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Australian Industry Group Submits R18+ Rating Proposal–Gamasutra

The Interactive Games & Entertainment Association, an industry trade group active in Australia and New Zealand, has submitted a proposal for an R18+ rating to the Australian attorney general’s office, hoping to alter long-standing practices effectively banning games which exceed a certain threshold of violent or sexual content.

Unlike its ratings for films, Australia’s game rating system does not include “R18+” or “X18+” ratings, which pertain to content rated for those 18 years of age or older. The game system tops out at “MA 15+” — meaning games with content deemed more mature than is suitable to an MA 15+ rating are denied classification entirely, and cannot be sold at retail in the country. read more…

Madden NFL Coming To Facebook–Gamasutra

Electronic Arts has its eye on the social space in a big way, moving aggressively toward digital revenue models and buying up Playfish — and it looks like one of its next moves will see the Madden NFL franchise coming to Facebook.

“We have to make Madden more accessible,” EA Sports boss Peter Moore told Bloomberg. “You’ll see us on Facebook going forward.”

Playfish, the social game developer EA spent $300 million to acquire late last year, recently revealed it was working on a game involving one of EA’s well-known brands.

Offering its players, as Moore says, a “simpler” Madden experience will likely provide a strong entry point to the brand via the massive social network.

Playfish president and general manager Kristian Segerstrale recently said that the most successful Facebook games are those featuring a brand that spans multiple platforms.

Madden NFL Arcade rushes toward early Thanks Giving release–Joystiq

EA has pushed up the release of its upcoming Madden NFL Arcade downloadable game, just in time for when you’re lounging around in a tryptophan-included daze. Like NHL Arcade 3 on 3 before it, PS3 owners will get early access to the game: it’ll be available Tuesday November 24th on PlayStation Network and Wednesday, November 25th on Xbox LIVE Arcade for $14.99 and 1200, respectively. read more