BBFC
Latest
The UK’s porn license plan remains a mess
In the end, we 'll be left with a system that can't work, run by a company that doesn't want it to work, and that won't protect the very people it's intended to protect.
UK delays mandatory age verification on porn sites
Ever since the Digital Economy Act became UK law this time last year, we've known there would come a time when porn sites would be compelled to verify the age of British visitors to ensure they're only letting adults in. Not long after, the UK's digital minister set a deadline of April 2018, at which point porn sites would have to comply or face the consequences. We had assumed everything was on track, but the UK government has admitted we're nowhere near ready to police porn sites, and now it expects age verification won't be enforceable until the end of the year.
Pornhub owner may become the UK's gatekeeper of online porn
NSFW Warning: This story may contain links to and descriptions or images of explicit sexual acts. Mindgeek may be the most powerful company that you've never heard of, or at least, a company you'll claim never to have heard about in polite society. It's the conglomerate that owns some of the world's most visited porn sites, including Pornhub, RedTube and YouPorn. Far from simply being a popular and free way for people to consume adult content, it may soon have a powerful political role in the UK that will ensure its dominance for decades to come. That's because, within the next year, Mindgeek may become the principal gatekeeper between the country's internet users and their porn.
Britain's film board to enforce online porn age checks
The UK government is inching closer to a new piece of legislation that will require porn sites to introduce age checks. Such an idea has been kicking around for well over two years, but finally the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) seems ready to implement it. An amendment to the Digital Economy Bill will give the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) the power to block sites that fail to abide by the new rule. Should they find a porn provider breaking the law, they'll be able to contact ISPs, including mobile networks, and request that they restrict access.
Age ratings for online UK music videos are here to stay
After a six-month trial, the UK government has successfully persuaded record labels, YouTube and Vevo to display age ratings on music videos. Under the new system, labels will pass their work onto the BBFC before sending the final rating onto YouTube and Vevo. The video will then list the classification in its description and, in YouTube's case, be restricted to adult viewers if it's been given an 18. Vevo says it's looking at a similar system that would link ratings to age controls on its site, but we're still waiting on the details.
UK tries to protect kids by rating music videos like movies
While David Cameron's broadband filters are doing an admirable job of shielding Britain's young eyes from adult content, the government reckons it can do more. That's why, as from October, it'll treat music videos like movies and begin placing age ratings on them. The Prime Minister announced the new program during a speech yesterday, noting that the government will work with the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) to "protect [..] children from some of the graphic content music videos" hosted on YouTube and Vevo.
Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition outed by BBFC
It would seem Warner Bros. is looking to re-release Mortal Kombat, perhaps bundled with all of the DLC characters released. At least, that's what we gleaned from a recent rating that popped up on the BBFC, the British Board of Film Classifications. They also rate video games. February 17 is the listed launch date for this potential re-release. But right now, outside of the date and our own speculation, there isn't much else to go on. We expect that will change soon enough.
Killzone 3 contains over an hour of cutscenes
The "3" in "Killzone 3" might as well stand for the quantity of cinematics in Guerilla's latest shooter -- three times the amount employed by Killzone 2. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) said in its bestowing of an "18" (mature) rating on the game that its cutscenes total 70 minutes. Its predecesor, by comparison, contained 25 minutes worth of story sequences, according to the BBFC. Let's see: We know that characters voiced by Malcolm McDowell and Ray Winstone will be chewing up the scenery for a good chunk of that hour and 10 minutes; the rest will therefore be composed of shouting space marines and other guys who are also shouting but have red "eyes." Someone get Michael Bay on the phone!
BBFC uncovers Activision's plans to hold a massive Blood Drive
Yes, after suffering a few years of not-so-flattering opinions among hardcore gamers, Activision has decided to use its considerable wealth and power for more altruistic enterprises. The British Board of Film Classification recently revealed that the gargantuan publisher is hosting a Blood Drive of unparalleled scope later this year, which it hopes will deliver billions of gallons of precious hemoglobinz to people across the globe who need those hemoglobinz. Hah! We're just kidding, of course. Can you imagine? No, no, the BBFC just rated a game coming from Activision called Blood Drive, a car combat action game for the Xbox 360 and PS3. The rating mentions "strong language and gory violence," leading us to believe it will focus more on the killing side of said genre, rather than the racing side. According to CVG, an Amazon listing which has since been pulled gave the title an October 26 launch date. We'll let you know when we hear more. (A real blood drive. Oh man. You should have seen your faces!)
