I&B Ministry to censor video games

Durgesh Gupta - Televisionpoint.com | Mumbai
Alarmed with the violent content of video games and the effect they have on children, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has decided to censor video games.

As per the proposal, the government will slot video games in terms of the age groups of kids they are suitable for, this classification is to be prominently displayed on the game pack. Though some are clearly appreciative of the move, this comes as bad news for the upcoming gaming industry in the country.

The Ministry is considering an amendment in the Cinematograph Act, 1952, to give the Censor Board mandatory powers to check video games entering the Indian market.

Censor Board chief Sharmila Tagore had recently submitted a proposal to the ministry seeking powers to ask video games manufacturers to delete objectionable portions in the games. If required, the board should also be able to ban a particular video game, the way it can ban a movie, she wrote.

Arif Hamed, a financial analyst, feels the move will be beneficial to kids. "Kids now are more interested in arcade games which at times have adult content. You press some buttons and get to see nude girls. The games also have characters abusing each other. In parlours, you can pay Rs 15 per hour and play all sorts of games," Hamed says.

Aniruddh Kashi, a professional gamer, however feels that it is hard to stop people from enjoying entertainment. "Video game parlours will not be affected much by this regulation. It is wrong to say that kids are influenced by the violent content of the games. They see violence on television too, so are they going to ban TV too?" he asks and adds that besides loss of revenue for the gaming industry this policy would not mean much to anyone. You can't stop anyone from enjoying virtual entertainment," he says.

Siddharth Hegde, who develops software for video games, feels that kids nowadays are too clever and despite restrictions will find means and ways to access these games. "Children are very clever and discover hidden plugs. Besides, they can access the games on the Internet easily," he says and adds that it is impossible to check one game from the beginning to end.

"India is just getting started and it does not bode well to have such restrictions. In Germany, there was a similar law and gaming professionals just packed off to other destinations," Hegde says and suggests that we should follow the rating system in the US. "The US has an individual panel which rates video games. Games unsuitable for children don't come out in the market," he says.

Psychologist, Dr Vikram Prabhu feels that violent video games are an extension of violent movies and a mere censorship would not help the kids in any way. "In this mobile world everything is easily accessible. If a certain DVD is not within reach, they can get the same on the net. They can access them on their mobile phones. The need of the hour is for parents to be more involved and spend more time with the kids. They need to supervise what they see on TV and games," he says.

Prabhu believes it is not the responsibility of the government alone and that society should be involved. "The producers of these games should have some moral responsibility and for the sake of commercialism they should not peddle a product unsuitable for kids," he says.

According to him a panel constituting of people from all sections of the society should come out with a policy to regulate the video games. "Education begins at home and the children should be taught to be sensitive and compassionate," Prabhu adds.

A recent study by Michigan University published in international journal of adolescent health found that violent content in video games and television tend to turn children more aggressive and violent. It also said that children now spend much more time on video games than on outdoor games.

The 'official' video game market in India is about Rs 25 crore, which is about one-tenth of the overall market. The combined market for PC, video and online gaming is about Rs 1600 crore and mobile gaming about another Rs 800 crore.