Ratings for Video Games in Singapore by End April

Miavi · 14-04-2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Ratings for new video games by end April
By Alfred Siew, Technology Correspondent

THE long-awaited video game classification system will kick into action by end of the month, giving gamers here more choices, including games that were previously banned in Singapore.

Titles that contain possible objectionable content will come with stickers to warn buyers.

Those that have realistic violence, drug use, nudity and frequent use of coarse language1 will be rated M18, for a mature audience that is 18 and older.

Games that have moderate level of violence, portrayal of implied sexual activity, nudity without details, coarse language and depiction of drugs will be rated 'Age Advisory' and restricted to those 16 and older.

Announcing the ratings for new video games on Monday, the Media Development Authority (MDA) said the scheme would give adults more choice while giving parents more information about the games that they may buy for their children.

It said it was adopting a 'light touch' approach and will gather feedback from the industry and public before coming up with more detailed rules in future.

Game wholesalers and retailers may also be licensed in future, so as to ensure that they do not sell mature games to the underaged.

The video games rating system was developed over a two-year period involving detailed research and extensive consultation with members of MDA's advisory committees, representatives from the video games distribution and retail sectors, as well as parents, academics and gamers.

The new guidelines build upon the interim M18 rating, which was introduced in November 2007 to prepare the industry for the video games classification system.

Since then, eight games, such as Conan and God of War: Chains of Olympus, have been brought into Singapore under the interim M18 rating.

Said Ms Amy Chua, Chairman of the Board of Film Censors (BFC) on Monday: 'The new ratings will provide more choices for gamers. The games distribution and retail industry will also benefit from having a rating system that allows it to make available more games targeted at the different groups.'

'At the same time, the age-appropriate ratings and consumer advisories will help parents make informed choices about the games their children play. This represents a balanced approach in enabling more media choice for Singaporeans while protecting the young.'

In line with the BFC's practice of co-regulating with the industry, the classification system requires companies to declare all games meant for local distribution and sale via an online questionnaire.

Companies will be required to submit physical copies of the titles only when the game contains mature content. In addition, the BFC will conduct periodic checks on games declarations to verify accuracy of declarations.

On the benefits of such a co-regulatory system, Ms Chua said: 'Getting the industry to declare information about the games will speed up the classification process and facilitate time-to-market for new titles.'

'Such industry involvement is crucial to the classification of video games due to the amount of time required to assess each game. This will also help BFC to focus on content that is not suitable for the young and keep compliance cost affordable.'

Under the system, it costs S$50 and takes six to 10 working days to rate a M18 game.

A premium service is available for companies looking to shorten the processing time.

To help the public understand the video games ratings, MDA is organising a series of outreach initiatives targeting gamers, parents, teachers and retailers, from end April.

In addition, an informational brochure on the video games ratings will be made available at games distributors' and retailers' outlets, LAN gaming centres, as well as at other community events.

MDA will work with game retail shops and LAN gaming centres to display in-store signs that explain the games ratings. MDA will also partner parenting and gaming publications and online portals to hold promotional activities aimed at increasing awareness of the video games ratings.

More information on the video games classification system can be found at www.mda.gov.sg/videogames.

Quote:

Views from MDA's Film Consultative Panel, industry experts
Views from MDA's Film Consultative Panel (FCP) members:

'As a father of three teenagers who are gamers, I have many times looked at the covers of games packages but was not able to tell the nature of their content. All I see are life-like models, with graphics so good they look almost real.
... more

LOL.

So, now what? As if ratings given by those old fogeys actually apply correctly, seeing as how they could actually fine a certain company for displaying a music video which just contains a simple kissing scene between two females, just because it supposedly promotes lesbianism, as defined by their narrow mentalities.

1: Holy fucking cow shit nigga, am I seeing things? That if that's the case, GTA would be brought in under M18 instead? Holy motherfucking nigga blazing asshole. Now excuse me while I go smoke my motherfucking bong of weed.

Botak_Ahpek · 14-04-2008, 07:04 PM

MDA is simply epic phail . So now we'll maybe see games like the so called controversial Grand Theft Auto series being totally banned off the shelves in Singapore ? MDA already had a fucked up rating system for movies TV shows . Now that it goes into place in games , i can see Singapore gamer's choice are getting narrower and lesser day by day .

Miavi · 14-04-2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agony_Ah Pek

MDA is simply epic phail . So now we'll maybe see games like the so called controversial Grand Theft Auto series being totally banned off the shelves in Singapore ? MDA already had a fucked up rating system for movies TV shows . Now that it goes into place in games , i can see Singapore gamer's choice are getting narrower and lesser day by day .

