Australia Ratings Board Blocks F.E.A.R. 2

Monolith Productions’ upcoming horror themed first-person shooter F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin has been refused classification in Australia, effectively banning the game from sale.

Due to be released in February by Warner Bros., the original game was praised for its mix of standard shooter elements and horror sequences inspired by Asian movies like The Ring. The original was given an ‘M’ for mature rating in the U.S., with similar equivalent ratings granted in other countries.

The Australian Classification Board and Classification Review Board currently offers no information on specifically why the sequel has been refused classification; Australia again proves one of the strictest countries around the world in terms of age ratings.

The inflexibility stems from the lack of an R18+ rating for video games, despite the age rating being available for non-interactive media. As a result, the highest possible rating for a video game in Australia is MA15+. Several attempts have been made to introduce a R18+ rating for games, so far without any success.

Recent games initially refused classification in the country include Fallout 3, Dark Sector, Silent Hill: Homecoming and Shellshock 2: Blood Trails. All of these titles were later censored to meet the MA15+ restrictions, but it is so far unclear whether Warner Bros. will pursue a similar policy with F.E.A.R. 2.

Resource - Gamasutra

Video games kill driving skills, police say

VIDEO games allowing teenagers to show off in street races and crash for fun are contributing to a lack of responsibility when they drive real cars, police and experts say.

The games made teens think they were invincible and too often it was being left to police to save P-platers from themselves, New South Wales acting Superintendent Dave Evans said yesterday.

The warnings come as experts and victims' families backed raising the driver age limit to at least 18 after revelations 104 P-platers are losing their licences each day.

More than 2000 lost their licences for drink driving, speeding over 45km/h over the limit and other serious offences, while 1674 were caught breaking the speed limit by more than 30km/h.

Researchers in Germany found that men take more risks on the road after racing in video games but women did not.

"Video games can have a negative impact on young drivers because it increases their complacency and their indulgence in risk-taking behaviour," Supt Evans said.

"In games you race, you crash and it is a matter of pressing the buttons and off you go again. In real life it doesn't work that way, you can be killed."

Friends Steph Khoo and Stephanie Krautil, who were last night playing arcade racing car games in Sydney, said they understood the difference between video and real-life driving.

But the 18-year-olds admitted it could badly influence other drivers.

"I can understand mainly guy drivers who might take it a bit more seriously, especially if they're really into cars," said Ms Khoo, a P-plater.

George Institute researcher Dr Teresa Senserrick said young drivers should be handed P-plates at 18 and full restrictions lifted at 21.

Yesterday New South Wales Roads Minister Michael Daley said the "unacceptable" level of P-plate offences might lead to compulsory driver education classes.

"We need to look at other ways to try and educate our young people to slow down," he said.

"There are some driving programs in schools... but there is nothing formal."

Police have called for parents to be tougher on young drivers but a Daily Telegraph poll yesterday found 55 per cent of 1365 readers disagreed.

Resource - News.com.au

Young Aussie first to announce Android-powered handset in Australia

A small consumer electronics maker in Melbourne Australia, who’s specialty is undercutting big brands, has become the first to announce that they will be selling an Android-powered handset in Australia. While the idea doesn’t sound like the most appealing idea to many customers, his track record proves that he knows what he is doing.

Ruslan Kogan, 25 – has been selling cut-priced Kogan-branded TV sets, GPS devices as well as many other electronics on the internet for the past two and a half years. He claims to be offering his Android-powered handset by December 5th for a mere $199. Currently Aussies are purchasing the G1 on Ebay for $1,000, so this is a welcome alternative to many.

No mobile phone manufacturer has yet announced plans to release an Android-powered handset in Australia. Kogan claims his Android-powered handset will be similar to the iPhone including a touch-screen. The phone will have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and like the T-Mobile G1 a trackball for easy navigation. Kogan said, “We’ve got a few designs that we can easily choose from. We know the components that’s going to go into the phone.

The private company, Kogan Technologies has made about $8 million last year alone. The company is on track to increase sales by between $15 and $20 million this year. With such substantial growth and Android being quiet till next year, we would not be surprised if Kogan’s Android phone is a hit in Australia. For those of you located in Australia, would you buy a phone from a manufacturer such as this, or spend $1000 on an imported G1?

Resource - android community