Last week, we had posted that video games would be censored in India. The news had sent shockwaves throughout the gaming industry in India. Most of the video gaming firms who do business in this country already have to go through a lot of bureaucracy and red tape.
We got in touch with some important people in the Indian gaming industry and asked them about their views on the video games censorship in India. This was the response:
Mohit Anand, Country Manager, Microsoft Entertainment & Devices Division, India:
“We agree that games need to carry appropriate rating. Although a system of rating is not present in India, we at Xbox 360 as responsible leaders and pioneers in the gaming space, have ever since our launch in India in 2006 carried these ratings as per international standards. Xbox 360 is a complete entertainment hub and delivers living room entertainment with great games that appeal to the whole family. As mentioned earlier, all games carry appropriate rating and are very comprehensive. We look forward to working with the Indian government and the Indian censor board closely and support each other through continued efforts to ensure that the great potential underlying the Indian gaming market is tapped into responsibly, while being relevant to Indian audiences.”
According to Mohit Anand, information on Ratings used:
G: General — Content is very mild
PG: Parental Guidance Recommended – Content is mild
M: Recommended for mature audiences – Content is moderate in impact
MA 15+ Restricted: Not suitable for people under 15. Must be accompanied by parent or adult guardian – Content is strong
R 18+: Restricted to 18 and over – High level content
Venkat Mallik, Managing Director, Level Up! India:
“A) While eventually we do need censorship for the Video Game business like we have it for every thing else – it seems a premature move to me considering the stage of the industry and it would be much better if such procedures were to be introduced once the industry acquires some scale. At this stage the industry should just be allowed to self regulate.
B) However, if the Government does feel that it is essential to start censorship now then it would be great if it could do it in such a way that it cuts red tape and delays. Some general pointers could be
- 1) Have a set of clear guidelines which are long term – so that game publishers who manage to get in particular games can then stay invested in them over long periods.
2) The guidelines should just focus on the two typical areas of concern – pornography and excessive violence/gore. The rest of it should be left to market forces and self regulation. This could make things a little simpler and quicker.
3) Processing speed should be very quick.
C) Importantly, the video game industry has added a lot back in terms of mass adoption and learning of computers in different countries apart from being a source of livelihood for many (US$ 34 billion industry). It can do the same for India. It would be great if the censorship guidelines are made with that perspective in mind rather than with the view that video games are here to ‘spoil the new generation’.”
Sudipto Majumdar, Chief Technology Officer, Zapak:
“Unlike movies, it is technically not possible to cut a few objectionable frames from a game by any one other than the game developer themselves. Even the game developer would probably find it very difficult to take out stuff without drastically affecting the game play and story line. Even if they can, it would involve major costs. India being a very small market, most game developers would not bother to make such changes. This would leave only one option — to ban the game in question.
Given the fact that majority of the games consumed in India are through unofficial or pirated channels over which government has no control, such a ban would be ineffective. Hence I do not see censorship of games as a feasible or practical proposition.”
The topic of censoring video games is quite a big issue abroad. In the United States, politicians, especially the ones running for the 2008 elections are holding violent games responsible for the shootouts that occurred over there. Even in Germany, the regulations are quite strict. 2007 was an eventful year for the problem relating to video games censorship and the Manhunt 2 saga was the biggest indicator for it.