byron-report
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Microsoft: Byron regulations may make games more expensive in UK
We sense a pattern developing. Neil Thompson, Microsoft's UK regional director for Entertainment and Devices Devision, is "concerned" that the implementation of the Byron Review recommendations may increase the cost of games for consumers in the UK. This comes days after EA's Keith Ramsdale said the review's ideas could delay the release of games in the region.The Byron Review recommends all games that'll receive a 12+ certification need to be evaluated by the British Board of Film Classification; only games flagged to have sex, violence or criminal activity currently receive the review. The industry is fighting the Byron recommendation so it can avoid the extra costs incurred by a BBFC review. Thompson goes on to endorse the publisher-supported PEGI system as a reasonable response to the Byron Review recommendations. Well, we've now heard from two bears, one more complaint and we should unlock the "Goldilocks Achievement."
Brits may see another WAR delay
Don't worry too much, there's just a slight probability -- nothing too serious! We just thought you may want to know that due to government-proposed changes to the age rating system for videogames, there's a slight chance that Warhammer Online could see a delay in the UK. However, what's more likely to happen is the game will have to jump through one or two more hoops, so to speak. So this is actually something that's more a pain for Electronic Arts than anyone looking forward to playing Warhammer Online later this year.Still, being ever-watchful of some of our more anticipated MMOs means that we're keeping this worry on a backburner somewhere in our brains. Somehow we imagine that if anything were to delay EA Mythic's Waaagh-filled MMO, it would be something unexpected like a ratings system change. After all, seeing as how WAR is aiming for a teen-and-up demographic the Byron Review could come into play here.
EA: Byron regulations may delay games for UK
Electronic Arts' UK general manager, Keith Ramsdale, tells GI.biz that the proposed game rating alterations asked for in the Byron Review will delay game releases in the country. Ramsdale believes the changes are an "unnecessary layer of administration" to the process. The main change requested in the Byron Review is that any game above a 12+ certification would need to be reviewed by the BBFC; currently the organization only takes on games flagged to have sex, violence or criminal activity. Ramsdale asks that the government poll consumers on the matter. Meanwhile, publishers continue to back the continent-covering PEGI system. As it has stated before, the BBFC is financially compensated by publishers for its work, and so doesn't expect to encounter problems when hiring more staff to keep up with a greater influx of games. So, not only will the group hire more people to keep up with the work load, but the new rules would also be a cash boom for the organization.
Tanya Byron addresses addiction, walks a fine line on TV
Some members of the gaming community were offended by the content of a BBC TV special written by psychologist Tanya Byron. The special spent a fair amount of time addressing the issue of game addiction. Among other things, it suggested that World of Warcraft addicts have some things in common with heroin or cocaine junkies, and even called WoW "a childish fantasy game."Gaming addiction is a real problem that needs to be addressed, but it's difficult not to cringe when comparisons like that are made in a society still rampant with misconceptions and prejudices about the medium. That said, don't start demonizing Tanya Byron just yet.
Won't somebody please think of the children?
Last year, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown commissioned the Department of Children, Schools, and Families to write a report on, among other things, the potentially harmful effects of the internet and video games on children and young people. Many harbored fears, based on past precedent, that this report wouldn't cast the game industry in a particularly flattering light. Despite these fears, the study, called the Byron Report, is not quite as damning as we might have thought.In particular, the chapter on online games identifies the fact that the discussion about online games and children should be moving away from seeking to find causal links between games and harm in favor of finding ways to empower children to make smart choices when it comes to games. At the same time, they recognize that its in their nature for children to push boundaries, and parents have to be willing to overcome their lack of awareness (with the help of retailers and the game industry in general) in order to police their children's online behavior.While we don't agree with all the recommendations of the report, which include some more Big Brother aspects like regulating content on the internet, we think that online games at least got a pass.[Via Terra Nova]