BBFC: Dragon Age Ultimate Edition to include Awakening and all DLC
Despite popping up on GameStop and having been rated by Australia's OFLC, the so-called "Dragon Age Origins - Ultimate Edition" still hasn't been officially announced by EA. Now the British Board of Film Classification has gone ahead and listed the supposed contents of the re-release, which is "made up of a number of separate components," including: Dragon Age: Origins (original game) Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening (standalone expansion) "The Darkspawn Chronicles" (DLC) "Feastday Combo Pack" (DLC) "The Golems of Amgarrak" (DLC) "Leliana's Song" (DLC) "Return to Ostagar" (DLC) "The Stone Prisoner" (lDLC) "Warden's Keep" (DLC) "Witch Hunt" (DLC) While the GameStop listing has since been removed, the retailer had posted a $60 price and an October 12 release date for the Ultimate Edition. We'll be sure to note the official details when EA officially announces them.
Batman: Arkham Asylum GOTY edition outed by BBFC listing
A BBFC classification for a "Game of the Year" edition of Batman: Arkham Asylum has popped up online, causing quite a stir here at Joystiq HQ. While we all agree that Batman was "a game of the year," the listing offers no clues as to what would be included in a GOTY package. So, allow us to activate detective mode: First, there are the two DLC packs for the game to consider: the "Insane Night" Map Pack (free for everyone) and "Prey In The Darkness," available on PS3 in the US and on both PS3 and Xbox 360 in Europe. Also, those who pre-ordered the original release from GameStop received access to the challenge map "Dem Bones," while those that snagged the fancy Collector's Edition got their own unique challenge map in "Crime Alley" -- both could certainly be included in a special edition re-release. Considering all the DLC out there (but c'mon, we want more Rocksteady!), there's a valid GOTY edition in the making here. And how about a batarang upgrade, too? (That cheap plastic one just didn't cut it.) We've turned on our 'stiq signal in the hopes of attracting Warner Bros., Eidos and Rocksteady for clarification. We'll let you know just as soon as they show up on our rooftop. [Thanks, C.A.]
Heavy Rain handed '15' rating, BBFC explains
In a rather surprising act of mature judgment, the British Board of Film Classification has assigned Quantic Dream's Heavy Rain a "15" rating. Given the so-called adult themes of the western interactive novel (a genre we're classifying right here), the expectation had been that the game would receive an "18" rating, which is even reflected on retail art mock-ups. The other European ratings board, PEGI, has yet to post its classification for the game. Speaking with IncGamers, a BBFC spokesperson explained, "These are obviously not real people, or real people acting, and it all depends on the level of blood and violence. We use the same classification for games as we do for films, and this game is suitable for a 15 audience." That's odd, we could have sworn many "real people" acted in Heavy Rain. Still, we're pleasantly surprised to see a ratings board bring equity into play by reviewing a game within the same guidelines used for movies. %Gallery-30067% [Via Eurogamer]
BBFC: Sega compiling Sonic games for DS
The BBFC classification site lists a "Sonic Classic Collection" coming to DS soon. Normally, with these ratings, we'd be left to speculate as to the identity of the games on the collection -- however, the BBFC helpfully provided a list of games on the cart! According to the rating, it'll feature Sonic 1-3, plus Sonic and Knuckles -- with the ability to virtually "Lock-on" and play as Knuckles in the older games. Also included in the shockingly specific list of in-game content: Sonic Chronicles and "The History of Sonic" video content and the art gallery. We can only hope it turns out better than Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis on GBA. [Via Kombo]
Publishers face big fines for lying to PEGI
The UK-based Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) is trying to show that the PEGI system -- which it supported in the great BBFC ousting of '09 -- is by no means weaker than the BBFC ratings that used to be oversee the region. Speaking with MCV, the group took the opportunity to warn publishers: "Abuse [the] new system and risk your future." Publishers may face fines of €500,000 ($696K) if they lie on the questionnaire, which allows PEGI and the Video Standards Council to determine an appropriate rating for their games.ELSPA's statement and teeth bearing are to ease concerns that PEGI won't be strong enough for the UK when it's implemented this holiday. ELSPA is essentially using a "see, we told them to play nice" tactic to save face, just in case the rating system it supported has an incident.
