THE VIDEO games industry begins a new phase this month in its campaign to reform the classification system.

The closure of public submissions for a review of categories assigned by the national Classification Board has coincided with a state election campaign in South Australia, a poll that could ultimately determine the fate of the review.

Pro-gamer lobby groups, computer games retailers and a newly formed political party are all trying to raise awareness of the issue nationally and to pressure politicians in Adelaide.

They believe adults-only content is sometimes mistakenly approved in the MA category or refused classification and not made available. Several games refused classification last year, including Left 4 Dead 2 and NecroVisioN, were available from New Zealand websites marketing uncensored, NZ-approved versions to Australian buyers.