Journeyman Philosopher

I recently read an article (that can be found here) about the game Fallout 3 being banned from Australia due to graphic content.

One thing that irks me and I quote:

titles that “depict, express or otherwise deal with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena in such a way that they offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults” will be refused classification.[If something is refused classification it will not be published in the country]

This frustrates me, because no one looks past the interactive content. They see a needle or drugs and they FREAK OUT!!!! But what of the themes that line the game, if a game is filled with drugs but explains the consequences of taking them irresponsibly does this not justify its appearance in the game?

Im sick and tired of irresponsible rating methods, parenting, schooling, and teaching. Being ‘conservative’ and thinking that isolation is an effective method of education is simply idiotic.

Things need to change. The people that review need to justify a rating in light of the themes heavily laden in the games. The experts need to be as mature as the games they rate. Only then will I actually be comfortable letting my future children play games based on the ‘experts’ rating them.

For info on Fallout 3 you can find it here.