Australian Anti-Videogame Judge Is Aware Of Opponent, Unfamiliar With Subtlety

As well as being the home of some of the world’s deadliest creatures, Australia also happens to be home to one of the world’s most pompous and hysterical anti-videogame judges. Attorney General Michael Atkinson, as part of his ongoing crusade to deny Australia an 18+ or equivalent ‘adult’ rating for videogames, has acknowledged the existence of his opposition. I can already hear you asking, in the plaintive tone of someone unfamiliar with a slow news day, why is this newsworthy? Well, it’s because the acknowledgment was accompanied by an anti-videogame slur worthy of Keith Vaz himself. In response to the news that he will be challenged in the upcoming local election, Atkinson had this to say,

The voters of Croydon will now be asked directly whether they want interactive games in which gamers score points by raping a mother and daughter, blowing themselves up, torturing human figures . . . killing people and taking drugs to improve their sporting prowess

I’m not going to defend the games he’s clearly referencing. The torture comment alludes to the Manhunt franchise, and I’m guessing that the raping of a mother and daughter is related to RapeLay (which is no longer being distributed). As for taking drugs to improve one’s sporting prowess, that one has me completely stumped. Unless Pro Evolution Soccer has become a disturbingly realistic portrayal of the seedy underbelly of football, I’m not really sure what he’s talking about. Sarcasm aside, denying an 18+ rating to videogames based on those titles is a childish, ignorant move by someone who seeks to demonise a medium by citing only its worst elements.

Via: Gamepolitics