Australian Classification Board: Difference between revisions
m (Tidy) |
|||
(4 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Image: | [[Image:Oflc au logo.gif|right]] | ||
{{wikipedia}} | {{wikipedia}} | ||
Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| The content is strong. | | The content is strong. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| rowspan="2" | [[Image:OFLC R18 Rating.png|240px]] | | rowspan="2" | [[Image:OFLC R18 Rating.png|240px]] | ||
| '''R (Restricted)''' – People under the age of 18 cannot purchase or rent the movie. | | '''R (Restricted)''' – People under the age of 18 cannot purchase or rent the movie, photo identification is required. It is also illegal to allow underage people to view this material. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| The content is of a high level. | | The content is of a high level. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| rowspan="2" | [[Image:OFLC X18 Rating.png|240px]] | | rowspan="2" | [[Image:OFLC X18 Rating.png|240px]] | ||
| '''X (Restricted)''' – People under the age of 18 cannot purchase or rent the movie | | '''X (Restricted)''' – People under the age of 18 cannot purchase or rent the movie, photo identification is needed. It is also illegal to allow underage people to view this material. This rating cannot be applied to video games. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| The X rating applies to sexually explicit material. | | The X rating applies to sexually explicit material. | ||
Line 54: | Line 52: | ||
| || '''M15+''' — '''Mature''': Material classified M15+ is not recommended for persons under 15 years of age, however there are no legal restrictions on access. | | || '''M15+''' — '''Mature''': Material classified M15+ is not recommended for persons under 15 years of age, however there are no legal restrictions on access. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| || '''MA15+''' — '''Mature Restricted''': Material classified MA15+ is considered unsuitable for persons under 15 years of age. It is a legally restricted | | || '''MA15+''' — '''Mature Restricted''': Material classified MA15+ is considered unsuitable for persons under 15 years of age. It is a legally restricted category—children under 15 cannot buy or hire an MA15+ computer game unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. | ||
|} | |} | ||
== List of GTA ratings == | == List of GTA ratings == | ||
The Classification Board has been quite harsh on the GTA series in comparison with other ratings boards. Grand Theft Auto III was originally restricted by the Classification Board who gave it a rating of "RC," but it later gained an "MA 15+" rating meaning the game could be sold in the country. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas had its "MA 15+" rating revoked after the [[Hot Coffee]] incident, resulting in the game being banned. The | The Classification Board has been quite harsh on the GTA series in comparison with other ratings boards. Grand Theft Auto III was originally restricted by the Classification Board who gave it a rating of "RC," but it later gained an "MA 15+" rating meaning the game could be sold in the country. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas had its "MA 15+" rating revoked after the [[Hot Coffee]] incident, resulting in the game being banned. The updated re-release allowed the game to regain its "MA 15+" rating. GTA IV was originally awarded a rating of '''RC''', until a censored version of the game was submitted for classification. The [[PC]] version of GTA IV, however, remained uncensored. | ||
Historically, video games could not be awarded the '''R 18+''' rating, resulting in these games been banned or censored. This is contrary to a line in the classification code which states that "adults should be able to read, hear and see what they want". As of 2013, however, this has been changed. It is therefore unknown whether [[GTA V]] will need to be censored. Some stores may not wish to sell games with the adult rating. On July 31, 2013, GTA V was rated R18+, with the consumer advice listing drug use as the main reason. This makes it he first game in the series to receive this classification. | |||
The GTA series is rated as follows: | The GTA series is rated as follows: | ||
Line 68: | Line 68: | ||
* [[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]] - '''MA 15+''' | * [[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]] - '''MA 15+''' | ||
* [[Grand Theft Auto Advance]] - '''M15+''' | * [[Grand Theft Auto Advance]] - '''M15+''' | ||
* [[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]] - '''MA 15+''' (later revoked due to Hot Coffee, | * [[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]] - '''MA 15+''' (later revoked due to Hot Coffee, updated edition given '''MA 15+''') | ||
* [[Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories]] - '''MA 15+''' | * [[Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories]] - '''MA 15+''' | ||
* [[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories]] - '''MA 15+''' | * [[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories]] - '''MA 15+''' | ||
* [[Grand Theft Auto IV]] - '''MA 15+''' (originally '''RC''', re-rated after a censored version of the game was submitted) | |||
*[[Grand Theft Auto V]]- '''R18+''' | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Line 78: | Line 80: | ||
* [[BBFC]], the British Board of Film Classification | * [[BBFC]], the British Board of Film Classification | ||
==External | ==External link== | ||
* [http://www.classification.gov.au/ | * [http://www.classification.gov.au/ The Classification Board official website] | ||
[[Category:Rating Systems]] | [[Category:Rating Systems]] |
Latest revision as of 23:37, 2 October 2013
The Australian Classification Board (ACB), formerly known as the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) is a statutory classification body which provides day to day administrative support for the Classification Board which rates films, computer games, and publications in Australia, and the Classification Review Board which reviews films, computer games and publications when a valid application has been made. Since the name was changed to ACB, the analogous New Zealand body no longer has the same, but still has the old name. Both organizations are completely separate entities and as such, ratings do differ between them.
