By Liew Hanqing and Kane Cunico

WOULD you kill innocent civilians if the act helps bring you closer to apprehending a blood-thirsty terrorist?

It is a choice few will have to grapple with, until now. A popular computer game that was recently released puts the player in this dilemma. As an undercover operative trying to infiltrate a terrorist cell, you have to gun down innocent civilians at an airport.

Infinity Ward's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (MW2) is flying off the shelves here. It is rated M18, but some parents are worried that such a violent and disturbing game could find its way to young gamers.

The game's violence - reminiscent of the Columbine high school massacre and the Mumbai terror attacks - has sparked worldwide controversy.

Still, it looks to be a runaway hit, grossing more than US$300million ($420m)on its release date alone.

Mr Deli Lo, 29, who owns video game store GameScore at Funan Digitalife Mall, said he has sold about 1,000 copies of the game since it was released on Tuesday, mostly to adults in their 20sand 30s.

Mr Edward Teck, 28, manager of Funz Centre, a video game shop at Orchard Central, said his shop sold nearly 100 copies of MW2 onthe first two days alone.

Funz Centre's Ang Mo Kio branch, he said, sold another 200 copies over the same period.

According to Mr Teck, buyers have mostly been adults, also in their 20s and 30s. And some are parents, buying it for their children.

Said Mr Teck: "Most (parents) seem like they're buying it for themselves. But when they buy it for their children, many do take note of the game's rating."

Age advisory

In Singapore, a two-tier system focuses on rating the more objectionable games.

Matured 18 (M18): Means the game is suitable only for those 18 and older. It is an offence to sell an M18 title to anyone below this age.

Age Advisory: The game is for anyone 16 and older. So, any game that does not fall under these ratings can be sold in Singapore without a label.

Asked if he warns parents about the game's M18 rating, Mr Teck said the decision whether or not to buy the game is still the customer's.

He said: "It's the store policy not to sell the game to those below the minimum age requirement. We usually ask for identification if they look underage and will not sell them the game if they are."

Similarly, Mr Lo said his shop usually alerts parents to the game's rating when they buy the game for their children.

He said: "They usually go ahead and buy the game anyway."

Parents and gamersThe New Paper spoke to, however, expressed concern over the game's graphic nature.

Mr Mike Taylor, 46, a systems programmer who started playing the game this week, described the game as "very violent and a bit over the top".

He said: "The game itself has such a real feel to it that I found myself having to stop and take breaks often because of that. It's definitely not for kids without their parents knowing about it at all."

Mr Mark Richman, 54, a father of three teenage children, added that he does not allow his children to play violent video games.

He said: "I've seen them playing games with a lot of blood and violence, so I told them to stop. I think such games are harmful. I am concerned because such games make the players feel that killing is nothing. When they are playing, they feel nothing when they kill another human being."

He said he allows his children to play non-violent video games, such as sports games.

Maturity

However, Mr Melvyn Goh, 33, a video producer with two daughters aged 1 and 4, said he doesn't feel there is much cause for concern, especially if gamers are mature enough.

He said: "I don't think there should be more censorship, because that would make the game a forbidden fruit,and people will get it somehow."

He added that mature players should be able to differentiate between reality and make-believe.

He said: "I think secondary school students can distinguish between reality and fantasy. But if a six-year-old plays the game, it's hard to say if the child would act the game out later because they are desensitised to killing."

Psychiatrist Brian Yeo said gamers who are less mature may have trouble differentiating between reality and fantasy.

"Violent games desensitise the players into thinking violence is okay. Individuals who aren't mature enough may find it difficult to control their impulses,"he said.

He said there is nothing much parents can do to prevent their children from playing video games which maybe violent.

"These games are everywhere - it's impossible to stop children from playing them," he said.

Rather, parents need to be in tune with the market so they are aware of the kind of games their children may be playing.

Said Dr Yeo: "Parents may actually have to participate in the games together with their children so they know the level of violence.

"It may be better to switch to games where violent scenes are not so prominent."

tnp@sph.com.sg

This article was first published in The New Paper.