About

Site Creator

R18GamesAustralia.com was started by 25 year-old Sydneysider Luke Lawrie. Luke is currently a writer for the popular video game website Australian Gamer and co-host of the BigPond GameArena Podcast, The GAP.

Why R18+

• In Australia video games are currently reviewed under a Classification Act that was introduced 15 years ago, these classification guidelines are now extremely outdated and require a reassessment. The highest classification available to a video game in Australia is MA15+, we are the only developed country that does not have an adult classification.  Games that are unsuitable for a minor to see must be classified Refused Classification (RC).  These games may not be sold, hired, exhibited, displayed, demonstrated or advertised.
• An investigation conducted by R18GamesAustralia.com found that out of 310 games classified MA15+ by the Classification Board in the last 5 years, 257 of them were classified M17+ or higher in the U.S. & Canada (ESRB)

• The Interactive Games & Entertainment Association research indicates the current average age of computer gamers is 30 years old
• All current major consoles and the Microsoft Windows Vista / 7 operating system have parental control systems. Playing higher level content requires a PIN / password to override the limits that are set.

Refused Classification

In 2009 the following games were Refused Classification in Australia :-

Left 4 Dead 2 & Necrovision have since been reclassified after changes were made to the game, they have been rated MA15+.

Aliens VS Predator was appealed by SEGA after it was Refused Classification, the Classification Review Board later rated it MA15+, no changes were made to the game.