Just days after talking about the ban on Xbox 360 game Mass Effect, the Media Development Authority (MDA) today announced that the game will be released onto the shelves of computer games sellers after all. Only difference is, the game will be sold with a M18 label, which restricts sales to consumers 18 years and above.

I must say that this decision is really an eye opener. And it is interesting to find out what were the factors that affected the authority’s decisions and cause them to withdraw the earlier verdict on the game’s ban.  Anyway, the controversy arises because of a love sex scene between a female human and a female alien.

My guess will be an attempt to make everyone happy including avid Mass Effect gamers and of course the holiday season is here. I think it is also an effort to extirpate the sales of pirated versions of such products especially the outcry caused by fanatic gamers over the ban.

Interestingly, there are more than four raids conducted during these few days in the previously known as the infamous tower of piracy: Sim Lim Square. Bootleg versions of Nintendo products, namely its gaming console, NDS were seized because many of the store owners were found to be peddling these products that allow pirated games to be played. And I guess the NDS is targeted because it is relatively cheaper, and more appealing to the kids out there. Christmas is a season of giving gifts, and perhaps, this product is more likely to be under heavy surveillance by local watchdogs.