Australia to ban World of Warcraft and other MMO's?

One unique trait of MMO’s (massive multiplayer online) is that the games carry no classification (15+, 18+ etc), because it’s impossible to rate online interactions. Now the Attorney-Generals office is New South Wales have pointed out that the NSW Classification Enforcement Act prohibits publishers and retailers from selling unclassified games, thereby making most game stores in the state an instant criminal.

The Intereractive Entertainment Association of Australia, however, believes that games with no single player portion should be exempt from carrying a rating.

The NSW police, no doubt keen not to waste recourses on enforcing the law, are encouraging members of the community to contact local police if they see retailers selling these MMO’s.

So, virtually every game store across Australia is now effectively breaking the law.

Source

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[edit on Wed Feb 11 2009 by Jbird]

Awesome.

First our failure of a ratings system refuses to create a R rating for games, effectively having most of the more mature games banned until the developer makes sweeping changes (Fallout 3, Grand Theft Auto 4 etc).

Now, they've decided in all their wisdom, that since the game is exempt from classification, it makes it illegal to play.

Well done.

What will they do next?

Ban consoles because they use electricity?

Damn what silly laws........

I guess you guys import games a lot haha.

reply to post by _Phoenix_


Gaming is like a sin in Australia, seriously.

We pay like 160% inflated prices due to all the laws and tariffs, not to mention the ridiculous censorship of gorier games.

A brand new PC game here cost approx. $70 US. It's retarded.

Hahaha. And they call Australia a Democracy?

You guys have freedom over there?

WTF is going on there?

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
Hahaha. And they call Australia a Democracy?

You guys have freedom over there?

WTF is going on there?

Obviously people voted on those laws. There are plenty of laws I don't agree with in America, but I don't say LOL AND U CALL AMERICA A DEMOCRACY?

Me, I tried to buy 500 gold and nothing happens to my account, they did not discovered, thank God. They should know the hardship of leveling-up your character.

Why don't they just allow gold seller to tie up with them, for sure a lot of gamers will be happier to play the game. You know, less grinding of wow gold and that's an additional profit for bliz. Peace out ^_^