EA slams new UK ratings proposal

Via Telegraph.co.uk:

Plans to introduce cinema-style age classifications for video games have been criticised by the world's largest games developer.

Proposals for a strict and legally-binding classification system for video games were made by Dr Tanya Bryon, the TV psychologist, in her report in March on internet safety.

However, Electronic Arts, which makes about one in five video games sold in the UK, said that such a system would be unworkable and confusing.

At present, there are two systems for rating video games in Britain: the compulsory one run by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) and the voluntary one run by the Pan European Games Information body, known as PEGI.

Video games only get a mandatory review by the BBFC if they include "human sexual activity" or "gross violence".

PEGI's ratings, on the other hand, are designed primarily to educate parents about the content of a game It has its own age recommendations (3+, 7+, 12+, 16+ and 18+) as well as a series of symbols to depict certain features of a game, such as violence, drug abuse, discrimination or sexual behaviour.

Dr Byron proposed that the BBFC rate all games designed for older children that would attract a 12+ certificate. In her report, she recommended a system combining the cinema-style rating of U/PG/12/15/18 with parts of the PEGI system.

However, EA is calling for the voluntary PEGI system to be made legally binding. "

What we need is a single system," said Keith Ramsdale, who runs EA's business in the UK. "There are some video games that are already rated 18 on the current system but would be at 15 on the new cinema model."

His comments come only days after ministers said they would consult on changes to the age classification for video games.