Video game rating systems can be a touchy issue, but it seems the Media Development Authority of Singapore is set on policing video game content. MDA has just rolled out its very own rating system. Check out what this means to you (especially if you live in Singapore) in the full article.

 

Success Corp.'s Operation: Darkness finally got a release date and a rating that is most surprising. But before we talk about that, we believe a refresher is in order because the title will only be released in Japan and there's a possibility that some of you haven't heard about this title at all.

Operation: Darkness is an original IP and its gameplay is a mix between strategy and RPG. It takes place during World War II, but this is not your ordinary war game. In this title, the realities of war are bordered by mythical fantasies. Soldiers will be accompanied by fantasy creatures such as werewolves, dragons and fairies.

Anyway, our Japanese friends should get their hands on Operation: Darkness by October 11. The game carries a CERO D rating, the Japanese equivalent of an "M" rating slapped by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) on a video game.

If we are not mistaken, only a few RPGs in Japan have received a rating like this. Actually, the CERO D rating makes us want Operation: Darkness even more. Sadly, there's still no announcement if it will be released outside Japan. Oh, and did we say that it has Xbox Live support for four people? Ugh, we want this game...

Yesterday, we had a quick off-topic post for the Master Chief fans. It was a 40-to-50-year-old-guy wearing plastic armor.

So to keep things fair, here's a quick off-topic post for the Marcus Fenix fans. It's a 20-something-year-old bikini model wearing a corset.

Microsoft's CERO Z "adults only" festa in Japan showcased Gears of War, Riot Act, Godfather, Vampire Rain, and The people ~ which succeeds the older sister sword battle X vorteX (that's how Google Translate handled "Oneechanbara VorteX" for the Xbox 360). Being a "grown-ups only" event, only gamers 18 years old and older could go and try out the games.

This was the first big event for Gears of War in Japan, so Mariko Okubo, the bikini model, was the special guest. We found images of her at Siliconera, where they supported the old marketing adage - if you want to publicize your game, bring in the models.

Max F.: She's actually well-dressed for a bikini model at an adults-only event.
Rica M.: Is that the focus of your article?
Max F.: It will be. I mean, it's not trashy. The plaid lends class, and the layered skirt has nice lines. There's an "edge" to her look because of the leather, but she looks really nice. Can I include her other pictures from her past portfolio for reference? She looks really nice.
Rica M.: Gawd, you're insane.

A couple more images after the jump. Click on the "Full Article" link below to see them.

It's an "adults only" 360 fest, and it looks like admission is free for Xbox Live Gold members (by the way, that is Austin Powers freaky: "adults only" and "Gold member" in the same sentence).

Too bad it's in Japan.

Here's the line-up:

• Gears of War
• Vampire Rain
• The Godfather
• Riot Act
• Dead Rising
• The people ~ which succeeds the older sister sword battle X vorteX (hooray for web-based translation - that's Oneechanbara VorteX, by the way)

If our web-translation is right, the event will be on Januray 12. And they're serious about it being for adults only - despite the Google Translate beta giggles:

Exhibition title Z (only 18 years old or more the object) is divided CERO (computer entertainment rating mechanism) in the rating which is stipulated. As for direction under 18 years old because it cannot enter, beforehand acknowledgment. At acceptance of the meeting place, we request the presentation of the status proof which can do age verification.

And it really is too bad that Japan is so far away. This is the kind of event all of us could appreciate - even if we don't speak a word of Japanese. Any videos, demos, and fun to be had during the event would transcend language barriers anyway, right?