Australia bans another game

This story in The Age demonstrates that Australia's classification scheme for computer games needs to be amended:

Australia's draconian classification regime for video games has taken yet another scalp, with local retailers banned from selling the upcoming shooter title Soldier of Fortune: Pay Back.

The highly anticipated game, which was to be released on PC, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, was refused classification by the Classification Board for being too violent.

Aside from Singapore, which is reviewing its classification system, Australia is understood to be the only country in the western world that does not have an R18+ rating for games.

As a result, games that do not meet the MA15+ standard - such as those with excessive violence or sexual content - are simply banned from sale.

This is despite recent figures from the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia (IEAA) showing the average Australian gamer is 28, and over 50 per cent of gamers are over the age of 18.

Read more here.