Category Archives: Australia

With backing from its international parent likely to dissolve, GAME Australia is striking out for independence.

More »

The House of Representatives has approved plans to introduce an R18+ ratings category for video games in Australia.

More »

One Gran Turismo fan claims to have spotted a group of Polyphony Digital staffers taking reference photos at an Australian track.

More »

EA’s confirmed in a statement to AusGamers it’s currently working on resolving issues surrounding the Battlefield 3 multiplayer in Australia.

More »

A group of ex-writers at PALGN, who walked out on the site following an internal dispute, have launched its new home Rocket Chainsaw, according to MCV Pacific. Site owner Adam Ghiggino said it was aiming for “a professional style, yet something not too stuffy.”

A source close to MCV has said GameStop is interested in acquiring troubled retailer GAME, but not its Australian end of the business.

More »

The Australian House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has returned a positive verdict on an inquiry into proposed changes to Australia’s classification laws.

More »

Sydney fighter fans should get themselves down to The Red Room on York Street to check out the tenth OzHadou Nationals this weekend. This tourney is part of local seeding for EVO, arguably the world’s most important fighter event, so it’s a must-attend for competitors and fans alike ahead of the July event in Las Vegas. Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Soul Calibur 5 and King of Fighters XIII are on the roster, and in addition to the door fee there’s a charge to take part in casual play. The competition starts today and run all weekend; hit up the website for more information.

Sony Australia’s content services manager Nino Kalogeropoulos has posted images of Vita units arriving and being unloaded in Australia to the EU PS Blog, just six days ahead of the system’s local launch. Although no indication was given of how many units were shipped to Australia, it’s know that GAME has run through its entire WiFi allocation until a second shipment in March, suggesting the bounty may not be as generous as hoped for. The Vita launches in Australia on February 23, at AUD$349.95 for a WiFi only model, or AUD$419.95 for the 3G version.

No department store bargains for early Vita adopters; Sony is keeping “focussed” with the handheld’s Australian launch.

More »

Flummoxed by the sudden appearance of a wild legislation, the Coalition called for an inquiry into a bill proposing changes to Australia’s Classification act – namely, the addition of an R18+ ratings category for video games. The proposed changes have been the subject of public consultation, debate and multiple inquiries over the past few years, and were finally introduced to parliament for the first time yesterday. The inquiry is likely to delay the bill slightly but may not affect plans to bring the new ratings category into effect as early as January 1, 2013. Current legislation in Australia refuses classification – and thereby, legal sale – of content rated higher than MA15+.

Thanks, Kotaku.

Home Affairs minister Jason Clare has made good on his promise to move quickly on Australia’s proposed R18+ ratings category for games.

More »

Oh happy day, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore. BioWare delivers unto you the biggest MMORPG of 2011.

More »

Vodafone Australia has opened pre-orders for the 3G-enabled Vita, offering 12 month contracts and pre-paid plans.

More »

Job cuts at Sega’s Brisbane studio have hit 37 staffers as the studio shifts focus to the digital sphere.

More »

Microsoft has issued its own response to the NPD Group Australia’s 2011 report, highlighting data in opposition to Sony’s claim to have won the year.

More »

The NPD Group Australia has revealed a 12.8% year-on-year decrease in traditional retail in 2011, but local industry expects digital revenue to climb.

More »

NPD Group Australia has revealed Sony took the greatest slice of market share at Australian retail over 2011.

More »

GAME’s board of directors has announced it has “concluded discussions with its lending syndicate” and has agreed it will revise “terms for its facilities”, which will allow the firm to continue operations.

More »

Major Nelson advises streaming video services CinemaNow and Crackle have both been activated on Xbox Live. CinemaNow is only available within the US, but Crackle has also been pushed out to Australia, Canada and the UK. The new additions join a growing collection of entertainment services available from the Metro-style Xbox 360 dashboard update, which Microsoft has touted as “the future of TV”.

Thanks, Engadget.