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Parents' Guide to Popular Games in Singapore

Game: Counter-Strike: Source
Platform: PC
Publisher: Nexon & T3 entertainment
Game Genre: First Person Shooter (FPS)
ESRB Rating: Mature
MDA Rating: Approved

GENERAL GAMEPLAY

Single-Player Mode
In the in single-player mode, you enter the game choosing one out of the two available roles, Counter-Terrorists and Terrorists. Game-play usually requires one to either bomb/protect a location or to prevent or rescue hostages, depending on the role you have chosen and the map played in. They can also choose to simply kill off members of the other team. ()

In the single player mode, one can play against a variety of A.I. controlled characters known as "Bots" and can be controlled by the player to a certain extend through certain in-game commands. Players usually try to rack up as many kills as possible.

With this, the thrill and enjoyment from the game usually slowly subsides and lessens as players get more proficient in the game. This will thus lead them to seek greater challenges by playing with other people on the multi-player mode.

Multi-Player Mode
In the multi-player mode, the game objectives are the same. Except this time they are playing with other people who will respond and react to situations differently from the Bots. ()

Players also have no control over other player's decisions except through influence. (E.g. players are less likely to take instructions and follow someone with few kills as compared to someone who has the most kills in the game.) In a public game where anyone can join, game objectives become secondary and players usually just want to kill as many people as possible without getting killed in order to obtain boasting rights about their skill.

An even higher level of gameplay takes part in 5v5 competitions either over the internet or over Local Area Network (LAN). Players and teams pit their skills and teamwork against each other. There is a strong emphasis on working together in order to meet the game objectives to win. Seeking personal glory and self-satisfaction becomes secondary. There is a social obligation to help the team win.

THINGS PARENTS SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR

Development of aggressive behaviour ()
Irritation and frustration is usually evident in CS gamers. Actions like shouting, screaming or even slamming the mouse on the table are also commonplace in LAN centres.
Potentially undesirable influence from gaming community ()
Interaction with other players over the internet or at LAN shops brings youths into close contact with other players, with all the accompanying influences on language, values and behavior. In-game forms of taunting and acts of humiliation are also usually unmoderated in counterstrike.

Another common abuse over the internet would be customizing the spray-paint decals to be pornographic in nature.
Desensitization of violent killing ()
Killing involves the use of guns, grenades and knives. There is moderate to excessive amount of blood and the use of "rag-doll" models in the game. “Rag-doll” refers to how the corpse of the player reacts to situations in the game. (E.g. when you throw a Explosive Grenade, the body of the person will fly to one direction.)

Blood can be seen splattered on walls after players have taken a shot through the head which will disappear after the round has ended. The game promotes aiming of opponent’s heads as doing so will inflict the most amount of damage when shooting at the opponent.

It is not uncommon for players to put the "Bots" on the easiest setting, using certain commands to make them not retaliate, before releasing their arsenal of weapons on them in order to obtain the thrill of killing.

MAKING COUNTERSTRIKE WORK FOR YOUR GOOD

Teamwork & Leadership ()
As in other team games, a well coordinated team will beat a team that has better individual skills but no teamwork. When a group of people come together to try to win, they learn to put aside their differences and work on each other’s strengths in order to accomplish the difficult.

As such, leadership development opportunities are abundant in such a game.
Goal setting and Strategic planning ()
When the tough gets going and the going get tough, players have to strategize and plan as to how they want to beat their opponents.

Do they follow the rest of the team in order to have more firepower? Or do they choose to take an alternative route so that they can slow down their opponents while the rest of the team go ahead to fulfill the objectives.

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