Singapore introduces new rating system - bit-tech.net Forums

CardJoe · 15th Apr 2008, 12:35

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/04...ating_system/1

The island of Singapore has formally introduced a new rating system for games that seems remarkably sensible compared to Western equivalents.

DougEdey · 15th Apr 2008, 12:40

Good. We need a system like that, legally enforced.

Almightyrastus · 15th Apr 2008, 13:02

We can have all the systems in the world but if they are not properly enforced with deterrant punishments given out to not only retailers selling to underage but also parents allowing underage kids to play them then nothing will happen other than more of our money being wasted by endless government commitees trying to work out what the 'problem' is.

Strange how this very same arguement can be used for so many more of this country's perceved problem areas as well............

mmorgue · 15th Apr 2008, 14:08

Sounds very sensible, but if the retailers don't enforce the id checking, then it'll fall flat like many others.

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.

MrMonroe · 15th Apr 2008, 15:17

Two ratings: "you must be an adult" & "parents, please pay some goddamn attention to what your kids are doing."

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.

Javerh · 15th Apr 2008, 16:37

More ratings could easily blur them in the eyes of parents. Many parents already think that ratings are suggestive recommendations of game difficulty, not quality of game contents. Having a clear M18 - badge on the box could make a difference. If all else fails, they should legislate mandatory "HOT SEX & PORN INSIDE" - signs on all r-rated games. Parents would be bound to take notice.

Akava · 15th Apr 2008, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Javerh

If all else fails, they should legislate mandatory "HOT SEX & PORN INSIDE" - signs on all r-rated games. Parents would be bound to take notice.

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.

sotu1 · 15th Apr 2008, 17:57

and may this pave the way for other countries to enforce games ratings.

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.

johnnyboy700 · 15th Apr 2008, 19:51

I seriously doubt that people like Jack Thompson will ever shut up, video games give them such a big fat target to aim at as representitives of the "outraged moral majority" and the "ban this sick filth" Daily Mail readership.

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".

Cthippo · 16th Apr 2008, 07:30

Thats the question I have. Who is buying the games for kids? I seriously doubt that your average 15 year old is dropping $50 for GTA, so either their parents are buying the games (and will continue to do so), or the kids are downloading them. Its a nice thought, but in a world of digital distribution and torrents, I think a pointless one.

HourBeforeDawn · 16th Apr 2008, 23:08

ya I remember when GTA3 SA came out and a mother wanted to buy it for her 12 year old son and I told her right there and then that this game is rated mature and that it has sex, drugs and cursing and she was like uh huh ya whatever its a video game and the next day she comes in cursing at me saying how terrible this game was and how she wasnt told how wrong it would be to let her kid play it I flat out told her to shut it and said I told you and showed you on the box you chose to ignore me so dont even start yelling at me for your own fault, she took a moment and the said sorry lol

15th Apr 2008, 12:35	#1
CardJoe Player Character bit-tech Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,975	Singapore introduces new rating system http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/04...ating_system/1 The island of Singapore has formally introduced a new rating system for games that seems remarkably sensible compared to Western equivalents. __________________ this is joe's non-bit-tech blog

15th Apr 2008, 12:40	#2
DougEdey I pwn all your storage Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 13,933	Good. We need a system like that, legally enforced. __________________ Burnout: Paradise Stats!XBL: DougEdey Bindi PSN ID: DougEdey Twitter

15th Apr 2008, 13:02	#3
Almightyrastus Heathen Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nottingham, England Posts: 442	We can have all the systems in the world but if they are not properly enforced with deterrant punishments given out to not only retailers selling to underage but also parents allowing underage kids to play them then nothing will happen other than more of our money being wasted by endless government commitees trying to work out what the 'problem' is. Strange how this very same arguement can be used for so many more of this country's perceved problem areas as well............ __________________ Lo there do I see my Father. Lo there do I see my Mother, and my Sisters and my Brothers. Lo there do I see the line of my people, back to the beginning. Lo they do call to me. They bid me take my place among them, in the halls of Valhalla where the brave may live forever.

15th Apr 2008, 16:37	#6
Javerh Superfreak Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tampere, Finland Posts: 655	More ratings could easily blur them in the eyes of parents. Many parents already think that ratings are suggestive recommendations of game difficulty, not quality of game contents. Having a clear M18 - badge on the box could make a difference. If all else fails, they should legislate mandatory "HOT SEX & PORN INSIDE" - signs on all r-rated games. Parents would be bound to take notice. __________________ Project: Seawolf "Problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them."

15th Apr 2008, 17:57	#8
sotu1 Mini Love Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: England, South of. Posts: 1,169	and may this pave the way for other countries to enforce games ratings. 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. __________________ Death to consolification !!! [size=1]Give me my Windforce! I'm coming back!

15th Apr 2008, 14:08	#4
mmorgue Supermodder Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mos Eisley, in the bar... Posts: 378	Sounds very sensible, but if the retailers don't enforce the id checking, then it'll fall flat like many others. 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.

15th Apr 2008, 15:17	#5
MrMonroe Multimodder Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 195	Two ratings: "you must be an adult" & "parents, please pay some goddamn attention to what your kids are doing." 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.

15th Apr 2008, 19:51	#9
johnnyboy700 Hypermodder Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 788	I seriously doubt that people like Jack Thompson will ever shut up, video games give them such a big fat target to aim at as representitives of the "outraged moral majority" and the "ban this sick filth" Daily Mail readership. 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".

16th Apr 2008, 07:30	#10
Cthippo Can't mod my way out of a paper bag Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 4,468	Thats the question I have. Who is buying the games for kids? I seriously doubt that your average 15 year old is dropping $50 for GTA, so either their parents are buying the games (and will continue to do so), or the kids are downloading them. Its a nice thought, but in a world of digital distribution and torrents, I think a pointless one. __________________ Notice: If we see you flaming we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate measures - The Bit-Tech Fire Brigade.

16th Apr 2008, 23:08	#11
HourBeforeDawn a.k.a KazeModz Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cali, USA Posts: 1,796	ya I remember when GTA3 SA came out and a mother wanted to buy it for her 12 year old son and I told her right there and then that this game is rated mature and that it has sex, drugs and cursing and she was like uh huh ya whatever its a video game and the next day she comes in cursing at me saying how terrible this game was and how she wasnt told how wrong it would be to let her kid play it I flat out told her to shut it and said I told you and showed you on the box you chose to ignore me so dont even start yelling at me for your own fault, she took a moment and the said sorry lol __________________ Current Rig: RubyRED • Lian-Li A05B • (2) Swiftech 220 Radiators • (2) D5 Variable Pumps • (2) Res • and a whole lot of modding • Retired Rig: Project F.E.A.R. • TT Lanbox Lite • Swiftech H2O-120 • Q6600 G0 OC@3.6ghz • 2900XT • 4gb SuperTalent Memory •