The R18+ debate has been a long and drawn out subject for the past few years, with a recent victory earlier this year that saw the government pass legislation making it mandatory for states and territories to implement the new video game rating by the year 2013.

In some even more good news, ABC are reporting that the ACT are now the first jurisdiction to implement the new video game rating, well before the actual requirement will be made.

The bill passed with tri-partisan support, though the Canberra Liberals failed in a bid to boost the penalty for inappropriate display or distribution of material rated R18+.

Attorney General Simon Corbell says it will help authorities regulate adults-only material.

"This is about making sure that adults are able to view and play and read what they wish as long as it does not do harm to others," he said.

"An R18+ classification ensures that adults can access adult material in computer game form, but at the same time protecting children under the age of 18 from that material."

Obviously this is great news for many of the ACT gamers that will now be able to purchase R18+ games, and hopefully this early start will help push the other jurisdictions into implementing the rating before the advised date.