Baking news: GTA IV meth recipe flawed
From the obscure annals of May 2008 comes the testimony of BBFC head David Cooke, who confirmed that the now irrelevant UK ratings board had investigated the authenticity of "instructional information about how to make the drug crystal meth" in Grand Theft Auto IV. The incident was brought to light today in a Times Online article examining PEGI's recent appointment as the sole UK video games classification authority and allegations that the organization might not be as thorough as the BBFC had been in its review process; for example: testing out GTA IV's so-called meth recipe.We're not certain just how far the BBFC went in its drug trial, but "independent advice" was sought in order to deem that "crucial ingredients and techniques were missing" from the scrutinized game content. What does this mean for the rest of us? Well, one, if you're in the planning stages of a homebrewed meth lab, you should probably look beyond GTA IV's suggestions. And, two, if you've already got your lab up and running, you may want to contact your legal team and tell them that the "GTA made me do it" defense isn't going to work this time. That is, only if the coppers catch you before you blow yourself up.[Via GamePolitics]
PEGI becomes UK standard for ratings, other organization gains power to ban games
The UK government announced today that the PEGI system will become the sole classification standard for video games in the region. However, it's not that simple. The government also gave the power to ban games to the Video Standards Council, another independent system that has been around since 1989, who will apparently determine if games coming into the UK comply with PEGI ratings before giving it license to sell. The whole situation sounds even more confusing than the BBFC vs. PEGI issues that we've been reporting on for years. Speaking of the BBFC, the organization will no longer be involved in the classification of games, which is sad -- the group did give us some uncomfortable laughs over the years. We're still not exactly clear on how the UK's new rating system works, but according to Baroness Shepherd, president of the VSC, the group will exercise its "new power independently of the PEGI system, providing a 'fail-safe' for the UK - protecting children through PEGI and addressing UK-specific sensibilities by refusing classification of any game which falls foul of the Video Recordings Act. This decision is the right one for consumers in the UK." We'll see.Source -- PEGI becomes UK standard for game ratingsSource -- VSC given power to ban videogamesSource -- VSC given tough powers for non-compliance of PEGI system
UK retailers caught selling mature games to undercover teen
A sting operation set up by the UK's Trading Standards organization caught 12 retailers selling games with BBFC '18' ratings to a 14-year-old -- specifically, the 14-year-old who volunteered to go undercover for the group. In the US, such negligence from cashiers would merely be disappointing. In the UK, it's illegal.Of the sixteen retail outlets visited last week by the young narc, only four declined to sell contraband games: Gamestation, GAME, PC World and WH Smith. Some of the other retailers even had automatic warnings on their registers, which the cashiers ignored as they broke the law."Given the previous good compliance record with attempted test purchasing of tobacco in Dundee," a Trading Standards rep said, "it is very disappointing that so many large retailers have ignored their own systems in regard to restricted video game sales. Clearly there are issues that need to be addressed, and we will be following up matters with the retailers involved."
Rumorang: BBFC rates 'Silent Hill'
We hope Konami may soon be ready to scare some truth out of earlier rumors of a Silent Hill remake for the Wii and PSP. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) recently posted a '15' rating for Silent Hill, with a listing that contains an interesting breakdown of scenes from the game with titles like "ANKH ROOM" and "CYBIL'S DEATH." Last month's rumor laid dev duties at the feet of Silent Hill: Origins creator Climax, though Konami has yet to make anything official. We're trying to reach either Konami or Climax for comment ... but the lines are cut, and there's an unsettling noise coming from behind the door.Of course, this could just as well be a PSN re-release. And yes, we'll take one of those too.[Via Kotaku]
BBFC doesn't note racism in submitted Resident Evil 5 scene
The British Board of Film Classification does not see an "issue around racism" in a particular Resident Evil 5 scene that may be considered inflammatory. Kikizo asked the BBFC's communication head, Sue Clark, about a specific scene where a (*minor spoiler warning*) white, blond woman is dragged by a black man and "impregnated" with the virus, in a way that evokes racist imagery.Clark explains that the version of the scene submitted to the BBFC didn't have a black man dragging the woman. She explains that if the scene submitted were not the same as the retail version, it would be "illegal under the terms of the VRA [Video Recordings Act ]." RE5 producer Jun Takeuchi told us in a recent interview that when players finally get their hands on the full game, he believes "they will see and understand what it is all about; that there is no racial element to it at all."
UK survey: 74% want independent ratings body
A recent survey conducted by YouGov for the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) revealed that most UK citizens want an independent body to issue game ratings. GI.biz reports that a majority of those surveyed also said that they would prefer to see games use the same rating standard as movies. The BBFC hopes to use this survey as leverage in its bid to become the UK's primary game ratings body. Currently, the BBFC only rates games with a certain level of mature content, though that may change thanks to last year's Byron Review.The BBFC competes with Europe's PEGI ratings, which already appear on UK game releases. The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) argues that the PEGI system is superior to the BBFC. Said ELSPA director general Mike Rawlinson, "Gamers no longer just play with their mates but play online, and we need a system that reflects this situation and protects their interests," adding that the PEGI system is the "right solution for child safety." Rawlinson further states that ELSPA will be promoting the PEGI system with a "multi million pound campaign" designed to get the word out to UK parents. Finally, he says that ELSPA has conducted its own research with YouGov that supports its argument.The irony of all this, of course, is that this fight is being waged to make ratings less confusing.
