Australia’s largest videogame retailer has joined the movement to add an R18+ rating category for interactive entertainment Down Under.

[URL=http://www.ebgames.com.au/]EBGames[/URL] is promoting its pro R18+ stance in all 350 of its Australian storefronts, where it will display signage ([URL=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/02/eb-games-asks-australia-to-grow-up/]picture at Kotaku[/URL]) and offer shoppers the ability to sign a petition. The retailer is also promoting the cause on its website and linking to [URL=http://www.growupaustralia.com/show-your-support/r18-games-submission/]a virtual petition[/URL] for those in favor of adding the adult rating category to sign online.

[URL=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/02/eb-games-joins-campaign-for-r18-rating-for-videogames/]Kotaku reports[/URL] that EBGames did its due diligence in advance of publically supporting the issue; the company polled its customers on the issue and found that 84% were in favor of the addition of an R18+ rating category.

EB Managing Director Steve Wilson offered:

[INDENT]With the release of the Government’s discussion paper, we knew as a company that we needed to act on this issue as it continues to cripple our industry and cost local jobs. We did however want to be sure that our customers were as passionate about the matter as we are.

[/INDENT]He continued:

[INDENT]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.

[/INDENT]

[I]Thanks Andrew![/I]

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