THE average age of video game players in Australia is 30.
But they say governments are treating them like children because state and federal authorities are failing to agree on a ratings system.
The shooting game Aliens vs Predator, based on the film of the same name (which was rated M), was refused classification by national censors last week.
It was the 74th video game to be banned in Australia since 1995.
Most of these games have been refused classification because they include detailed instruction or promotion of violence, or rewards for drug use or sexual violence.
Unlike the film rating system, which goes to R18+, the highest classification for games in Australia is MA15+, so games deemed inappropriate for older teenagers are banned outright for all players.
Elsewhere in the developed world, including the US, the European Union and New Zealand, ratings can restrict games for use by “mature” or “adult” players only.
Kane Theodore, 27, a Sydney IT worker and passionate gamer, said governments were stuck in the mindset that video games were played by children.
“They should understand that we're not kids and we are part of an industry that is growing,” he said.
Aliens vs Predator is a “first-person shooter” game, with players able to choose between killing space creatures or human soldiers.
Many gamers blame South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson – a fierce opponent of adult classifications for games – for the delay in changing the laws.
But Mr Atkinson said “other attorneys-general who are opposed to introducing an R18+ classification are content to let me be the lightning rod for the gamers”.
A federal discussion paper on the issue was initially touted for release in the middle of this year after the state and territory attorneys-general failed to reach agreement on the issue. That paper was still “under consideration”, a spokesman for the federal Attorney-General's department said last week.
Shane Stockwell, merchandising director for retailer EB Games, said he was furious there was still no adult classification for games.
He said another shooting game, Left 4 Dead 2, had been re-edited to remove the most violent content before being released in Australia. It sold millions of copies overseas but “the numbers of games we sold you could probably count on one hand”.
“That game was an unmitigated disaster for us,” he said.
This is an example of where government should NOT be the ones to address this issue.
Also see: "Australia inviting public to make case for 18+ game ratings"
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