MDA Video Games Classification

Games Classification and You
What you want to know about the M18 ratings

The Media Development Authority (MDA)'s Video Games Classification system has been 'live' for a couple of months now, but there're still people out there writing in, asking us exactly what it is or how it works. We admit, we were confused at first as well, so when MDA offered to help clear the air, we jumped at the chance. Here is our take on several questions that have been frequently popping up. It's in no way exhaustive, but it's surprising how the simple stuff gets lost sometimes.

If you need more questions answered, there’s a FAQ put up by MDA at their website www.mda.gov.sg/videogames that you may want to check out as well.

1. Why are some titles classified as M18 when other countries rate the game as Mature-17 or General etc?

According to MDA: “Singapore is a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious society. As such, certain materials in games could be a cause for concern here but not elsewhere. The reverse may also be true.”

What that means is that instead of outrightly banning a title, like days of old, Singapore will decide on a case-by-case basis whether a title with sensitive content, such as Grand Theft Auto IV, can be released here for intended audiences. Or whether some titles can be let in without need for a rating – a title like Halo 3 would be approved for general release although it was rated M by the ESRB.

So Manhunt 2, which has been published in the US as Mature 17 after being re-rated, still has to be submitted for review here first before it can be released in Singapore. The truth is, a title ain’t banned till it’s been submitted for classification and listed as such.

Which brings us to the database.

The game database (which can be found at www.mda.gov.sg, hitting resources, and clicking the last link called, uh, “Video Games Database”) is a handy resource for gamers. Consumers checking it out may find titles which haven’t been classified – which MDA says is from the period prior to 28 April ‘08 and thus not classified under the new system.

If a title doesn’t show up, it means only one thing – that no one’s submitted the title for classification yet. Banned titles will show up as banned, though there are currently no banned titles. As time goes on, this means consumers can check the site for a quick glance on whether a likely-M18 title is hitting us by checking its status. If it isn’t there, no one’s submitted it for review, and so it isn’t coming in. Yet. Or it could be sitting in pending mode, which means MDA is busy rating the game to see if it can be let through.

2. Will I, as a consumer, have to pay more for games? I’ve heard there are classification fees and sticker fees and what else up the wazoo…

Maybe. It really depends on two things. One, whether the title is being imported directly by a retailer and how many copies are being sold, and two, you’re ordering the title online. For the latter, flip to question four.

Classification of a title (i.e. getting it checked by MDA) costs a flat $50. But this price only comes in if the game is classified as an M18 game. Anything below that will not need a classification fee. Which means that general titles like The Sims 2 and “Age Advisory” titles like Metal Gear Solid 4 won’t likely go up in price.

However, let’s say you want to buy Age of Conan, an M18 title. Then it all depends on the demand for the game. If for some inexplicable reason, no one else is excited about adventuring in the world of Conan, and the game shop only brings in a handful of copies, that means the cost is higher for the retailer. If the retailer is a nice guy and decides to absorb the cost, lucky you.

For titles that are popular, such as Grand Theft Auto IV, due to the huge volume, the cost can be spread out more. There’s still cost for the retailer but it is not as great. Again, whether the retailer chooses to mark it up or absorb the cost is based on your random roll of the dice. The final result is that you may be paying a little more, sure, but you’re also getting titles which previously would never see the light of day here.

3. What about titles that were previously banned, such as The Darkness? I've heard it takes 6-10 days to process an M18 title, shorter if the retailer or distributor pays extra. Will we get our titles later, if ever?

It all depends. With the introduction of Video Games Classification, distributors have the option of re-submitting previously banned titles for classification. If there's still enough demand from gamers on a title like, say, The Darkness (Really, is anyone still wanting to play it by now?) then that may give retailers the incentive they need to shoot for a classification now.

Some titles may also be banned anyway due to content, like say Jenna Jameson's “adult” video game or Japanese “eroge” (erotic game) titles.

For those worrying you won't get the title on launch day, here's the news - titles can be submitted for classification in advance, such as Ninja Gaiden II. Smart money distributors will send their application in much earlier, so that when it's ready for release day, poof, stocks appear.

4. What if I order a title from online sites? Will I, as a consumer, have to pay to get the title classified and stickered?

It appears no, you don't. MDA gave this reply: “The premise of the classification system is to allow for games that are for mature audiences to be sold in retail, and not ban them (outright). It also gives information to parents that these titles are unsuitable for the young. Hence, the classification only applies to games sold at retail.

We're taking it to mean that if you're the sort who regularly imports your “no one else brings the damn thing in” Japanese titles, they'll be let through, and you won't have to foot a $50.80 bill. Only titles that are to be sold in shops will be affected. And no, this isn't a loophole to let you sneak in adult material. That's still banned.

5. What happens if I'm a parent, and I buy a title my child really wants but it is an M18 title? Or what if someone buys the title for my child?

Upfront, M18 titles won't be sold to children under 18 (unless you've got a retailer who just doesn't care) so it's up to you as a parent to watch your child. Which makes sense, because most times when we hear the newest complaint that such-and-such game *cough World of Warcraft cough* has turned their child into some homicidal psychopath if he's taken off the game IV drip, we can only shake our head and go: “Look, you're in charge of what the kid does till he's old enough to figure it out himself. Do some work and please watch what the heck the kid is playing!”

As for retailers who are caught selling titles to underage children, there is a penalty. First of all, retailers who are selling M18 titles will need to take up a licence and when the licensing is in place, selling of an M18 title to an underage child is a breach of licence conditions and of course, could result in a retailer having its licence suspended or revoked. The only thing is the licence is being deferred now and until it takes effect, retailers should be socially responsible and abide by the guidelines on sale of M18 titles to those who are underaged.

So there you have it, the five basic questions we've been asked over and over. But of course, there're tons more that need answering which we haven't thought of (we're busy people over here) (Playing Mario Kart Wii – Ed) so we need you, the reader, to send in your queries to us at letters@playworksonline.com with the header “MDA Questions” that we'll then toss to the MDA peeps. Who knows, something from our grab bag of loot could be in store.

- Neubronner Eugene

Send us your queries on video games classification here!