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Game Banned for Lesbian Scene

Microsoft's anticipated "Mass Effect" not showing up in Singapore

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 15, 2007 8:53 AM CST

(Newser) – Singaporeans anticipating Microsoft’s much-ballyhooed Mass Effect video game should stop anticipating. Thanks to a scene in which a human woman kisses and caresses an alien woman, Singapore has banned the action-RPG, Reuters reports. Microsoft said it would respect the ban, but outraged gamers decried the decision as too strict. Sex between men is against the law in Singapore.

When Parliament re-affirmed that law last month, the prime minister applauded, saying homosexuals should receive no special rights. Singapore’s tight censorship policies, which prohibit excessive sex or violence and anything racially or religiously offensive, have shot down two other recent games: God of War 2, for nudity, and The Darkness for violence and religiously offensive expletives.

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This undated screen shot provided by Bioware, shows "Mass Effect." Electronic Arts plans to acquire BioWare, developers of "Mass Effect," and Pandemic Studios. (AP Photo/BioWare) (Associated Press)

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Game Banned for Lesbian Scene