NZ Chief Censor on Games Avoiding Classification

Andrew Jack, New Zealand's chief censor, has spoken against game publishers digitally distributing games that haven't gone through the country's classification process.

New Zealand law requires games that have been given a restricted rating in Australia or the UK to go be classified by the Office of Film and Literature Classification before they can be sold in New Zealand. Games with a G, PG, or M rating in Australia or the UK do not need to be locally rated.

In order to get a game classified, publishers are responsible for submitting them to the OFLC, a process that incurs a $1,400 fee. However, the rise of digital game distribution through services like Steam, the iTunes App Store, and Google Play has seen some publishers selling games in New Zealand without first having them classified. 

"As chief censor I have previously expressed the view that games, in the legislation, should be treated the same as films," said Jack. "This would see all games distributed in New Zealand carry New Zealand classification labels, and allow New Zealanders to make informed choices about what they and their children watch and play."

Jack wondered "it is perhaps time to consider" whether the game industry can continue to be trusted. 

However, Ron Curry, chief executive of the Interactive Gaming and Entertainment Association, said that Jack's idea of classifying every game is "crazy," and that government organisations should work with the industry to find a solution.

"There hasn’t been an attempt to adapt to the modern video game industry. It’s impossible to enforce classification of games so a principle scheme is the best alternative," Curry said.

Am initiative called the International Age Rating Coalition has been launched overseas, in an effort to streamline and automate the classification process. The Australian Government has approved a 12-month test of the IARC tool under the supervision of the Australian Classification Board, and Jack says he is watching the rollout "with interest."

Source: NBR