TWO tiers are better than none? Not really, because the tiers signal only that a game is healthy enough for a 16- or 18-year-old, but there is no differentiation to indicate content meant for pre-schoolers, primary school pupils and teens.
Here's how to make a better choice.
Check the game box for ratings
DON'T be confused if you see two different ratings on the same box. Most games are imported, which means they would have already been rated in, say, the United States, Europe or Australia. When the game is brought into Singapore, the distributors must send it to the Media Development Authority (MDA) for rating, which explains the two ratings.
If you see a game box with only an MDA rating, it means that the title was probably produced locally, as Microsoft did for Halo 3 and Mass Effect.
Check out official rating sites
STILL not satisfied? Check these websites: simply key in the name of the game and check the rating given.
» Singapore (www.mda.gov.sg/videogames)
The database will only be up next Monday, when the new ratings officially kick in.
» United States (www.esrb.com)
Search by game title, publisher's name, platform and rating. Excellent resource.
» Britain (www.pbbfc.co.uk)
Click on the Video Games icon and key in the title of the game. Unlike the Australian and US system, which simply tells you the rating, this site explains in detail why the game is objectionable.
For example, for the Grand Theft Auto series, it states: 'All titles in the series have been classified '18' and contain strong bloody violence.
'This includes use of realistic weapons such as guns and baseball bats to attack not only enemies but also innocent civilians. Sex references include implied sexual activity such as when a car rocks on its wheels after a prostitute gets in to have sex with the player's character.'
» Europe (www.pegi.info/en/index/id /177 or www.pegi.info)
Click on 'Search Games' at the top toolbar.
» Australia (www.classification.gov.au/special.html?n=46&p=156 or www.classification.gov.au)
Click on 'Search Classification Database' then 'Conduct a Search'.
For a really neat unofficial site, go to www.refusedclassification.com, which lists the latest decisions by the Australian classification authorities, together with links to news sites discussing the decision.
Hear what the gamers say
IF THE official explanations don't cut ice, hear from the gamers and game reviewers themselves at :
TWO tiers are better than none? Not really, because the tiers signal only that a game is healthy enough for a 16- or 18-year-old, but there is no differentiation to indicate content meant for pre-schoolers, primary school pupils and teens.