Film and Video Game Ratings
Below or beside the picture of the classification label is a list of the reasons the product received that classification.
A rating of 'RC' denotes 'Refused Classification', where the game is effectively banned from being sold or demonstrated in the country. (there is no label as it is not a public rating)
Previous Video Game Ratings
These ratings are still shown on some older video games that are still on sale in Australia
G — General : The G classification is for a general audience. | |
G8+ — General for children over 8 years of age: Material classified G8+ may contain material which some children find confusing or upsetting, and may require the guidance of parents or guardians. It is not recommended for viewing by persons under 8 without guidance from parents or guardians. | |
M15+ — Mature: Material classified M15+ is not recommended for persons under 15 years of age, however there are no legal restrictions on access. | |
MA15+ — Mature Restricted: Material classified MA15+ is considered unsuitable for persons under 15 years of age. It is a legally restricted category—children under 15 cannot buy or hire an MA15+ computer game unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. |
List of GTA ratings
The Classification Board has been quite harsh on the GTA series in comparison with other ratings boards. Grand Theft Auto III was originally restricted by the Classification Board who gave it a rating of "RC," but it later gained an "MA 15+" rating meaning the game could be sold in the country. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas had its "MA 15+" rating revoked after the Hot Coffee incident, resulting in the game being banned. The updated re-release allowed the game to regain its "MA 15+" rating. GTA IV was originally awarded a rating of RC, until a censored version of the game was submitted for classification. The PC version of GTA IV, however, remained uncensored.
Historically, video games could not be awarded the R 18+ rating, resulting in these games been banned or censored. This is contrary to a line in the classification code which states that "adults should be able to read, hear and see what they want". As of 2013, however, this has been changed. It is therefore unknown whether GTA V will need to be censored. Some stores may not wish to sell games with the adult rating. On July 31, 2013, GTA V was rated R18+, with the consumer advice listing drug use as the main reason. This makes it he first game in the series to receive this classification.
The GTA series is rated as follows:
- Grand Theft Auto 1 - MA 15+ (M15+ on Game Boy Color)
- Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 - MA 15+
- Grand Theft Auto 2 - MA 15+
- Grand Theft Auto III - MA 15+ (originally RC)
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - MA 15+
- Grand Theft Auto Advance - M15+
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - MA 15+ (later revoked due to Hot Coffee, updated edition given MA 15+)
- Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories - MA 15+
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories - MA 15+
- Grand Theft Auto IV - MA 15+ (originally RC, re-rated after a censored version of the game was submitted)
- Grand Theft Auto V- R18+
See also
- ESRB, the United States and Canadian computer and video game rating system
- ELSPA, the former British computer and video game rating system, replaced by the PEGI ratings.
- PEGI, the European computer and video game rating system
- BBFC, the British Board of Film Classification