Australian Mums Group upset over MW2

**a_stray_bullet10** · 10-30-2009

The Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM), which looks into "building and maintaining a media environment that fosters the health, safety and well being of Australian children," has called on the Classification Board to review its 15+ rating given to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 earlier this month, reports The Age (via GamePolitics)

Controversy erupted earlier this week when a leaked video showed a level in Modern Warfare 2 in which presumed terrorists are seen killing civilians in an airport.

"The consequences of terrorism are just abhorrent in our community and yet here we are with a product that's meant to be passed off as a leisure time activity, actually promoting what most world leaders speak out publicly against," said Jane Roberts, president of the ACCM. "We understand that it's a game but ... we're not far off when you look at the images that you could actually put it on a Channel Nine news report and you'd think maybe that is real."

"If that material was on the internet about how to become a terrorist, how to join a group and how to wipe out people - that would be removed because it would not be acceptable," she added.

South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson, a leading advocate against violent games, and is often cited as one of the primary reasons the country does not have an 18+ rating, said: "Expecting game designers to be responsible by not glorifying terrorism will always lead to disappointment."

Here's what the Classification Board's notes had to say about the airport scene: "Several civilians are shot with blood burst bullet wounds; civilian corpses are strewn across the airport floor, often in stylized pools of blood; injured civilians crawl away with lengthy blood trails behind them."

But the reason the title only received a 15+ rating was because "no post mortem damage can be inflicted on victims and, in other missions in the game, killing a civilian results in mission failure," the article says.

A spokesperson for Australia's Office of Film and Literature Classification stated the Board will not review its own decisions.

Valve Software's Left 4 Dead 2 was also a target this month in Australia when the title was refused classification by the Review Board due to its graphic content. An edited version of the title was, however, finally given a 15+ rating, which is absent of any depictions of "decapitation, dismemberment, wound detail or piles of dead bodies lying about the environment."

im an Australian, and i hope all our politicians f'ing die, we need an R rating system to end this ********.

Please don't abuse the smileys ~ Vintage

**LfCpS3** · 10-30-2009

this reminds of the mother group in south park were they try to get rid of terance and phillips.
LOL that was a classic one.

**cotterill101** · 10-30-2009

this was also the case with Left 4 Dead, Oz isn't even getting Left 4 dead!

**Lirion** · 10-30-2009

It have an age 18 rating here in Sweden, if you don't want your kiddies to play it then dont buy it for them and if they buy it then take it away. Stop going after the devs, they don't seem upset over movies like SAW and all the other horror movies with mindless killing.

**vudumonkey25** · 10-30-2009

Originally Posted by LfCpS3

this reminds of the mother group in south park were they try to get rid of terance and phillips.
LOL that was a classic one.

BLAME CANADA!

Anyways, People look to far into this stuff. If I read that correctly its rated 15+ , so your telling me 15year old kids can't handle that? I bet most watch movies and I'm sure it's far worse. The raping and killing innocents all the time. They should be going after the "mums" that by it for their children that are younger then the recommended rating.

**Snooty** · 10-30-2009

Lol. I dare the OFLC to try and ban/censor MW2. The backlash would be immense. It would probably throw the r18+ debate right back into the media spotlight, something that the honorable ****** Michael Atkinson wouldn't want. As for the complaints made by this 'Mums Group' - it's simple really. If you don't want your kids playing the game, don't buy it for them. Australian adults on the other hand should be allowed to freely choose what games they want to play.

Rapture · 10-30-2009

I love how a group of a few are given the power to restrict the freedom of many.

**Smorkin Panda** · 10-30-2009

My god I wish these people who make these statements would play a video game once in their life. They just sound stupid to us gamers (and I am not in the age group that they are trying to "protect"). Just to comment on a couple of quotes;

"The consequences of terrorism are just abhorrent in our community and yet here we are with a product that's meant to be passed off as a leisure time activity, actually promoting what most world leaders speak out publicly against," said Jane Roberts, president of the ACCM. "We understand that it's a game but ... we're not far off when you look at the images that you could actually put it on a Channel Nine news report and you'd think maybe that is real."

