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Row over video games ratings plan Row over video games ratings plan
(about 2 hours later)
Planned changes to the way video games are rated have sparked a row about who should be in charge of giving games their official age classification.Planned changes to the way video games are rated have sparked a row about who should be in charge of giving games their official age classification.
Culture Minister Margaret Hodge has announced a consultation on whether the ratings for games should replicate the system for movies.Culture Minister Margaret Hodge has announced a consultation on whether the ratings for games should replicate the system for movies.
But games makers oppose plans, backed by MPs, for the British Board of Film Classification to rate games as well.But games makers oppose plans, backed by MPs, for the British Board of Film Classification to rate games as well.
The games industry wants its own voluntary code to be made official.The games industry wants its own voluntary code to be made official.
Under the current system the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) only rates those games considered to have significant adult content such as sexual material or extreme violence.Under the current system the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) only rates those games considered to have significant adult content such as sexual material or extreme violence.
About 3% of all the games sold in the UK fall into this category and can only legally be sold to those aged over 18.About 3% of all the games sold in the UK fall into this category and can only legally be sold to those aged over 18.
All other games are rated under the Pan European Game Information system - an industry administered scheme.All other games are rated under the Pan European Game Information system - an industry administered scheme.
Four optionsFour options
March 2008 saw the publication of Dr Tanya Byron's review of the risks faced by children if exposed to harmful or inappropriate material on the internet or in video games.March 2008 saw the publication of Dr Tanya Byron's review of the risks faced by children if exposed to harmful or inappropriate material on the internet or in video games.
HAVE YOUR SAYRatings provide a better guide for non-gaming parents to find suitable entertainment for their childrenJohn, Maidstone, UKSend us your comments
In a bid to limit harmful exposure Dr Byron recommended that the rating system for games be reformed to make it easier for parents to work out if a video game was appropriate for their children.In a bid to limit harmful exposure Dr Byron recommended that the rating system for games be reformed to make it easier for parents to work out if a video game was appropriate for their children.
Dr Byron suggested a hybrid scheme putting BBFC ratings on the front of boxes and Pegi ratings on the rear.Dr Byron suggested a hybrid scheme putting BBFC ratings on the front of boxes and Pegi ratings on the rear.
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Dr Tanya Byron's recommendations
Announcing its response to the Byron Review recommendations, culture minister Margaret Hodge, said: "The current system of classification comes from a time when video games were in their infancy."Announcing its response to the Byron Review recommendations, culture minister Margaret Hodge, said: "The current system of classification comes from a time when video games were in their infancy."
She added: "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."She added: "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."
Over the next few months the government is seeking responses to find out the favoured method of changing ratings and giving them legal backing.Over the next few months the government is seeking responses to find out the favoured method of changing ratings and giving them legal backing.
The four options are:The four options are:
• A hybrid BBFC/Pegi system.
  • A hybrid BBFC/Pegi system.
    • • Pegi ratings only.
  • Pegi ratings only.
    • • BBFC ratings only.
  • BBFC ratings only.
    • • No change except for the introduction of a scheme to ensure shops and suppliers comply.
  • No change except for the introduction of a scheme to ensure shops and suppliers comply.
    • But a report published by MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has backed the BBFC to be the body to oversee games ratings.But a report published by MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has backed the BBFC to be the body to oversee games ratings.
    In response to it getting a much greater role, a spokesman for the BBFC said: "There would be no problem at all taking on the extra work."In response to it getting a much greater role, a spokesman for the BBFC said: "There would be no problem at all taking on the extra work."
    He said the way it was funded meant it could add extra staff to cope if it was asked to rate a much greater number of titles.He said the way it was funded meant it could add extra staff to cope if it was asked to rate a much greater number of titles.
    'Ridiculous' plan'Ridiculous' plan
    For its part the Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association (Elspa) said it would prefer that the industry-backed Pegi scheme became the only rating system.For its part the Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association (Elspa) said it would prefer that the industry-backed Pegi scheme became the only rating system.
    "What we are asking for is the government to empower Pegi with legal backing," said Michael Rawlinson, managing director of Elspa."What we are asking for is the government to empower Pegi with legal backing," said Michael Rawlinson, managing director of Elspa.
    "We would like to remove confusion and have Pegi rate all games under the umbrella of the Video Recordings Act," he said."We would like to remove confusion and have Pegi rate all games under the umbrella of the Video Recordings Act," he said.
    Parents needed to know whether they were buying a film or a game, he said.Parents needed to know whether they were buying a film or a game, he said.
    He said all the titles the BBFC rate are also currently rated under Pegi for reasons of "consistency and child safety".He said all the titles the BBFC rate are also currently rated under Pegi for reasons of "consistency and child safety".
    As more and more games move online the need for consistency of rating was paramount, he said.As more and more games move online the need for consistency of rating was paramount, he said.
    He said it would be "ridiculous" for video game packaging to carry two ratings.He said it would be "ridiculous" for video game packaging to carry two ratings.
    "The compromise that Tanya Byron recommended in her report was not a good one for child safety," he said."The compromise that Tanya Byron recommended in her report was not a good one for child safety," he said.