Hi all,
 
Just a quick note.
 
GAME has emailed sample petitions to every incumbent and shadow Attorney-General including the Home Affairs Minister and the Federal Attorney-General.
 
Stephen Fenech of the Daily Telegraph wrote the following article.
 
http://www.news.com.au/technology/over-41000-gamers-petition-attorneys-general-for-r18-rating/story-e6frfro0-1225845328200
 
The difference between now and when the article was written is that GAME has surpassed the 60,000 petition mark.  We’re at 61,088 signed petitions.
 
I look forward to keeping everyone informed regarding how our politicians respond to a number of my questions.
 
And, of course, asking mums and dads across Australia to sign our petition puts “People Power” front and centre before our elected representatives.
 
Best Wishes,
 
Roland

51,544 signed petitions in 4 weeks. 

“We all recognise the significant difference in maturity levels between an adult and an adolescent. It is time for the government to provide the equivalent "distance" in the classification system, the "distance" being a clear distinction between an 18 year old and a 15 year old.

This is plain to see for all parents and only with this change will parents have a clear view of what is suitable for their children.

Some games are meant for everyone and some are only meant for adults”, said Robert Lukic, Managing Director, GAME.

As of Monay, 22nd March - 3 weeks from when we first launched the petition - we've now got 41,394 signed petitions.  We're about half way from the finish line.  We need to keep the petition count on the up-and-up!  Please tell your friends and family that we don't have an R18+ PC and Video game rating....lets fix our rating system. 

TROUBLE-plagued Attorney-General Michael Atkinson has fallen on his sword to make way for fresh blood in a new Labor ministry. (Adelaide Now, 21st March, 2010)

Will Atkinson's replacement have the same view in regards to the R18+ PC and Video Game Classification? (We don't know)

We need to keep the pressure on....not only in South Australia but target every other State Attorney-General. And, we will. The more signed petitions the louder our voice, the more influence we will have.

To quote, Jeremy Jastrzab, Managing Editor, PALGN – “If you're thinking that the R18 rating is now a sure thing, think again. If anything, we have even more incentive to push this campaign forward. Now that our major obstacle has been removed, now is the time to get as many people as you know on to this campaign. There are still 3.5 weeks to go and while a lot of gamers have signed up, now's the time to get your family and friends involved.”

Our message has not changed - Protect Children from Mature-Themed Games. "Help parents in understanding which games are suitable for over 18s and which games aren't", Robert Lukic, Managing Director, GAME. (Letter sent to Atkinson and the SA, Shadow Attorney-General)

To find the nearest GAME store - http://www.game.com.au/findastore

Again, thanks for all your support!

In just two and half weeks, GAME has received 35,363 signed petitions.  We asked Atkinson for his support to help parents in understanding which games are suitable for over 18s and which games aren't.  (Around the country people unite to ensure their voice is heard in regards to introducing an R18+ PC and Video game classification)

There has recently been a post on Gamers 4 Croydon’s facebook page about GAME's support for placing their promotional material in store.

The post stated "In an email to GAME stores, a cluster manager has ordered staff not to accept our campaign materials and that the r18 petition is how they are supporting us. ie. Not at all. Email was sent to a number of stores and was cc'ed to Dean Ciccarello. No connection to Vini Ciccarello, Labor member for Norwood, I'm sure." Link

I've had a chat to a few people at GAME to get to the bottom of the problem, as it didn't sound like them - they've been incredibly supportive of us and the R18+ rating for video games.

The problem is that GAME can not support individual political parties because it is against their company by-lines and leases. GAME do support an R18+ rating for video games as it is core to their business, however as a company they are politically neutral.

They also confirmed that Dean Ciccarello is not affiliated with any party and the last name is purely a coincidence.

If you support an R18+ rating for video games, you should go into GAME stores and sign the petition. GAME are doing everything they can to support the cause!

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Australia has an R18+ rating for Movies but not for PC and Video Games.   People want our classification system to change.  Please visit your nearest Game Store and sign our petition.  We've got a long way to go.  And, announcements to be made later this week. 

Game stores are in full swing gathering petitions.  We've got a long way to go - please go to a store to sign a petition.  The current ratings classification system as it stands isn't helping to keep kids and impressionable minds from absorbing some fairly troubling material.

We received word from GAME yesterday that we received over 3000 signatures in the first 48 hours of having the petition in stores! We're looking forward to seeing this week's numbers!

Remember to get into a GAME store and get that petition signed! If you have already, help us out and spread the word with our new media. You can also become a fan on facebook and follow us on twitter from the links below.

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