R18+

I'm in a book store, as I tend to be. Something shiny in the corner of my eye catches my attention. I tilt my head to the side, to discover once again that the book in question is American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis, encased in shrink wrap, restricted to those 18 years and older. I take a step back, looking for anything else similarly restricted. Once again, I fail to see anything. If you can think of another novel sold in Australia with an R18+ rating, let me know in the comments.

The frequency with which I act out that story shows that at least one R-rated book has artistic merit. I don't think it's terribly disputed that an R18+ film can have artistic merit. The R-rated films I own are: A Clockwork Orange, Fight Club, Mad Max (the first one, my favourite), Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs. All great movies.

But something odd happens when you come to games.

There is no R18+ for games. If a 15 year old can't deal with what you present, you either self-censor, or you are banned from sale, courtesy of a government classification scheme. For reference, the average age of gamers in Australia is 28. The best case scenario is that the whole world has to deal with the same editing, as happened when Fallout 3 called morphine 'morphine'.

The root of the problem is the source of freedom of speech in Australia. It is not guaranteed, but rather implied by the vibe of the Constitution. Since every Australian citizen must vote, every Australian citizen must be informed, hence political speech is protected. That's it.

Public discussion of the subject has been repeatedly vetoed by South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson. Just discussion, let alone reform.

The given reason, needless to say, is that the people who would buy these games are unable to distinguish the violence and sex (but no other elements) featured in games (but no other media) from comparable situations in the real world.

The evidence so far would suggest that gaming can, to varying degrees, increase short-term frustration, irritability and, yes, aggression. But honestly, if that camper is frustrating you, he's not doing a very good job. Challenge and immersion in one activity leads to irritability in other endeavours. As a side note, I am intrigued by Roger Ebert's idea of games as sport rather than art, but I think a duality is more accurate.

Of course, I'm not denying that there will always be a mentally unbalanced few who act out atrocities 'inspired' by their favourite work of art.

The application of simple logic is one way around this. So far it hasn't worked so well. A second way would be a R18+ worthy game with undeniable artistic merit, on the order of Fight Club, Pulp Fiction or The Godfather. A third way would be game somehow worthy of the rating without relying on violence or sex. I don't know if that's even possible. Only with an R18+ film might graphic violence not even make the warning information, if overshadowed by other elements.

Of course censorship is increasing in all areas in Australia. The mandatory internet filter has been delayed (indefinitely I hope). Rule 34 is illegal (and I'm pretty sure the reason child pornography is illegal is supposed to be because it cannot be made legally). And the party the standing up to this kind of thing? The Australian Sex Party. Good grief.

Finally, why is fifteen the be-all and end-all of maturity? I already regret half the stuff I did when I was fifteen.