EB Games lobby for Australian R rating

The EB Games chain of stores have joined the push for an R rating in Australia, posting a petition online and at each of their 350 stores nationwide.

An R rating for video games in Australia remains elusive largely thanks to the actions of one man, South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson.

Supporters of an R rating are hoping that attracting attention to the issue will put political pressure on Atkinson to change his long-held position.

Managing director of EB Games, Steve Wilson, said that "this is not a call for violent video games but rather a call for a better classification system that brings Australia in line with the rest of the world and other Australian entertainment industries, such as films."

Last year saw Australia's federal government release a discussion paper on the introduction of an R rating for video games, with most respondents being overwhelmingly in favour of this measure.

Of the 50,000 respondents to the EB Games petition, 84 per cent want to see the current system of ratings amended.