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Byron calls for more BBFC action, ratings system overhaul
As you all probably know, following the whole Manhunt 2 thing, noted psychologist in the country Dr. Tanya Byron was knee-deep in an investigation into the effects of games and internet media on children in the UK. Her verdict? The BBFC should have a bigger role in rating games (right now, they only intervene on games flagged with violent, sexual and criminal content).Her solution involves a new 12+ classification, as well as the BBFC handling just about all duties involving rating games. But, as anticipated, she's also endorsed the PEGI system, as well. She hopes that the PEGI ratings can go on the back of the game's box, with the BBFC classification being displayed on the front.This is all just the tip of the iceberg, however. Her report has lots more interesting information, so for the rest, head on over to Game Politics.[Via Joystiq]
UK's Byron Review recommends expanded game ratings system
A report concerning the effects of games and internet media on children, led by one Dr. Tanya Byron, was released in the UK today. Among its recommendations are a change to the UK's video game ratings system, which would see the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) assuming a more prominent role in game releases, rating more titles and establishing a new 12+ classification. Currently, the BBFC only examines games flagged for violent, sexual and criminal content -- adopting the lower age limit would undoubtedly result in a dramatic increase in workload.Though Byron hopes that more film-like ratings will ease confusion among befuddled parents, the report also suggests the incorporation of Europe's PEGI rating system, with its notice appearing on the back of a game's box and the BBFC's on the front. Any retailer ignoring these ratings and selling games to a child under the printed age limit will also find itself on the wrong side of the law, as the report would deem such an act illegal. You can read a thorough layout of the report over at Game Politics.
Many call for BBFC to step aside from games following Manhunt 2 ordeal
Many folks think the ratings board should discontinue its work with video games, as they voice concerns over the decision to allow Manhunt 2 to be sold in the country. They feel the games classification process in the UK has some major issues. Many are even expecting the report of Dr. Tanya Byron, one of the country's most popular psychologists, to support a different ratings institution when she releases it later this month.Darren Waters, editor of BBC News' technology index, rips apart the BBFC, stating "The grudging nature of the BBFC's statement, that it now has "no alternative" but to grant the title a certificate, coupled with the fact the body went to the High Court, twice rejected the game itself and tried to overturn the original judgment of the VAC leaves the organization with its credibility bruised."Others have come through to voice their concerns, as well. General consensus seems to be that the new classification system will fall squarely on the shoulders of PEGI (Pan European Game Information), another games classification system that is completely voluntary on the part of the game developers.%Gallery-3148%[Via Go Nintendo]
BBFC defends rating system after Microsoft exec. remark
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) defended itself today following remarks by Microsoft's UK head of corporate affairs, Matt Lambert, who said the BBFC is designed to rate films and not games. Lambert believes the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) system brings more "depth" and is more "sensible." The BBFC told GI.biz that it knows "for a fact that the public is confused by [the PEGI] symbols."The BBFC says it has research that "the public couldn't get their heads around" the pictograms the PEGI uses for its rating system, stating it simply lays out in words what's in a game. The BBFC believes parents know what they are getting from its classification system because it's the same one used for movies. The BBFC also points out that PEGI ratings are "tick-box system filled in by the distributor themselves" instead of a group of "very well-qualified games examiners." A similar awkward clash of rating systems occurred in the States last year when Best Buy started adding Common Sense ratings to its site and stepping on the ESRB's toes, it has since toned that down significantly.
