As some of you know, Europe is currently in the midst of a game rating systems war of sorts. Some support the Pan European Game Information (PEGI), some support the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC - formerly known as the British Board of Film Censors). What to do?
The BBFC's Director David Cooke is firm on his stance, today rejecting criticisms some (like EA) are giving the Byron Report and its proposals for the game industry:
“We are disappointed and concerned about attempts by one or two video games publishers to pre-empt, through recent press statements, the forthcoming public consultation on video games classification. Their statements are misleading in several respects:The BBFC’s current average turnaround time for games classifications is eight calendar days. In terms of international comparisons, this is notably quick. There is no reason why the increased role for the BBFC envisaged by Dr Byron should lead to delays."
Interestingly, Cooke goes on to say the BBFC rating system is already cheaper than PEGI's due to its method of dealing "mainly with the most problematic games"; Cook says costs will fall further if they follow the Byron Report and deal with games, physical and online, rated '12' and above (though notably the Byron Report cost the government £275,000). Continuing:
"It is absurd to imply that the BBFC could not cope, or would need “a building the size of Milton Keynes”. The BBFC is a larger and better resourced organisation than PEGI, and is well used to gearing up, and to providing fast-track services where appropriate.We reject any suggestions that the Byron proposals for dealing with online games are not future-proof. Countries such as the USA and Germany already classify such games in a way which reflects national cultural sensibilities. The BBFC has made clear that we are prepared to work through PEGI Online, which already recognizes BBFC symbols. But, with online games, the real need is not a pan-national grouping of markets, but rather soundly based and independent initial classification, full information provision, and responsible self-regulation of online game-play backed by properly resourced independent monitoring and complaints mechanisms.
The games industry really does have nothing to fear from a set of proposals which would provide more robust, and fully independent, decisions, and detailed content advice, for the British public, and especially parents. The Byron proposals, far from envisaging the collapse of PEGI, specifically provide for a continuing PEGI presence in UK games classification. They also provide significant opportunities to reduce duplication of effort and costs. And they would make wider use of a system, the BBFC’s, which British parents recognize, trust and have confidence in.”
This is a rather complex issue and frankly I'm not decided on it. But I think Cook makes a good case and certainly seems to know what he's talking about and is passionate about it. I wonder though if since PEGI has been around for years and is familiar to the public (and is a body dedicated solely to games) if they should work with BBFC and not the other way around - just adopt the Byron Report's suggestions (some of them at least) and work from that end.
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