If you’ve ever questioned the authority of the ESRB, be glad you don’t live Down Under. Australia’s censorship system has no adult rating, and any game that does not meet the MA15+ criteria must be edited accordingly.

As Australia’s News.com reports, this may be about to change. Gamers have until February 28 to offer their opinion to the Australian Federal Government, who opened discussion on the subject some time last year.

EB Games has taken advantage of this opportunity, putting together a petition in support of the new mature rating. The retail chain’s poll attracted 50,000 participants, 84% of which agreed that a R18+ category should be added to the classification system. Managing director for the company Steve Wilson said that EB customers had been “loud and clear” when it came to addressing this issue.

Some still question gamers’ intentions. GamePolitics reports on a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, written by Australian citizen Caleb Owens. Citing “graphic gore” and high body counts as reasons gamers are pushing for less censorship, Owens explains, “While it is true Australia stands alone in not having an R rating for video games, gamers do not tell you that an R rating is needed only to slake their bloodlust.” He goes on to mention that until a game is made that has real artistic merit, content can and should be edited.

EB begs to differ. “This is not a call for violent video games but rather a call for a better classification system that brings Australia in line with the rest of the world and other Australian entertainment industries, such as films,” Wilson said.

Among games that have been affected by the current system: Left 4 Dead 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV. Time will tell if the EB petition has any effect on the government’s decision.

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