Atari Mocks Latest Reactionary Australian Game Ban
Says banning games like burning books
As you'll be aware, Atari's Marc Ecko's Getting Up was banned in Convictland this week, following a ruling by the increasingly sensitive Classification Review Board which considered a legally-enforced 15+ age rating insufficient to prevent the fashion designer's videogame from causing massive civil unrest.
According to a spokeswoman from the Office of Film & Literature Classification, "It is the Classification Review Board’s determination that this game promotes the crime of graffiti." The spokeswoman goes on to say that the OFLC will not rate games if they "...contain detailed instruction or promotion of matters of crime,” as we reported Tuesday.
Atari, massively displeased with what appears to be an increasing problem of over-sensitivity towards videogame content downunder, released the following statement:
According to a spokeswoman from the Office of Film & Literature Classification, "It is the Classification Review Board’s determination that this game promotes the crime of graffiti." The spokeswoman goes on to say that the OFLC will not rate games if they "...contain detailed instruction or promotion of matters of crime,” as we reported Tuesday.
Atari, massively displeased with what appears to be an increasing problem of over-sensitivity towards videogame content downunder, released the following statement:
The Australian Government's recent ruling to ban Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure is an ironic instant of Life imitating Art in that Getting Up takes place in a world where freedom of expression is suppressed by a tyrannical government. It is unfortunate that during this day and age a government will implement censorship policies which are tantamount to book burning practices from the past. Banning any form of artistic expression suppresses creativity and begs the question "Where does it end?" Atari prides itself on providing innovative entertainment experiences like Getting Up and does not condone or encourage any criminal act.
Just as classic works of art such as music, books and paintings or modern forms of entertainment such as films and television shows present fictionalized entertainment depicting stories, cultures, characters and actions that may be exaggerated versions of "real-life" people or events, video games such as Getting Up provide amusement and escape in a fantasy world where players can vicariously experience different lifestyles.
The game environment and narrative present a unique setting and look based on the lifestyle and legend of graffiti artists and their chosen art form. The look and feel of the game reflect many aspects of this culture, including its music, fashion, and language, giving the player the ability to "experience" the graffiti art form in a safe and legal setting. The focus of the game is on expression through art and Atari will vehemently fight its censorship.
Just as classic works of art such as music, books and paintings or modern forms of entertainment such as films and television shows present fictionalized entertainment depicting stories, cultures, characters and actions that may be exaggerated versions of "real-life" people or events, video games such as Getting Up provide amusement and escape in a fantasy world where players can vicariously experience different lifestyles.
The game environment and narrative present a unique setting and look based on the lifestyle and legend of graffiti artists and their chosen art form. The look and feel of the game reflect many aspects of this culture, including its music, fashion, and language, giving the player the ability to "experience" the graffiti art form in a safe and legal setting. The focus of the game is on expression through art and Atari will vehemently fight its censorship.
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Comments
schnide 20 Feb 2006 13:11
1/2
"As you'll be aware, Atari's Marc Ecko's Getting Up was banned in Convictland this week"
Spong's attempts at humour are hit and miss at the best of times, but this is just racist.
And before you bother, yes it is.
Spong's attempts at humour are hit and miss at the best of times, but this is just racist.
And before you bother, yes it is.
LUPOS 20 Feb 2006 17:42
2/2
schnide wrote:
And before you bother, yes it is.
last i checked "austalian" isnt a race... unless we are speakign of aboriginal people... but i dont think they call it australia.. so i dont think they initially answered to "australian" (could be wrong on that though)
and i would assume the intent is to point out the irony that a country founded by criminals is the most reactionary of all against a game about spray painting.
like how in america we where founded by people in search of religious freedom, then we abused and killed "savages" and now-a-days we fear all muslims... its ironic... its funny... its sad... get over it.