Refer to edited initial post

ReinhartX · 14-04-2008, 07:15 PM

they still got a long long way to go

YuShenLuo · 14-04-2008, 07:39 PM

somehow i think they are epic fail

i mean is it seems like they indirectly encouraging ppl to go download again liao lol

scenario1
PersonA :"hey i got money i wanna go buy that game XYZ "
PersonB:"dude wake up that game is ban and u cant buy it in singapore!"
PersonA:"then how the hell can i get it siao is it?"
PersonB:"buy by importing yourself lor"
PersonC:"hey noob just go download it la,if PS2 then download and burn to DVD then also can play liao ma"
PersonA:huh sui then i no need waste money liao hahahahha"

scenario2
PersonA :"hey i got money i wanna go buy that game XYZ "
PersonB:"dude wake up u are underage to buy that original game man"
PersonA:"then how the hell can i get it siao is it?"
PersonB:"buy by importing yourself lor,or go JB buy lor,then bring in LOL"
PersonC:"hey noob just go download it la,if PS2 then download and burn to DVD then also can play liao ma"
PersonA:huh sui then i no need waste money liao hahahahha"

no matter how i see it,the implementation still dont seems to have any beneficial things at all.....

i guess they are simply too free

Miavi · 14-04-2008, 07:41 PM

They did the same to movies.

But Singaporeans can live without movies.

However, can the gamers live without their games?

YuShenLuo · 14-04-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miavi

They did the same to movies.

But Singaporeans can live without movies.

However, can the gamers live without their games?

dont worry
movies also cant die liao le

games sure no problem de
if they know how to get the source for movies,they should know how to get for games too.

kekekekekekekek
XD

Vectors · 14-04-2008, 07:48 PM

bukit timah~~

YuShenLuo · 14-04-2008, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vectors

bukit timah~~

E
L
A
B
O
R
A
T
E

PLS

=.=V

Miavi · 14-04-2008, 07:52 PM

The first letter of Bukit and first letter of Timah

Let's all go Bukit Timah

YuShenLuo · 14-04-2008, 07:54 PM

Camping ah?

or hunting for 3rd dimension thingy ah?

or be papparazi?=.=

anyway i guess he means that place got sell .....games la

ps2 games i normally buy from JB
cheap cheap
=)

I will be speechless if next time SCV shows/movies/programmes also tio rated

Miavi · 14-04-2008, 07:57 PM

No la *facepalm.jpg*

You take a trip down to HardwareZone.com's Eat Drink Man Woman section then you will know what is Bukit Timah already

YuShenLuo · 14-04-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miavi

No la *facepalm.jpg*

You take a trip down to HardwareZone.com's Eat Drink Man Woman section then you will know what is Bukit Timah already

Enlighten the noob pls

Vectors · 14-04-2008, 08:00 PM

i help you a big ho Bukit Tmah

if you still dun understand then..then i deduce your a computer noob liao~~

YuShenLuo · 14-04-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vectors

i help you a big ho Bukit Tmah

if you still dun understand then..then i deduce your a computer noob liao~~

LOL-ed*99999999999999

i got it liao

very innovative term LOL

SpikeOut · 14-04-2008, 08:24 PM

That ugly official rating sticky spoils the cover. =/

Botak_Ahpek · 14-04-2008, 08:27 PM

Somehow later all go Bukit Timah , BayTSP's business gonna bloom again

SpikeOut · 14-04-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miavi

1: Holy fucking cow shit nigga, am I seeing things? That if that's the case, GTA would be brought in under M18 instead? Holy motherfucking nigga blazing asshole. Now excuse me while I go smoke my motherfucking bong of weed.

Well its quite obvious GTA series is known for that kind of theme, sex, drugs and violence and other kinds of s*** is known for.

simply_zakie · 14-04-2008, 08:34 PM

Who cares? Go Malaysia buy and come back play

simply_zakie · 14-04-2008, 08:34 PM

Who cares? Go Malaysia buy and come back play

Botak_Ahpek · 14-04-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simply_zakie

Who cares? Go Malaysia buy and come back play

Singapore and malaysia customs not stupid ,sooner or later maybe they'll touch on this issue and maybe disallow you guys to bring in any form of media or games from there .It seems impossible for now but let's just say that anything can happen and never say never.

