Singapore, which last week fined a TV broadcaster for showing two women kissing, is to introduce a three tier censorship system for video games.  

          Announcing the rating system, the Media Development Authority, the sector's regulator and financier, said "gamers in Singapore can look forward to a greater variety of video games."

         System, which is more expansive than the two tier classification system on trial since November, takes effect from April 28. It will be administered by the Board of Film Censors (BFC).

            The MDA last week fined pay-TV operator Starhub S$10,000 ($7,200) for a commercial on MTV Mandarin Channel promoting a song by pop singer Olivia Yan. "Within the commercial, romanticized scenes of two girls kissing were shown and it portrayed the relationship as acceptable," the MDA said. Under Singapore law, gay sex is deemed "an act of gross indecency,'' punishable with a maximum of two years in jail.

New game rating system beefs up the experimental "Mature18" (M18) classification that has been in place since November and introduces a new layer "age advisory."

       Under the games content guidelines, games with mature themes, or which contain realistic depictions of violence and drug use, nudity and frequent use of strong coarse language will be classified as M18. Games with content which contains moderate level of violence, portrayal of implied sexual activity, nudity without details, coarse language and depiction of illegal drug use may be required to carry an Age Advisory label.

          Games will have to apply to the BFC for classification and which fall into the two new categories will have to carry warning stickers. Retailers will be required to check identities of customers buying M18 games. Other games approved for general release will not have to carry stickers.

          New system has support from industry. "Electronic Arts supports the MDA's efforts in the development of a video games classification system," Chris Thompson, VP and GM, Electronic Arts Asia Pacific, said in a statement provided by the MDA. "The new system will allow consumers to be more informed about available gaming content, and allow a greater choice of game titles on the shelves," Alan Chou, regional marketing manager of Microsoft's Xbox 360 gaming system, said.

          Last week the BFC also prevented the screening of four documentary films that had been programmed by the Singapore Film Festival, and which wrapped Monday. "A Jihad for Love" by gay Muslim film-maker Parvez Sharma, about homosexuals within Muslim communities, was barred because of "the sensitive nature of the subject".

The BFC banned "Arabs and Terrorism" and "David the Tolhildan", "on account of their sympathetic portrayal of organizations deemed terrorist organizations by many countries." Japanese bondage docu "Bakushi," was banned because it "normalizes unnatural fetishes and behavior."

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