Did they get paid to say the graphics in this game are awesome? Hehehe. But seriously do they think it really "PROMOTES" terrorism? It is part of a damned story. I mean jesus if we went with their line of thought what about movies like The Taking of Pelham 123 (the remake is about to hit DVD), does that promote me going into a subway and taking the subway car and it's passengers hostage? I mean good god. Does playing Mario promote me jumping on someone's head? That is basically what they are saying, at least my interpretation of it.

"If that material was on the internet about how to become a terrorist, how to join a group and how to wipe out people - that would be removed because it would not be acceptable," she added.

Because it is definitely training me to become a terrorist. Time to go to an airport and blow stuff up (/sarcasm), oh wait, I am not a moron and I know the difference between right, wrong, imagination, reality, etc. Man seriously these mothers give their kids no credit at all. Their kids probably don't know any better because their parents are too busy trying to "protect" everyone else's kids.

Seriously all this makes me feel bad for all you guys in Australia. I thought we had it bad with Jack Thompson (that was his name right before he was disbarred for being a moron). You guys have it way worse because people just don't get it, and it seems to be the people who have control over things (as opposed to here where Jack Thompson couldn't do anything lol).

Also I have to say, I can't believe that guy called game designers irresponsible. That is quite messed up since they make these games for a mature audience...I am pretty sure it is just these rating boards who make the mistakes.

Anyways good read and really that makes me appreciate the freedoms I have in America a lot.

**L1nux K1ng** · 10-30-2009

If they don't like the content Modern Warfare 2 holds, then that doesn't neccassarily mean they have to purchase the game. Can't they just let it release in Australia and let everyone get on with their lives? They can't just question every game what comes on the horizon...

**welshfrankie** · 10-30-2009

Oz SERIOUSLY needs an 18 classification open there, the amount of games that get screwed over because of their classification system is ridiculous.

**Stig** · 10-30-2009

Australia and Germany need to move on and just accept their pasts so that everyone can play these games without them being banned or having the red blood turned green or some such nonsense.

**Xelis** · 10-30-2009

Originally Posted by Rapture

I love how a group of a few are given the power to restrict the freedom of many.

This. Surely there are laws in Aussieland that grant people freedom rights, surely this is restricting their freedom rights.

**HarleenQuinzel** · 10-30-2009

As a mother myself: I do see where they're coming from, and the game should have an 18 or R rating I'm shocked they don't have them over there. But at the end of the day even if it was rated it's still down to the parents, and tonnes of kids who really shouldn't be are playing the game everyday. I've even heard of 9 and 10 years old playing this, and I've heard kids on microphones myself and you can tell they are way too young to be on it.

Parents who buy their kids violent and shooting games/movies/whatever when they're way too young for it need a kick up the butt. Annoys me to hell at the parents when I see/hear really young kids on games like this online.

*goo · 10-30-2009

Why doesn't someone over there take up the mantle of Australian Council on Adults and the Media (AAM)?

They need someone to start raising awareness of entertainment specifically aimed at adults. Chances are, if something is unsuitable for a child; nine times out of ten it's not intended for a child. They need to allow adults the opportunity to access media suitable for their age group.

The current classification process, as I understand it; doesn't allow them to do that.

**aLterBridge** · 10-30-2009

its rated M for Mature, if you can't handle shooting fake bullets at fake people in a fake scenario then you obviously aren't mature and shouldn't be playing this game anyway, i'm sick of people who dont even play games restricting our experience

**Skyesapaart** · 10-30-2009

If your not old enough to play a game with the rating it has, then you shouldnt be playing them. Whining like a lil girl proves you need grow up and act your age.

The people that are restricting your experience, are the same parents allowing there whining lil kids to play on it day in day out. Shouting obscenities down the mic and being lil pricks ruining it for everyone else with there high squealing voices. If thats the entertainment people require then yes you guys do need ratings.