14-04-2008, 07:04 PM	#2
Botak_Ahpek Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The Janitor's shack Posts: 5,503	MDA is simply epic phail . So now we'll maybe see games like the so called controversial Grand Theft Auto series being totally banned off the shelves in Singapore ? MDA already had a fucked up rating system for movies TV shows . Now that it goes into place in games , i can see Singapore gamer's choice are getting narrower and lesser day by day . __________________ Sgcafe-Welcome to the land of the free and home of the flamers

14-04-2008, 07:15 PM	#4
ReinhartX Post-Crazy Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,772	they still got a long long way to go __________________ ==>Arrancar Epic Family Cosfest 08<==

14-04-2008, 07:39 PM	#5
YuShenLuo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 597	somehow i think they are epic fail i mean is it seems like they indirectly encouraging ppl to go download again liao lol scenario1 PersonA :"hey i got money i wanna go buy that game XYZ " PersonB:"dude wake up that game is ban and u cant buy it in singapore!" PersonA:"then how the hell can i get it siao is it?" PersonB:"buy by importing yourself lor" PersonC:"hey noob just go download it la,if PS2 then download and burn to DVD then also can play liao ma" PersonA:huh sui then i no need waste money liao hahahahha" scenario2 PersonA :"hey i got money i wanna go buy that game XYZ " PersonB:"dude wake up u are underage to buy that original game man" PersonA:"then how the hell can i get it siao is it?" PersonB:"buy by importing yourself lor,or go JB buy lor,then bring in LOL" PersonC:"hey noob just go download it la,if PS2 then download and burn to DVD then also can play liao ma" PersonA:huh sui then i no need waste money liao hahahahha" no matter how i see it,the implementation still dont seems to have any beneficial things at all..... i guess they are simply too free __________________ A fan of A.C.E,Disgaea,ShinSangokuMusou A fan of Ali Project,Dj Ozma,X Japan A fan of Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge,Rozen Maiden,Tenshi na Konamaiki

14-04-2008, 07:41 PM	#6
Miavi t3h awesome disco powaa Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Between the keyboard and the chair Posts: 6,782	They did the same to movies. But Singaporeans can live without movies. However, can the gamers live without their games? __________________ 花吹雪~月下の惨劇 \|\| Human Error \|\| The Code "If anyone wants to kill each other, TCSS and the Complaints forum are the way to go."

14-04-2008, 07:48 PM	#8
Vectors Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 8,977	bukit timah~~ __________________

14-04-2008, 07:52 PM	#10
Miavi t3h awesome disco powaa Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Between the keyboard and the chair Posts: 6,782	The first letter of Bukit and first letter of Timah Let's all go Bukit Timah __________________ 花吹雪~月下の惨劇 \|\| Human Error \|\| The Code "If anyone wants to kill each other, TCSS and the Complaints forum are the way to go."

14-04-2008, 07:54 PM	#11
YuShenLuo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 597	Camping ah? or hunting for 3rd dimension thingy ah? or be papparazi?=.= anyway i guess he means that place got sell .....games la ps2 games i normally buy from JB cheap cheap =) I will be speechless if next time SCV shows/movies/programmes also tio rated __________________ A fan of A.C.E,Disgaea,ShinSangokuMusou A fan of Ali Project,Dj Ozma,X Japan A fan of Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge,Rozen Maiden,Tenshi na Konamaiki

14-04-2008, 07:57 PM	#12
Miavi t3h awesome disco powaa Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Between the keyboard and the chair Posts: 6,782	No la facepalm.jpg You take a trip down to HardwareZone.com's Eat Drink Man Woman section then you will know what is Bukit Timah already __________________ 花吹雪~月下の惨劇 \|\| Human Error \|\| The Code "If anyone wants to kill each other, TCSS and the Complaints forum are the way to go."

14-04-2008, 08:00 PM	#14
Vectors Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 8,977	i help you a big ho Bukit Tmah if you still dun understand then..then i deduce your a computer noob liao~~ __________________

14-04-2008, 08:24 PM	#16
SpikeOut Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: New Liberty City Posts: 8,702	That ugly official rating sticky spoils the cover. =/ Attached Images __________________ My greatest treasure of all time, MGS4 Hagane PS3 bundle In memory of Big Boss, 19XX - 2014 Last edited by SpikeOut; 14-04-2008 at 08:35 PM.

14-04-2008, 08:27 PM	#17
Botak_Ahpek Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The Janitor's shack Posts: 5,503	Somehow later all go Bukit Timah , BayTSP's business gonna bloom again __________________ Sgcafe-Welcome to the land of the free and home of the flamers

14-04-2008, 08:34 PM	#19
simply_zakie Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The battlefield, fighting with my cat Posts: 9,214	Who cares? Go Malaysia buy and come back play __________________ Stomping on my cat ..... Whatever makes her happy

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