Maybe I’m naïve when it comes to gaming but I never thought the release of a video game would ever receive widespread media attention. Yet Grand Theft Auto 4 has certainly had its share over the last few months.
The game was released worldwide at midnight on April 29th but its Australian gamers won’t have quite the same experience as others.
Why? Here in Australia the highest classification standard for a video game is MA15+ but with its explicit nature and passion for gratuitous violence Grand Theft Auto 4 earns an R18+ rating.
Meaning the games content was censored to meet Australian classification standards.Here’s where I like so many others it seems have a problem.
If Ron Curry is right and the average age of a gamer is 28 then why should they be denied the right to play the original game?
It seems to me video game classification standards are out of sync with society. After all movies are subject to an R18+ classification, as are alcohol, gambling products and tobacco.
The cries of those in favour of keeping the R-rating restriction seem to me to be very ‘Helen Lovejoy’esk in essence. “Won’t somebody please think of the children?”
For those not familiar Helen Lovejoy is the painstakingly conservative wife of Reverend Lovejoy in the popular Simpsons cartoon.
By no means am I advocating children should have access to these kinds of games nor do I think adult gamers should be denied.
If adequate precautions and sales avenues are enforced I don’t see why and R18+ rating shouldn’t be introduced to video games in Australia.
There may be relief around the corner for avid gamers with the Federal Government acknowledging the issue and raising it for discussion late last month.
Who knows, the restrictions may soon be lifted paving the way for gamers to enjoy games like Grand Theft Auto 4 in there gun toting glory.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Fuel prices to tip $2?
When we’re not worrying about rising mortgages and rent prices it’s the cost of fuel that’s hurting our bank balances.
Experts are warning we could be facing a national petrol crisis within seven years and we need to prepare for the worst.
“We’ve got a potential crude oil fuel crisis coming, as well as going into an era of very high petrol and diesel prices,” says Renewable Fuels Australia spokesperson Bob Gordon.
Cheap Tuesday’s already seem to be a thing of the past, with Brisbane’s unleaded prices today peaking at 141.9 in Milton.
Brisbane’s north was comparatively cheaper at 125.5.
Is it perhaps worth travelling that little bit further for your fuel?
How far would you drive for a 16c/litre saving?
And would anybody like to bet against fuel prices hitting the $2 mark by the end of the year? I’ve got $500 on it – at least I stand to win a tank of fuel!
Experts are warning we could be facing a national petrol crisis within seven years and we need to prepare for the worst.
“We’ve got a potential crude oil fuel crisis coming, as well as going into an era of very high petrol and diesel prices,” says Renewable Fuels Australia spokesperson Bob Gordon.
Cheap Tuesday’s already seem to be a thing of the past, with Brisbane’s unleaded prices today peaking at 141.9 in Milton.
Brisbane’s north was comparatively cheaper at 125.5.
Is it perhaps worth travelling that little bit further for your fuel?
How far would you drive for a 16c/litre saving?
And would anybody like to bet against fuel prices hitting the $2 mark by the end of the year? I’ve got $500 on it – at least I stand to win a tank of fuel!
New SBS logo - good or bad thing?
SBS is getting a new $1 million logo.
But communication experts think the new image won't help the station in its battle for better ratings. After all, the ABC is still facing strong opposition to their new logo, which changed earlier this year.
But SBS says the community recommended a logo change.
I'm of two minds. On one hand, I believe modernising the company's image could expand its audience and attract younger viewers.
On the other, the new logo could upset the older audiences - SBS's core market - and therefore disadvantage the company.
So - what do you think?
Is the image change just what the SBS needs? Or are academics right in arguing the change will only hurt the station when it comes to ratings?
But communication experts think the new image won't help the station in its battle for better ratings. After all, the ABC is still facing strong opposition to their new logo, which changed earlier this year.
But SBS says the community recommended a logo change.
I'm of two minds. On one hand, I believe modernising the company's image could expand its audience and attract younger viewers.
On the other, the new logo could upset the older audiences - SBS's core market - and therefore disadvantage the company.
So - what do you think?
Is the image change just what the SBS needs? Or are academics right in arguing the change will only hurt the station when it comes to ratings?
Friday, April 18, 2008
17 cm heels the latest fashion must have
The latest towering heels are taking fashion to new heights. Louis Vuitton’s 17 cm heels are the highest heels in the history of fashion.
The heels are going to be hitting stores late this Autumn and already there is a waiting list.
Women are increasingly investing in the latest catwalk trends and recently the more outrageous heels the bigger statement you make.
But famed footwear designer Manolo Blahnik says heels as high as Vuitton's are over the top, and it is time people come back to reality.
He suggests going no higher then an 11.5 cm heel.
Brisbane podiatrist Rachel Bradhurst admits to popping on a pair of heels every now and then, but also draws the line at a 17 cm heel. She says it is absolute insanity and a danger to wear.
Ms Bradhurst warns heels can cause serious long-term pain in the wearers.
Serious fashion addicts could suffer from the humble bunion to bone deformities to extreme curvature of toes that sometimes require surgery.
I’m not sure that I will go to such lengths to keep up with the fashion trends. How about you? Will you invest in a pair? Check them out by clicking here.
The heels are going to be hitting stores late this Autumn and already there is a waiting list.
Women are increasingly investing in the latest catwalk trends and recently the more outrageous heels the bigger statement you make.
But famed footwear designer Manolo Blahnik says heels as high as Vuitton's are over the top, and it is time people come back to reality.
