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PEGI: 'Dumping us is a big mistake'
Tim Ingham Feb 18 2008, 9:45am
Comments (3)
ISFE cautions UK Government against dangers of switching to cinema-style ratings
The Interactive Software Federation of Europe has fired out a worrying warning to Gordon Brown – labelling any move to drop its PEGI ratings in the wake of Dr. Tanya Byron’s inquiry a ‘mistake’ and a ‘backwards step’ for the UK.
ISFE director general Patrice Chazerand told MCV that the body’s own research shows that the current PEGI/BBFC shared system is trusted and understood by parents – in stark contrast to the findings of Dr. Byron’s Review.
“I would resent that idea of equating games to movies – it’s not the same experience,” Chazerand told MCV. “It’s a step backwards. If we are to see a move to movie-like classification, I would see it as a mistake. But I cannot speak for the UK public – or the UK Government.”
His comments come after The Guardian newspaper reported on last Saturday’s front page that uniform ‘cinema-style’ ratings are to be brought in by Labour following Dr.
Byron’s Review – the results of which are expected next month. The newspaper’s story followed a similar prediction by MCV on last week’s cover.
Chazerand also admitted that a switch to universal BBFC ratings would be damaging to PEGI – and that the UK may come to regret the move as games distribution evolves online.
“If your Government goes for a national solution over a pan-European one, I would take it as a blow to PEGI and not a reflection of the industry being global,” he commented.
“It’s not fitting to have a national system of game classification if you are current with the internet and if you are supportive of it. “
ELSPA told MCV that it could not provide a comment on the outcome of the Byron Review until it was published. next month.
Comments
“PEGI: 'Dumping us is a big mistake'”
Posted by: kevin - Feb 19, 8:45pm
more troy on the way
“Wrong way around”
Posted by: Rikki - Feb 21, 10:53am
Clearly they have decided that there is consumer confusion over games ratings, and by making them the same as cinema ones (I thought they were practically the same as cinema ones!) people will understand them better.
However, PEGI is not only the same across Europe (so you can buy DS games on holiday in France and understand the label) but it has more detail. It tells you why it is rated as such, and allows the discerning parent to choose violence over sex.
Really, cinema should catch up with the times and move to a system similar to PEGI!
“Re: Wrong way around”
Posted by: David Keppler - Feb 23, 1:37am
I think the PEGI ratings have always been weak to be honest and the fact they are not enforceable just makes them usless above 3+. Lets make it all less confusing and more controllable by using the U, PG, 12, 15 and 18 BBFC system which as parents and a nation we understand.