**HarleenQuinzel** · 10-30-2009

Originally Posted by Skyesapaart

If your not old enough to play a game with the rating it has, then you shouldnt be playing them. Whining like a lil girl proves you need grow up and act your age.

The people that are restricting your experience, are the same parents allowing there whining lil kids to play on it day in day out. Shouting obscenities down the mic and being lil pricks ruining it for everyone else with there high squealing voices. If thats the entertainment people require then yes you guys do need ratings.

Amen, exactly what I was saying. It's a joke. I would never EVER let my son play a game like this until he was old and mature enough. Why parents let their way-too-young kids play **** like this is beyond me.

**Boxman** · 10-30-2009

Originally Posted by HarleenQuinzel

Amen, exactly what I was saying. It's a joke. I would never EVER let my son play a game like this until he was old and mature enough. Why parents let their way-too-young kids play **** like this is beyond me.

It's probabley because the parents just want kids to go away. As long as the kids aren't pestering them, they dont care. I think it mainly falls on this, no matter what reason the parents give.

**Schytte** · 10-30-2009

Guys, take this seriously please. It's damn insane this game got 15+, trust me, i know. I was only 10 when Vice City came out, i got it, and it was a 18+ game. I have now killed more than 20 people, and hijacked a plane. Don't let your children play these sick games, they will become killers, or terrorists in this case!

**darksora** · 10-30-2009

Originally Posted by HarleenQuinzel

As a mother myself: I do see where they're coming from, and the game should have an 18 or R rating I'm shocked they don't have them over there. But at the end of the day even if it was rated it's still down to the parents, and tonnes of kids who really shouldn't be are playing the game everyday. I've even heard of 9 and 10 years old playing this, and I've heard kids on microphones myself and you can tell they are way too young to be on it.

Parents who buy their kids violent and shooting games/movies/whatever when they're way too young for it need a kick up the butt. Annoys me to hell at the parents when I see/hear really young kids on games like this online.

Do I need a kick up my butt, then?

I'm pretty much in charge of entertainment stuff like games in the family as an older brother. My youngest brother is 9 and has played violent games like mortal kombat, god of war 1 and 2 etc.

Although I don't let them use mics online, so I understand your point on when little kids are talking online.

**Classic** · 10-30-2009

Dude..the word 'Mum' always makes me LOL

**HarleenQuinzel** · 10-30-2009

Originally Posted by darksora

Do I need a kick up my butt, then?

I'm pretty much in charge of entertainment stuff like games in the family as an older brother. My youngest brother is 9 and has played violent games like mortal kombat, god of war 1 and 2 etc.

Although I don't let them use mics online, so I understand your point on when little kids are talking online.

IMO if you were a PARENT then no offense, but yeah, though you AREN'T a parent yourself are you so it's different I guess. If you were a parent I'd be saying you definitely do need a kick up the ***, but you're a brother which is completely different. But you shouldn't let him play stuff like that, really. Unless he is very mature for his age, of course.

I wouldn't let my boy play a 15 or 18 rated game unless he was either very mature for his age or he was the age the game recommended. Not just because "they say so" but because it seems right and it's a decent guideline. Like I said unless he/she was mature enough to know whats right from wrong and that it's just a game and that you can't act like that in real life they shouldn't be on it at all.

I'd never go as far as saying the game should be banned or anything stupid crap like that though, because you can never change someone. If a parent isthat careless to let their kid play a game with tonnes of violence and shooting and what not then a rating on a game won't change that.

**Bravo9zero** · 10-31-2009

They should just rise the game rating too 18+, simple.

**Daggers21** · 10-31-2009

[QUOTE=Bravo9zero;4689815]They should just rise the game rating too 18+, simple.[/QUOty, my mom lets w.e games i wsnt, because i know its not real ,

**PsychoMantis** · 10-31-2009

These ladies should take a trip to Iraq and see the mindless torture and killing of people that's really going on, it might change their mind on the video game ALOT.