He suggests going no higher then an 11.5 cm heel.
Brisbane podiatrist Rachel Bradhurst admits to popping on a pair of heels every now and then, but also draws the line at a 17 cm heel. She says it is absolute insanity and a danger to wear.
Ms Bradhurst warns heels can cause serious long-term pain in the wearers.
Serious fashion addicts could suffer from the humble bunion to bone deformities to extreme curvature of toes that sometimes require surgery.
I’m not sure that I will go to such lengths to keep up with the fashion trends. How about you? Will you invest in a pair? Check them out by clicking here.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
YouTube to pay star film-makers
Australian YouTube film-makers are set to make money with the expansion of the website's advertising program.
Producers have been challenged to cash in on their creativity.
The only criteria are your videos must be original and suitable for streaming, your own original work and you must upload regularly.
While McCann-Erickson media coordinator Louisa Ainsworth has told Alexia Osborn it is open to the idea, others are not.
Australian Design Studio director Panorea has labelled the site’s content unethical and will not advertise because it may harm its reputation.
QUT Creative Industries lecturer Axel Bruns says it may change the style and format of the website as videos may be influenced by money.
So what does this mean for YouTube? I’m not sold on the idea.
On one hand I think it is a money-spinning concept for the website, which may ultimately compromise its independence due to commercialisation.
On the other, we may see a rise of a new kind of film industry for the better. It will be a whole new outlet for the creative class to test their skills and earn some cold hard cash.
So what do you think? Better get uploading...
Check out the concept by clicking here.
Producers have been challenged to cash in on their creativity.
The only criteria are your videos must be original and suitable for streaming, your own original work and you must upload regularly.
While McCann-Erickson media coordinator Louisa Ainsworth has told Alexia Osborn it is open to the idea, others are not.
Australian Design Studio director Panorea has labelled the site’s content unethical and will not advertise because it may harm its reputation.
QUT Creative Industries lecturer Axel Bruns says it may change the style and format of the website as videos may be influenced by money.
So what does this mean for YouTube? I’m not sold on the idea.
On one hand I think it is a money-spinning concept for the website, which may ultimately compromise its independence due to commercialisation.
On the other, we may see a rise of a new kind of film industry for the better. It will be a whole new outlet for the creative class to test their skills and earn some cold hard cash.
So what do you think? Better get uploading...
Check out the concept by clicking here.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Parents may be punished to stop truancy
Under anti-truancy laws proposed by the New South Wales Government parents will face a hefty fine or even jail time for not sending their children to school.
In recent days the radical legislation has been met with both harsh criticism and surprising levels of support.
Civil libertarian David Bernie has told QUT’s Brylee Clelland he is firmly against the proposed legislation and says the reforms are unacceptable.
However, the move has also received support with many pointing to the success of similar laws enforced overseas.
Everybody seems to be taking a side on this one so feel free to join in. I will get the ball rolling and suggest the legislation is a little extreme.
As a master of the ‘sickie’ my parents would still be in prison if it was applied to me.
In recent days the radical legislation has been met with both harsh criticism and surprising levels of support.
Civil libertarian David Bernie has told QUT’s Brylee Clelland he is firmly against the proposed legislation and says the reforms are unacceptable.
However, the move has also received support with many pointing to the success of similar laws enforced overseas.
Everybody seems to be taking a side on this one so feel free to join in. I will get the ball rolling and suggest the legislation is a little extreme.
As a master of the ‘sickie’ my parents would still be in prison if it was applied to me.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Taser guns in Brisbane
Taser guns were introduced today at Dutton Park police station.
All on-duty officers at the Brisbane station will be equipped with the weapons during the three month trial.
The NSW Civil Liberties Union's vice-president, David Bernie has told QUT’s Nick Underhill about the concerns surrounding the increased usage of Tasers.
However Dutton Park’s Senior Sergeant Greg Bishop says his officers have been given the appropriate weapons training.
Will the trial be successful? Will the Queensland police force be as lethal with the weapons as law enforcement agencies in the US?
Hopefully not…
All on-duty officers at the Brisbane station will be equipped with the weapons during the three month trial.
The NSW Civil Liberties Union's vice-president, David Bernie has told QUT’s Nick Underhill about the concerns surrounding the increased usage of Tasers.
However Dutton Park’s Senior Sergeant Greg Bishop says his officers have been given the appropriate weapons training.
Will the trial be successful? Will the Queensland police force be as lethal with the weapons as law enforcement agencies in the US?
Hopefully not…
Water restrictions
The Queensland Water Commission’s water strategy plan has been posted on their website.
Permanent water restrictions, desalination plants and recycled water projects are among just some of the proposals.
Environmentalist and architect Lucia Wellington has told QUT’s Tys van der Drift water restrictions are very important, despite the recent wet weather.
But Paul Lucas, the state’s Infrastructure Minister, wants community input before considering the proposal.
Better get commenting!
Permanent water restrictions, desalination plants and recycled water projects are among just some of the proposals.
Environmentalist and architect Lucia Wellington has told QUT’s Tys van der Drift water restrictions are very important, despite the recent wet weather.
But Paul Lucas, the state’s Infrastructure Minister, wants community input before considering the proposal.
Better get commenting!
Welcome
Thanks for stopping by. Over the coming weeks QUT journalism students enrolled in News Production will be updating this blog, discussing what's making news in Brisbane and around Australia.
Enjoy.
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