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So so frustrated right now. In Australia this year 3 games have been banned, GTA4 (released with altered content) Dark Sector (Granted classification this week with altered content) and now Fallout 3 (Banned for the use of morphine and "realistic drug use.") All because of the Attorney General (closest US equivalent is Governor i think.) in one state is a religious nutbar who can't read any of the hundreds of surveys saying the average age of gamers in Australia is 27. The only thing that will change this is a generational change among who's in power, as long as the stigma of videogames are for kids is still around my favoured past time will be treated like child's entertainment.
The whole classification system stinks of hypocrisy. Sure it's fine to show a doctor with a pain killer addiction in prime time but I'm not allowed to play a game because it has the word morphine in it? Charred and dismembered corpses in prime time news that's a-ok, but a cartoon man decapitating a mutant is damaging? Full frontal nudity from a p o s reality show is allowed but the experience of getting a hooker is distasteful because it's a videogame?
The only person who's really losing out here is the Australian retail industry. I know i'll be importing my copy why wouldn't i, it's cheaper getting it from overseas, it gets delivered right to my door and i get the developers intended experience which is important to me. There are so many more offensive and damaging things being depicted nowadays i just can't wait for videogames to no longer be the flavour of the month social ill.
As a final addendum Josh, Eli and Denise. If you know anyone at Bethesda see if you can get them to make Fallout 3 region free makes it easier for this poor old Xbox 360 owner but i suspect that's something that is decided at the publisher level. -
Fight da powa.
Man, there are a lot of things I detest about living in America, like rightfully being blamed for most the world's problems, but there is WAY too much censorship in other countries, especially Australia and Europe. The European Union actually wants a total ban of all violent video games.
A: IT'S A FORM OF EXPRESSION YOU TRANWRECKS
B: NINETY NINE PERCENT OF ALL GAMES CONTAIN SOME FORM OF VIOLENCE, AS DO ABOUT THE SAME PERCENTAGE OF MOVIES, TV SHOWS, AND BOOKS
C: IT'S A FORM OF EXPRESSION YOU TRANWRECKS -
Yeah I'm pretty proud of America for where we are with censorship at the moment, but the FISA bill passing (giving telecoms immunity for illegal spying, expanding the president's power to wiretap without judicial approval) is a total embarassment. I'm buoyed by the fact that the Florida Bar is considering permanent disbarment for that clown Jack Thompson though.
Ferros I really feel for you. Video games will never fully grow as an art form if there is no room for adult expression. That means the occassional blood and nudity, yes. Adults need to be allowed to enjoy adult entertainment and the fact that kids play video games is irrelevant. Kids watch movies too, but good parents are aware of what their children are watching. -
Gee Mike thanks for bringing up the FISA bill and making my complaints look like such small potatoes, I'm just teasing. I've been reading about the FISA bill and that thing is scary as fucken hell. From an outsider's point of view looking in and I'm by no means across the whole American political system but it seems to me that your entire government is implicit in committing a crime and then covering it up. Republican, Democrat it doesn't matter they're all guilty from where I'm sitting, which thank god is not America. Unfortunately the leaders here in Australia have no spine and we'll end up with something similar in future I'd say. A favourite quote of mine lately and this is paraphrased is from an American, Ben Franklin i think it was. It's more apt today than it ever was "Those who trade freedom for safety deserve neither."
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A great quote that is, spoken by one that was so instrumental in the creation of our Constitution which is now being pissed on. Scary as hell is right. America is rapidly becoming a police state, and from the looks of it the UK and Canada are following suit (although I daresay London has us beat with the CCTVs). I'm horrified that Barack Obama - the supposed voice of hope - doesn't seem particularly interested in restoring the rights that Bush has taken away from us. I'm absolutely floored that Bill Clinton was impeached over a blowjob but Bush hasn't been impeached for any of the crimes he has pretty clearly committed. I can't for the life of me figure out what the hell is going on that has everyone in the government so complicit, because you're absolutely right - this crosses way over party lines. These past 8 years have been such a disaster for American politics, and sadly it looks like we're poisoning the rest of the world too. Things don't look good for democracy.
And that brings us back to the main point. Because rampant censorship is a sign that you're not in a free country. Here in the States there's discussion of opening part of the wireless spectrum to no-cost - but censored - internet service. I find that idea disgusting. The internet has thrived because of freedom and to butcher it to meet someone's arbitrary standards is pointless at best and destructive at worst. -
The only thing Barack Obama has down to earn such raucous praise from where i sit is to not be a Republican. As i said, i'm not completely across the American political system i'm just trying to give my opinion as someone who has a great interest with politics and the American leadership is the one affecting the world most significantly at the moment.
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Not being a Republican is almost enough, sadly. I do appreciate that he took a stand for Net Neutrality, something I ardently support, but now I'm not so sure that he'll back up his words. He's certainly a charismatic speaker, though, and that shouldn't be underestimated. This country is in dire need of hope, and he delivers in spades.
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In this Discussion
- Dram July 2008
- Ferros July 2008
- Mike Brady July 2008
- Rerun July 2008