UK May Drop European Game Rating System

Submitted by Michael Mjanes

According to reports in both the Guardian and MCV, the soon-to-be released Byron Report is likely to recommend that the UK drop the European PEGI ratings system for video games in favour of the BBFC’s movie classification system. Currently the UK system is a hybrid of both the PEGI and BBFC ratings. Games which depict “gross violence”, sexual activity, or “techniques likely to be useful in the commission of offences” are classified under the BBFC’s film rating system. Otherwise, games retain their PEGI ratings.

Patrice Chazerand, Director General of the Interactive Software Federation of Europe, sent a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown calling the move a “mistake” and a “backwards step”. In an interview with MCV, Chazerand said that the current system is trusted and understood by parents and that a move away from the pan-European system ignores the global aspect of the game industry.

Dr. Tanya Byron, a clinical psychologist, is due to publish her findings next month. Last year she was tasked by the government to look at the potential risks and benefits to children and teenagers from new technology. Part of her review involves looking into the violence aspect of both videogames and the Internet.