Klonoa rated by the PEGI for the PlayStation Network
The PEGI (Pan-European Game Information) website has revealed another upcoming PS1 title that may be coming to the PSN within the next few months. Klonoa has been rated "3+" for the PlayStation Network. As fans of the quirky platformer (and its PS2 brother, Klonoa 2) we can't wait to see it hit the PSN Store. With the recent leaks of Vib Ribbon alongside this, it seems that SCEE are stepping up on keeping the quality level of upcoming PS1 games consistant. Let's have fewer games like Hardcore 4x4 and more memorable, top shelf PS1 games. Of course, there's no word on when this might be hitting the European store, so keep your eyes out. We're expecting to see it sometime in the next eleven and a half months. If we're lucky. [Thanks Merc25]
The day the music died: Jam Sessions' EU boxart
We were kind enough to call out the emperor on his new clothes, tapping Ubisoft's shoulder and explaining how we felt about its awful Jam Sessions advertisement, but the company ignored our advice and went on to use the promotional photo for the game's packaging art across the Atlantic. In short, Jam Sessions' European boxart is absolutely repulsive.It's already unfortunate that all titles under the PEGI's rule must bear the rating system's unsightly standard, but Jam Sessions' cover has to also suffer this guy's contorted expression. As excited as we are about the guitar trainer, we can't believe Ubisoft would use this for its boxart. Jump past the break to compare the design with Jam Sessions' North American and Japanese covers.
Euro rating system PEGI goes online
The Pan European Game Information, or PEGI, rating system is currently used for all offline video game releases in the United Kingdom and Europe. Now it's looking to tackle online, too. The PEGI Online has been a project eighteen months in the making. A multi-language website has launched to inform about the new initiative and provide resources to explain online gaming to the not-so-tech savvy parents. Additionally, a PEGI Online symbol has been created to go on the back of games who adhere to the PEGI Online Safety Code. The code insists that license holders (developers, publishers) use their "best endeavors" to prevent offensive material from proliferating through the online service. We applaud the clause for a coherent privacy policy, but are cautious toward a call for disallowing all game content not appropriately rated through PEGI, BBFC or German USK from a website. Pending interpretation of the wording and the aptitude of lawmakers regarding technology, that could be applied to user-made content such as Halo 3 replays or entrants in the Unreal Tournament mod competitions. We want a code to protect children, so long as it's not inappropriately used in a detrimental manner.
IGN provides BBFC primer for non-Brits
Let's face it, most gamers outside of Great Britain couldn't pick the British Board of Film Classification out of a lineup before their recent, controversial decision to deny classification to Manhunt 2. IGN decided to help us non-Brits out with a nice, in-depth interview with BBFC Press Office Manager Susan Clark.While the BBFC officially uses the same set of guidelines in evaluating both games and movies, Clark acknowledged that the board takes repetition and interactivity into account when making decisions about games. "We might say 'Okay, if that had been a film, it would be okay in a linear format but with the element of interactivity in games, with the ability to do it over and over again, we might bump the rating up to a higher category,'" Clark said. Clark also admitted that, by law, the board has to "bear in mind the fact that these games will be potentially accessed by younger viewers ... We know that games are very, very attractive to under-aged players, particularly the 18 rated games." What, and violent movies aren't?Despite the double standards, there's a lot to be praised about the BBFC system. Unlike the ESRB, the BBFC actually plays every game they review for about five hours, and they are the only regulator in the world not controlled politically or by the industry, according to Clark. All in all, if there's going to be occasional censorship, we can't think of a better group of people to be doing it.
The great divide: UK vs US censorship
When listing the differences between the UK and the USA one usually thinks of spelling, gastronomy and driving on the wrong side of the road, rather than film and game censorship. However, this fascinating post at Terra Nova (along with its thriving comments thread) delves into the differences between the BBFC and MPAA, as well as cultural factors, to try and establish why American consumers are less happy to have age restrictions on games.The whole thread gives an international perspective to current debates over the censorship of violent games. While sexual content in games can be treated as pornography, the lack of existing US legislation covering violence across other media means that singling games out is plain unfair. In the UK, however, ratings of violent and extremely realistic games fall under the Video Recordings Act, which covers any recorded video media.We have to wonder when games will get a category of their own and stand alongside more established media such as film and TV. In the meantime, to find out more about international game classification, Wikipedia's a great place to begin.
