DCMS consultation to improve video games rating system

Today, Thursday 31 July, Culture Minister Margaret Hodge announced that the Department for Culture, Media And Sport (National) (DCMS) would initiate a consultation aimed at improving the current rating methods for the classification of video games. A new, legally enforceable system of age classification will help to make sure that video games are played by the appropriate age group, giving parents, retailers and consumers the guidance they need to make informed choices.

Clinical psychologist Dr Tanya Byron, in her report Safer Children in a Digital World, recognised the potential for learning, development and enjoyment that has come with the growth of video games, but also identified a need to protect children and young people from harmful or inappropriate material. She recommended a reform of the classification system for rating games that is flexible and appropriate for the internet, and carries a single set of trustworthy and recognisable symbols.

Hodge said "The current system of classification comes from a time when video games were in their infancy. In recent years there have been extraordinary developments in technology, with increasingly realistic gameplay and highly evolved storylines. At the same time more and more games are now accessed on line. "We have also seen a big growth in games aimed at a grown-up market, which invariably include scenes unsuitable for young people. The games market has simply outgrown the classification system, so today we are consulting on options that will make games classification useful and relevant again."

Currently there are two parallel systems in place for rating video games in the UK. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has the power to impose legally enforceable age limits on games that depict certain violent or sexual behaviour, or to ban games completely. All other games are classified by PEGI, a non-enforceable pan-European system set up voluntarily by the video games industry and administered in the UK by the Video Standards Council.

The Government is now seeking views on four options for video games classification. Those options are for:

• a hybrid of the current BBFC and PEGI systems, with a legal requirement for the BBFC to rate all games suitable for players over the age of 12;
• a system based solely on PEGI ratings, but enforceable by law;
• a system using only BBFC ratings; or
• a continuation of the current arrangement, backed up by a code of practice to ensure that retailers and suppliers comply with the system.

According to a BBC News story the government announcement has already ruffled some feathers in the gaming industry, although on examination the BBC report may be exaggerating a little. In her comments on the government proposals Dr Byron had suggested a hybrid scheme, putting BBFC ratings on the front of boxes and Pegi ratings on the rear.

The Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association (Elspa) says they would prefer a single rating system. Michael Rawlinson, managing director of Elspa said "What we are asking for is the government to empower Pegi with legal backing," – "We would like to remove confusion and have Pegi rate all games under the umbrella of the Video Recordings Act,". Mr, Rawlinson apparently characterised Dr Byrons suggestion that video game packaging might carry two ratings as "ridiculous". He added "The compromise that Tanya Byron recommended in her report was not a good one for child safety,".

(trk)