UK government details game rating options

When it came out in March, the Byron Review, a report commissioned by the government into the effects of videogames and the Internet on children, was received relatively favourably by the industry.

Since then, however, things have gone downhill, with a debate developing about potential changes to game ratings. The Electronic Leisure Software Publishers Association -- the trade body representing games publishers in the UK -- has been fighting in the corner of PEGI (Pan European Game Information), the current nonstatutory pan-European system, which assigns ratings across Europe based primarily on information supplied by developers and publishers.

The British Board of Film Classification, on the other hand, has been defending the potential expansion of its role suggested by Dr Byron. BBFC ratings are already legally enforceable, but are currently applied only to a very small proportion of games, as well as all movies.

This spat looks set to continue with the publication of the latest statements on the matter by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which marks the start of a consultation period into how best to address the problems with the current system.

"The current system of classification comes from a time when videogames were in their infancy," said Margaret Hodge, the culture minister. "We have also seen a big growth in games aimed at a grown-up market," she continued, "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."

The document then goes on to present four possible options for the revamping of the rating system. Firstly, a BBFC/PEGI hybrid system is suggested -- which very closely follows Dr Byron's recommendations -- that would see the BBFC rating all games aimed at the over-12s, with PEGI looking after those aimed at the younger market and hence less in need of legal enforcement. "For this to work best, the BBFC and PEGI would need to agree to harmonise their logos and age classifications so there is no further potential for confusion," the recommendation document states.

The second suggestion is that of enhancements to the PEGI system alone, with the backup of a UK-based body such as the Video Standards Council to give the current system weight in law. Thirdly, a BBFC-only system is mooted that removes the need for PEGI entirely, with existing ratings from U to 18 used, as they are for movies, and with the power to refuse classification to potentially harmful material left intact.

Finally, a voluntary code of practice for retailers is suggested. This would see the ratings bodies continuing to act as they do now, but anyone selling games would be encouraged to sign on to a code of practice, outlining a commitment to abide by the PEGI ratings, even though they carry no weight in law.

There is currently no official time frame for the consultation period, but it is expected to last upwards of several months as the government collects views from the public as well as from across the UK games industry, with consultation of retailers, developers and publishers all promised.

The BBFC welcomed the report, with a spokesperson telling CNET.co.uk's sister site GameSpot UK, "Two independent reviews -- the Byron Review and the CMS Select Committee Report -- have both come out categorically in favour of a much greater role for the BBFC in games classification. We are very happy and able to take on an increased role."

ELSPA has come out to bat in favour of the PEGI system, with managing director Michael Rawlinson saying in a statement today, "We believe the PEGI ratings system is the only one that truly protects children, understands the interactive nature of rating games, and is the only system endorsed by the games industry."