The video games industry has slammed Australia's classification system as "dysfunctional" after a decision to review the MA15+ ratings of a dozen games.
The Classification Review Board will review the games following an application by South Australian Attorney-General and Deputy Premier John Rau.
Mr Rau wants the classifications strengthened, arguing that the games are restricted to over-17s in the US and over-18s in Europe.
"These particular games have been assessed as having intense violence, blood and gore, nudity and suggestive themes," he said in September.
But Ron Curry, the head of industry body the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA), said the review was needless, a waste of money, and part of a "dysfunctional" system.
He says the games have already been examined using "stringent" guidelines and have not received any formal complaints from consumers.
He adds that it is not fair to compare Australian ratings with those handed down in the US, because the US does not have an equivalent ratings system.
In New Zealand, the games in question have been given similar ratings to Australia, he says.
Company of Heroes 2 is restricted only to over-13s in New Zealand, while others are restricted either to over-16s or over-18s.
The games in question include popular titles such as Borderlands 2 and Gears of War: Judgment.
Classification reviews cost $10,000, contributed partially by industry and partially by the commonwealth government, according to a document on the review board's website.
The board is accepting submissions on the reviews until November 14.
An R18+ classification for video games was introduced in January this year. Before that, Australia did not have an adult category for computer games.
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