A Games Rating System Based on Islamic Law

November 29, 2010 -

The Index Conferences and Exhibitions Organization and the Iran National Foundation of Computer Games announced a new Islamic-based ratings system for video games during a press conference held at the Dubai World Game Expo this week. The ratings system, the Entertainment Software Rating Association (ESRA) was created by a research team at the National Foundation of Computer Game.

"The approach of Islam is based on Human being innateness 'Al Fitra,' and the most important innate trends are truth, virtue, benevolence, excellence tendency, innovation and creativity," said Dr. Behrouz Minaei, the Managing Director at Iran National Foundation of Computer Games. "That's why we made sure that ESRA team are proficient in these areas; Religion, Psychopathology, Educational psychology, Social psychology, Sociology of the family, Family Sociology, Emotional Psychology, Family therapy and Educational technology."

Minaei added that this ratings system is based on a lot of research including other ratings systems used around the world to rate games.

"The rating system is designed based on the culture, society and the special values of Islam". It was not revealed which countries in the Middle East might adopt this new ratings system, but it is probably safe to assume that Iran will be one of the first countries to give it a try.

Story and image source: zawya.com

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Comments

Re: A Games Rating System Based on Islamic Law

Submitted by Cheater87 on Mon, 11/29/2010 - 17:58.

Isn't Iran's the rating system with the 25 and up age rating and THEN a banning?

Re: A Games Rating System Based on Islamic Law

Submitted by ZippyDSMlee on Mon, 11/29/2010 - 16:18.

The more the merrier the one that gains the most support will be the one to "win".

ANd why do I have a feeling Japan will be targeting them with a ton of virtuous(in the name of) guro and rape sims......*rolls eyes*

...

/Sarcasm

I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/cigital-disobedience/

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http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/

Re: A Games Rating System Based on Islamic Law

Submitted by Zerodash on Mon, 11/29/2010 - 15:27.

Interesting. Does anyone know if any Christian groups in the US have tried to create their own rating system? What about other religions?

Re: A Games Rating System Based on Islamic Law

Submitted by Arell on Tue, 11/30/2010 - 07:57.

There are Christian based reviewers that form their opinions on conservatively defined morality, and basically tell other Christians which games are "bad" for you and your soul. Common Sense Media comes to mind, but there are many others online, like guide2games. Some aren't so bad, but many like to condemn video games widely, and are dismissive and derogatory of any game that offends them. They can't simply say, "this game might not be for you." Instead, they snarl and sneer at the sinful displays and blame them for the corruption of " core values" and the downfall of civilization.

I'm not too hopeful that this "Islamic" ratings system will be as thoughtful as their press release makes them out to sound. Basing anything on religious "virtues" is tricky, since we're not talking about simple content descriptors here, but judgements based on a rigid morality system.

Re: A Games Rating System Based on Islamic Law

Submitted by killatia on Mon, 11/29/2010 - 14:18.

Wasn't there another gaming board in the middle east just for video games. Seems kind of redundent to have two boards on the same thing.

http://www.magicinkgaming.com/

http://www.killatia.com/

Shout box

Monte: trolls are just at their absolute worst when it comes to women and feminist. You could bet good money that if the developer were male the trolls would be silent and the conversation would actually focus on the journalism.10/18/2014 - 9:18pm

Monte: Papa: Not the first time we've had a journalism scandals before, but the harassment never got close to this level; the difference with this scandal is that feminists are involved. Without the feminist angle, their would be A LOT less harrassment10/18/2014 - 9:15pm

Papa Midnight: Monte: That's honestly rather short-sighted. As has been proven with other persons who have been targeted, if it wasn't Quinn, it would be someone else.10/18/2014 - 6:26pm

Avalongod: I think that's part of what gives an esoteric news story like this real life...it taps into a larger narrative about misogyny in society outside of games.10/18/2014 - 3:29pm

Avalongod: @Monte, well the trolls made death threats that came to police (and media attention). I think this is tapping into a larger issue outside of games about how women are treated in society (like all the "real rape" stuff during the last election)10/18/2014 - 3:28pm

Wonderkarp: Zippy : Havent tried the PS4 controller. might later.10/18/2014 - 2:37pm

Monte: Seirously, If Quinn was not involved and GG was instead about something like the Mordor Marketing contracts, the trolling would have never grown so vile and disgusting. There have been plenty of movements in the past that never sufferred from behavior..10/18/2014 - 1:57pm

Monte: We have seen scandel's before but the trolling has never been as vile as what we see with GG. Trolls usually have such a tiny voice you can barely notice them, but its like moths to a flame whenever femistist are involved.10/18/2014 - 1:53pm

ZippyDSMlee: Wonderkarp: You might be able to if you had a PS4 controller.10/18/2014 - 1:00pm

MaskedPixelante: http://store.steampowered.com/app/327940/ Night Dive starts charging for freeware.10/18/2014 - 12:21pm

Matthew Wilson: the sad thing is there are trolls on both sides of this. people need to stop acting like their side is so pure.10/18/2014 - 12:19pm

MechaTama31: So, only speak out on a scandal that hasn't attracted trolls? I wouldn't hold my breath...10/18/2014 - 10:49am

Monte: I feel like GG just needs to die. The movement is FAR to tainted by hatred and BS for it to be useful for any conversation. Let GG die, and then rally behind the NEXT gaming journalism scandal, and start the conversation fresh.10/18/2014 - 10:33am

quiknkold: and we dont have a Dovakin to call a cease fire10/17/2014 - 7:37pm

quiknkold: The whole thing is Futile. Both sides are so buried deep in their trenchs that there isnt a conversation. Its just Finger Pointing, Name Calling, Doxxing, Threats. there needs to be a serious conversation, and GG isnt it.10/17/2014 - 7:37pm

quiknkold: I thought it was a good article. Jeff is right. I feel like GamerGate did destroy its message. I am for Ethics in game journalism, but man. so much hate. and its on both sides. I've seen some awful stuff spewed on twitter. Its a big reason why I exited..10/17/2014 - 7:34pm

Matthew Wilson: while he focused on gg, he did call out both sides crap.10/17/2014 - 7:18pm

Papa Midnight: That was a damn good read offered by Jeff Gertsmann.10/17/2014 - 7:17pm

Matthew Wilson: http://www.giantbomb.com/articles/letter-from-the-editor-10-17-2014/1100-5049/ deferentially a nice write up.10/17/2014 - 6:44pm

james_fudge: I think Evan killed it. He's a great guy and super smart.10/17/2014 - 6:38pm

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