Breath Of The Wild: Rated M In Australia – Why?

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has received an M rating in Australia, restricting the game to players 15 years and older. This rating is due to the game's moderate fantasy violence, mild themes, and mild sexual allusions. The Australian classification system is known for being stricter than those of other countries, particularly when it comes to drug use, blood, and violence. The game's M rating in Australia is comparable to a T for Teen rating in the US.

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Australia's stricter rating system

Australia's classification system for media content is notably stricter than that of other countries, including the US and European countries. The Australian Classification Board (ACB) is the government statutory body responsible for classifying and censoring films, television programs, video games, and publications for exhibition, sale, or hire in Australia. The ACB operates under the Commonwealth Classification Act 1995 and has the power to refuse classification, effectively censoring media by making it illegal for hire, exhibition, and importation into Australia.

The Australian rating system has several categories with different age restrictions and content guidelines. The G rating is suitable for general audiences and can include content that may scare very young children. The PG rating suggests parental guidance for children under 15, as the content may be confusing or upsetting for younger viewers. The M rating, which stands for Mature, is not recommended for children under 15 and includes content of moderate impact. The MA15+ rating restricts content to minors under 15 unless they are accompanied by an adult and can include strong themes like sex and drug use. The R18+ and X18+ ratings are legally restricted to adults aged 18 and over, with the latter indicating sexually explicit content.

Australia's stricter approach to media ratings aims to protect children from accessing content that the culture considers harmful before a certain age. While this has led to criticism of being overly cautious, the ACB's decisions can be reviewed by the Australian Classification Review Board. The specific criteria considered in the ratings include themes, violence, language, drug use, nudity, and sex, with varying sensitivities across different cultures and countries.

Moderate fantasy violence

Australia's classification system for video games tends to be stricter than that of the US or Europe. The Australian "M" rating for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is due to its moderate fantasy violence, mild themes, and mild impact. This rating is roughly equivalent to the "T" rating from the ESRB, which is recommended for teenagers aged 15 years and older.

The game's depiction of violence, although fantastical, is considered moderately impactful and may not be suitable for younger audiences. This includes the ragdoll physics and death animations, such as falling from cliffs or being burned by robots. The intensity of the combat and the controversial nature of some events portrayed in the game also contribute to its "M" rating.

The Australian Classification Board considers the impact of media on children and aims to protect them from accessing certain content that the culture deems harmful before a certain age. This includes violent content, which can influence impressionable children's behaviour, as seen in the difference between children's emulation of Mario vs. Zelda.

While some may disagree with the strictness of Australia's video game ratings, the "M" rating for Breath of the Wild is based on the game's moderate fantasy violence and its potential impact on younger players. It is important for parents and rating boards to consider the intensity and nature of the content to ensure appropriate guidance for children's consumption.

Mild themes

Australia's classification system tends to be stricter than that of the US or Europe. The "M" rating in Australia is not equivalent to the ESRB "M" rating in the US; rather, it is equivalent to the "T" rating. The "M" rating in Australia stands for "Mature" and is recommended for teenagers aged 15 years and over. The game contains moderate fantasy violence, mild sexual allusions, and alcohol usage.

The "M" rating for Breath of the Wild is likely due to the intensity of the combat and the mildly controversial nature of some of the events portrayed in the game. The game deals with themes of death and contains violent death animations, such as when the player character falls from a cliff or is burned to death by giant robots. These animations, combined with the overall intensity of the game's combat, likely contributed to the "Mild themes" classification.

The Australian Classification Board has been criticized for handing out strict ratings, and some have argued that the game should be rated PG or G. However, the Board's decision is based on trying to apply community cultural norms to protect children from accessing certain content. The "M" rating for Breath of the Wild is in line with the ratings of previous Legend of Zelda games, such as "Twilight Princess" and "Skyward Sword," which also received "M" ratings in Australia.

The impact of the game on younger players is also a factor in the rating. Some have observed that the game can have a significant impact on younger, more impressionable players, who may try to emulate what they see in the game. This suggests that the "Mild themes" classification is intended to protect younger players from accessing content that may be harmful or inappropriate for their age group.

While the game does not feature blood or guns, some players have speculated that the story and the overall intensity of the game may have contributed to the "M" rating. The game's lack of realistic blood and mild violence compared to other "M"-rated games have been noted, indicating that the "Mild themes" classification may be due to a combination of factors rather than a single element.

Alcohol usage

Australia's classification system tends to be stricter than that of the US or Europe. The "M" rating in Australia is equivalent to the "T for Teen" rating in the US, which is recommended for teenagers aged 15 years and older. The game contains mild themes, moderate fantasy violence, and moderate violence, including ragdoll physics and death animations.

One factor that may have contributed to the "M" rating in Australia is alcohol usage. In the game, Link can obtain elixirs that are "similar enough to alcohol." This is notable because media ratings often reflect a community's cultural norms and values. Alcohol usage is one aspect that may be considered harmful to children and adolescents, and Australia's classification board may have taken this into account when assigning the rating.

The presence of alcohol in the game, along with other factors such as violence and mild themes, likely influenced the decision to assign an "M" rating in Australia, indicating that the game is suitable for mature audiences aged 15 and above.

It is worth noting that the impact of alcohol usage in video games on players is subject to debate. While some argue that alcohol usage in games can influence younger players, others suggest that children and adolescents can engage with the game without being negatively affected. Ultimately, the decision to allow access to games with certain ratings is often left to parental discretion.

Mild sexual allusions

Australia's classification system tends to be stricter than that of the US or Europe. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has been rated M in Australia, which stands for "mature" and is recommended for teenagers aged 15 years and above. This is due to its moderate fantasy violence, mild themes, and mild sexual allusions.

While the specific details of these mild sexual allusions are not readily available, they likely include subtle hints or indirect references to sexual activity or themes. These allusions may be found in the game's dialogue, narrative, or character interactions. It is important to note that the sexual content in the game is considered mild and not explicit or graphic.

The game's rating in Australia reflects the country's cultural norms and values regarding the protection of children from accessing certain types of content before a certain age. The Australian classification system aims to provide guidance to parents and guardians about the suitability of the game's content for younger audiences.

It is worth noting that the interpretation of "mild sexual allusions" can vary between individuals and cultural contexts. What may be considered mild in one context might be perceived differently in another. Additionally, the impact of such allusions depends on various factors, including the player's age, maturity level, and individual sensitivity to such content.

Breath of the Wild is known for its exploration of mature themes and its impact on younger players. The game's rating in Australia highlights the country's approach to balancing the protection of children and providing guidance to parents while also allowing developers to express their creative vision within the game's narrative and themes.

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