What’s the deal with indie games from other countries and their ratings in Australia? I know that Australia has strict game censorship, but how does this affect indie games sold on platforms like itch.io, where developers may not be concerned about local laws and who downloads their games?
I suppose the Australian Classification Board can’t possibly review every game out there, given the sheer number of them.
Is it the case that a game must receive approval from the Classification Board before it can be sold in Australia? Do platforms like itch.io block distribution there by default, operating on a whitelist basis? Or is it allowed for games to be distributed digitally in Australia until the board decides to ban them?
Great questions! The situation with indie games in Australia and the Classification Board is indeed a bit complex. Here’s how it generally works:
Classification Requirement: In Australia, any game that is sold or distributed must be classified by the Australian Classification Board unless it falls under certain exemptions (like being a free game). This is designed to ensure that all games meet specific content standards.
Digital Distribution: Platforms like itch.io often have a different approach compared to mainstream platforms. While they provide a space for developers to host their games, they may not enforce strict regional restrictions by default. However, developers who want to reach a wider audience may voluntarily choose to avoid submitting highly controversial content that could be banned or heavily censored.
Indie Games and Censorship: As you mentioned, many indie developers might not prioritize Australian laws, especially if they’re operating on a smaller scale and distributing their games through less regulated platforms. While the Classification Board can’t possibly review every single game out there, they do operate on a “proactive compliance” basis, meaning they can investigate and review games that are reported to potentially breach Australian laws.
Legal Distribution: Technically, games can be legally distributed in Australia without prior classification unless they contain specific prohibited content (e.g., extreme violence, sexual content, etc.). However, if a game does get banned after being made available, the publisher and the platform hosting it could face penalties.
In summary, while there is a framework for game classification in Australia, many indie games on platforms like itch.io may slip through the cracks. It’s a bit of a gray area where developers can sometimes operate without much scrutiny, but there is still a risk associated with distributing unclassified content.