Aussie-rules change: R18+ rating introduced

The Australian capital of Canberra will trial run an R18+ rating for games beginning this week, with a country-wide introduction planned for 2013.
Previously, a lack of such a rating has meant particularly violent, or adult orientated games, have been banned outright down under. Most recently this applies to EA’s Syndicate reboot.
The new rating also means that meaning games currently under the MA15+ umbrella will have to go through reclassification. 
“This is part of a national reform that will allow adult gamers to view R18+ material in the same way that can already be done for film and printed material,” said Australian Capital Territory attorney-general Simon Corbell.
“But at the same time it will also provide protection to parents and children by giving parents better guidance about what material is and is not appropriate for people under the age of 18.”