Australia: R18+ discussion paper nets over 55,000 submissions

Looks like over 55,000 people have responded to the R18+ discussion paper in Australia by the February 28 deadline.

According to Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor, the response shows a high level of interest in the rating, much to the chagrin of the Australian Christian Lobby, who is trying to block the rating due to what it feels is a connection between mature games and real-world violence.

"We believe that gaming industry claims that such a link is unproven are reminiscent of the tactics of tobacco companies in questioning the link between smoking and lung cancer," the lobby says in its March newsletter.

We agree. For example: Manhunt 2 on Wii made us more mentally ill than our pack-a-day habit. Enough to want to hurt something - but only the gaming disc because we felt slighted by the content.

Anyhow, Grow Up Australia's combined efforts with EB Games were behind the large amount of submissions, and Aussie gamers can still sign the EveryonePlays' petition at their local GAME store.

The discussion over whether to add an R18+ ratings category is scheduled for April, but it will happen after state elections in South Australia and Tasmania on March 20.

We're keeping our fingers crossed for all the Bruces and Shelias over there. Keep hope alive.

Thanks, GoNintendo.