|
|
Singapore introduces new rating system
Author: Joe MartinPublished: 15th April 2008
The new rating system will take effect in Singapore on April 28th, 2008.
The system will go into effect on April 28, 2008 across the entire nation.
Singapore's new rating system has only two classifications at the moment, though it is expected that the categories will be expanded as time goes on. Currently games can be classified as either M18 or Age Advisory. M18 games are those which are suitable for adult audiences only and which require the customer to show some ID to a retailer. Age Advisory rated games are those which are suitable for younger audiences and which do not require ID checks.
The system at first seems remarkably sensible compared to other western equivalents which break the ratings down further, but one wonders how it will be enforced and if such a distinct black and white line can even be drawn across the computer games medium.
Still, with over two years of research and consultation into the topic, it looks like the Singapore government is at least on the right lines when it comes to rating computer games as a medium.
Are rating systems for games a universally flawed concept? Is it possible to clearly say that what is suitable for a 18 year old is unsuitable for a 17 year old? Let us know your thoughts in the forums.
Related articles on bit-tech.net
Comments (10)Stats: 0.115 seconds
Strange how this very same arguement can be used for so many more of this country's perceved problem areas as well............
Besides, it really comes down to the responsability of the parents -- they have the kids, they don't want them playing inappropriate games, then it's *their* responsability to enforce it, not society's.
It seems they could have broken it down further on the low end, with some "youth" or "12+" ratings. Or, even better, (and this is what I sincerely hope they do in America) they could have just extended the ratings system for film into videogames.
Then buy it for them selves?
To be honest im dubious about the whole thing, I hope it will work so it will shut up people like Jack Thompson but im unsure, I guess only time will tell.
tbh i think it should be as simple as:
18+, 15+, PG, U - just like the film system. The difference being the 15+ and 18+ MUST have ID present to buy the game. No exceptions. Even if you're the queen.
I agree with the above comment that it doesn't make a blind bit of difference what kind of ratings system you have, what matters is how its applied at the retail /customer interface. If its not adhered to at the point of purchase then its a waste of time, even worse is the "responsible" parent/adult who buys it and then gives it to someone under the legal age anyway. Hell I remember seeing my eight year old nephew playing Doom II on his dad's pc and later on trying to persuade me that its "really ok" for him to play The Fall of Max Payne. When I checked with his dad, he said "its only a game".