Regulation of Video games

Video games/computer games are classified in Australia under the OFLC
classifications.
They are issued with the objectives to: allow access for adults to
what they wish to see, to protect minors from harmful content, to
protect anyone who does not wish to be exposed and to address
community concerns.
       OFLC requires publishers to submit proposed rating along with a
product overview and OFLC then approves or denies proposed ratings. It
is then forwarded to The Classification Board which operates the
Federal Classification (publications, films and computer games) Act
1995. It formally classifies publications including computer/video
games. Material must be submitted to the Board for classification
before the can legally be sold, distributed and advertised. Computer
Games are classified within the following classifications: G, PG, M,
MA 15+ and RC.
       Recently, state/territory legislation has been put into place, in
which case some games are not suitable in some states. For example,
Victorian (publications, film and computer games) Act 1995,
distributes penalties for online transmission of material unsuitable
for minors.
       Classification is particularly useful to protect the promotion of
criminal, violent or sexual violent acts being exposed to minors or
individuals who may find the games offences. It ensures that any
particular class is not discriminated or represented as inferior.
       Computer Games need to pass through an age rating system
(3+,7+,12+,16+,18+) and content which encompasses discrimination,
fear, violence, sexual references and/or nudity and language are
addressed to classify the publication.
       Restrictions on computer games in other countries reflect the shape
of censorship within a particular jurisdiction. For example, Singapore
banned Mass Effect space adventure game in which a human women and
alien women kissed, in consisted with the states criminalisation of
homosexual activity between consenting adults.

Bibliography

http://www.caslon.com.au/aucensorregimesnotell.htm

http://www.caslon.com.au/censorshipguide19.htm

http://wiki.media-culture.org.au/index.php/Computer_Games_-_Australian_Classifications