Censorship ministers in March agreed to canvas public opinion on the proposed introduction of a long overdue R18+ classification for games, but are still working on the mechanisms to let Australians have their say.
A spokesperson for Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls, who fully supports the introduction of an R18+ classification, says a discussion paper is currently being prepared, but there is "no timetable yet for consultation".
The spokesperson says that when the process is underway, the public will be able to comment about the proposal via each jurisdiction's website.
Last week Atari war game Shellshock 2: Blood Trails became the second game of the year to be refused classification by the Office of Film and Literature Classification board.
Because of the lack of an "adults only" game rating in Australia, if a game is unsuitable for the highest MA15+ classification then it is refused classification and not able to be sold in Australia.
Other games refused classification in recent years include Reservoir Dogs, Dark Sector, 50 Cent Bulletproof, Postal 2 Share the Pain, Narc, The Punisher, Singles: Flirt Up Your Life, Manhunt, Shellshock Nam 67, and Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude.
The lack of an R18+ also infuriated gamers
this year when it was revealed that Grand Theft Auto IV had been censored for
sale in this country.
Ron Curry, CEO of the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia, believes that the upcoming public consultation process "will ensure that the Classification Act better reflects contemporary community standards and attitudes".
Mr Curry does not believe the public consultation process is a stalling tactic designed to placate the industry.
"I don't believe so," says Mr Curry. "Like everyone else, I'm waiting on some information from either the Federal or the Victorian Attorney-General's department.
"There is a lot of work being done in the background, particularly by the Victorian Attorney-General's department and the Justice department. But like anything, the wheels move slowly."
In March, Mr Hulls said there had been community interest for some time about reviewing the current classification scheme, which only allows computer games with a maximum classification of MA15+ to be lawfully available in Australia.
"I believe that censorship laws should strike an appropriate balance between freedom of expression and community concerns about depictions that condone or incite violence, as well as the principle that minors should be protected from material likely to harm or disturb them," he said.
Mr Hulls said an analysis of literature and research on the issue compiled by Victoria suggested there were persuasive arguments to support the introduction of an 'adult only' category of computer game classification in Australia.
"While computer games have predominantly been considered the domain of children, the most up-to-date research indicates a steadily growing trend in adult consumers of the product, with the current average age of gamers reported to be 28 years," he said.
"It seems inconsistent that in Australia, adults are allowed to view 'adult only' films which have been classified R18+ by the Classification Board, but not computer games with an equivalent high level content.
"With the increasing convergence between films and games, the different approach to classification principles is difficult to sustain. At the moment, Australia is out of step with the rest of the developed world on this issue."
The humourous video below about the lack of an R18+ games rating has been created by Alex Gabbott, who is currently doing a Diploma in Film and Television Production at North Sydney TAFE.