes on the market, its OK that games you like aren't, since you can just play the games he likes?

[Cain]

What.  He seriously believes that no parent is capable of restricting their children's access to mature content?  Do all Aussie toddlers know how to pick locks or something?

Australians get a +2 racial bonus on lock picks, and their favoured class is rogue.

[Faust]

So lemme get this straight - do people still believe that rating something with a certain age will actually prevent anyone of any age from seeing, playing or listening to it? Is humanity so retarded it actually still believes in such notions?

Yeah, theres a huge problem with this. His stance is right until people can become better informed that being a computer game doesn't mean their snot nose automatically gets to play it.
I'm still waiting on a naked lunch rpg/fps

[Richter]

18 or 21 plus ratings or restrictions don't consistently work on smokes and booze FFS.

[The Johnny]

South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson – who is opposed to "depraved sex and extreme violence" in games – said he was confident his stance on game ratings would not hurt his chances of re-election...

"I am next up for election in March 2010. The state district I represent is called Croydon. I would welcome advocates of R18+ computer games testing public acceptance of my policy by standing a candidate against me," he said.

Stomp all over videogamers in the name of appearing more "moral", i personally think the key word is elections. This would in fact gain him more votes from the general populace than doing otherwise.

[Freeky]

What.  He seriously believes that no parent is capable of restricting their children's access to mature content?  Do all Aussie toddlers know how to pick locks or something?

Australians get a +2 racial bonus on lock picks, and their favoured class is rogue.

Nat 20 post.

[Lies]

South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson – who is opposed to "depraved sex and extreme violence" in games – said he was confident his stance on game ratings would not hurt his chances of re-election...

"I am next up for election in March 2010. The state district I represent is called Croydon. I would welcome advocates of R18+ computer games testing public acceptance of my policy by standing a candidate against me," he said.

Stomp all over videogamers in the name of appearing more "moral", i personally think the key word is elections. This would in fact gain him more votes from the general populace than doing otherwise.

I wanna see what happens when it comes to the next elections then.
He probably doesn't realize what a large percentage of voters are gamers.

[Requia ☣]

Also the votes from any free speech supporters Australia has.

[Rumckle]

Also the votes from any free speech supporters Australia has.

Not enough IMO

also, it depends on how long away the next election is, because people have been pushing for an 18+ rating on games for a while now, and the idea is constantly rejected.

Wait just re read the article, he will probably get re elected as it is a safe seat.

[Shibboleet The Annihilator]

...sooo I guess this means that aussies will have to pirate any games with this rating. Sucks for the gaming industry.

[Iason Ouabache]

South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson – who is opposed to "depraved sex and extreme violence" in games – said he was confident his stance on game ratings would not hurt his chances of re-election...

"I am next up for election in March 2010. The state district I represent is called Croydon. I would welcome advocates of R18+ computer games testing public acceptance of my policy by standing a candidate against me," he said.

Stomp all over videogamers in the name of appearing more "moral", i personally think the key word is elections. This would in fact gain him more votes from the general populace than doing otherwise.

I wanna see what happens when it comes to the next elections then.
He probably doesn't realize what a large percentage of voters are gamers.

Well fuck. If we can get Jack Thompson disbarred then surely you can get this douchebag voted out. There's no such thing as a safe seat.

[Requia ☣]

Sure there is.  Orrin Hatch's seat is so safe God could not win against him.

[P3nT4gR4m]

...sooo I guess this means that aussies will have to pirate any games with this rating. Sucks for the gaming industry.

Good for the consumer, tho. Maybe this guy does have cashed-strapped minors interests at heart after all.