Parents' Guide to Popular Games in Singapore
Game: MapleStory
Website: http://www.maplesea.com
Platform: Windows (Vista/XP/2K/ME/98)
Publisher: AsiaSoft Online Pte Ltd
Game Genre: Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Game (MMORPG)
Pricing: Free-to-play
Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Rating: Everyone 10+ (Worldwide version)
Media Development Agency (MDA) Rating: Not Rated
INTRODUCTION
MapleStory is a 2-dimensional, fantasy-themed online role-playing game that is highly appealing to both children and youths. There are 92 million registered MapleStory accounts worldwide and it is currently the most popular MMORPG in Singapore. The game is free-to-play but players can purchase virtual items using real money from the in-game cash shop.
GENERAL GAMEPLAY
Example of in-game collaboration (party quest) |
In MapleStory, players venture through "Maple World" defeating computer-controlled monsters and completing quests with the main objective of building up (also known as leveling up) their game characters. Players start by creating a Level 1 game character and choosing one of four jobs: Warrior, Magician, Thief or Archer. Players become more powerful as they level up (to a maximum level of 200) and advanced jobs are made available to them once they reached the required level. Inside the game, players can duel, chat, trade, collaborate in quests, form virtual friendships and even get married.
GAME PRICING
MapleStory can be played completely for free. However, players can choose to make their game characters more attractive by buying virtual clothing and pets or give themselves in-game advantage through the purchase of virtual items using game credits known as A-Cash. A-Cash prepaid cards (picture to the right) can be bought at 7-Eleven, through AXS and SAM machines and at computer game and comic stores. Singtel mobile users can also purchase A-Cash through an SMS service called GXCredits (such purchases will be reflected in their Singtel bill). A-Cash is available in denominations of at least 5,000 at a price of S$5.35 each.
AGE GROUP OF PLAYERS
With its cartoon graphics and light-hearted game play, Maplestory is an appealing game to children. Keyboard controls for the game are relatively simple to learn and it can be played on most computers currently used in Singapore households. MapleStory is especially popular among Primary and Secondary School students. In a survey of 309 Primary Five students in May 2009 by TOUCH Cyber Wellness & Sports, 20.7% play MapleStory.
PARENTAL CONCERNS
- Time Sink ()
MMORPGs such as MapleStory are different from other game genres because these games do not have an ending. MapleStory game developers would regularly put in new content so as to entice players to continue playing. Even if the player's objective is simply to achieve the highest level (level 200) in the game, it would still take him many months, even years in order to achieve this. The vast majority of MapleStory players in Singapore are not at level 200 despite the fact that the game was launched in June 2005.
- Aggressive Promotion by Game Publisher ()
In order to make money from this free-to-play game, the game publishers have to entice players to purchase virtual items from the cash shop. They promote their virtual items by giving discounts on items at various times in the year. See below for an example (note: EXP X2 items increases the speed in which a game character levels up).
- Online Harassment and Cyber Bullying ()
For online games such as MapleStory, the ESRB rating comes with the following consumer advice - "online interactions not rated by ESRB". Although vulgarities and sexual terms are mostly filtered and monitored by the game marshals (known as game masters), your child may still encounter undesirable individuals who may subject him or her to harassment or bullying inside the game. For an example of sexual harassment in MapleStory, see the following Youtube video:
"How to pick up girls in MapleStory" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcuMKK8l0FU
- Increased Aggression ()
Though seemingly a cartoonish game without visible blood or gore, research from Douglas Gentile, Director of Research, National Institute on Media and the Family, have indicated that practicing intentional harm i.e. hacking and slashing at in-game monsters, increases aggression in the player. This aggression could manifest itself in verbal form (eg. using vulgarities) or in physical form (eg. slamming the keyboard or mouse).
POSSIBLE BENEFITS
- Parent-Child Bonding
Children today are exposed very early to games like MapleStory through peer influence. Instead of letting the children play on their own, parents can consider playing the game together with their children. Through gaming, there will be opportunities for parent-child interaction and teachable moments where values can be shared regarding controversial in-game behaviors i.e. killing stealing (taking the credit from others) and trash talking.
MY CHILD WANTS TO START PLAYING MAPLESTORY... WHAT CAN I DO?
- Seek to understand your child's motivations in wanting to play MapleStory and propose non-gaming alternatives that are in-line with these motivations. For example, if your child plays MapleStory so that he can have a high-level character and so be respected by others, encourage your child to channel his energies to excel in other areas such as his CCA or sports.
- Agree with your child on the amount of time that can be spent on the game each week and whether money can be spent to buy virtual items
- Teach your child to log off from the game whenever he or she meets people that make them uncomfortable and to inform you when they are or harassed or bullied in-game
WHAT SOME PARENTS SAY ABOUT THIS GAME
- "It was a great tool to connect with my daughter. Initially, we created our own characters but soon we dropped one and shared the same character instead. It became like a sort of joint venture." - Mother of 2 kids
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Question: My child claims that he has not spent any money on MapleStory. Is there a way I can verify this?
Answer: Ask your child to log into maple.asiasoftsea.net and show you the transaction history under A-Cash => My Cash Information. You should not see any transactions in the history for the specified time period. Note that there are ways to circumvent this check eg. showing you someone else's transaction history or buying items using another player's account.
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