Nov 16, 2007
MDA lifts ban on game with same-sex
love scene
By Leung Wai-Leng
IN a reversal of its earlier decision, the Media Development
Authority (MDA) has decided to allow role-playing game Mass Effect
to be released here under an M18 rating.
The Board of Film Censors (BFC) said in a statement on Friday
evening that it will selectively use games ratings to 'enable
highly anticipated games to be launched in Singapore' until it puts
in place a games classification system in January.
The statement said that 'this will allow such games to enter the
market with immediacy and give the industry and members of the
public a better understanding of the benefits of the proposed games
classification system'.
Mass Effect was banned earlier for containing a same-sex love
scene, making Singapore the only country to disallow its sale. It
caused a furore among local and international gamers.
Other games with graphic violence such as popular action game
Assassin's Creed - released this week - was allowed on store
shelves after distributors affixed a consumer advisory label
declaring the game 'Not to be sold to young children'.
Copyright, 2007, Singapore Press Holdings Limited
