BBFC's DVD classifications coming to games downloads; body to 'police' participating e-retailers
The British Board Of Film Classification is to introduce age ratings for downloadable video games in the UK – and 'police' online retailers to ensure they are not selling adult titles to youngsters.
The body this morning confirmed that it is to launch BBFC.online – a classification system for both e-retailers and downloadable games, film and TV content.
First revealed by MCV earlier this month, the scheme sees the BBFC logos and consumer advice made clear on the ‘purchase screen’ of downloadable content – as well as the firm’s famous ‘black card’ placed at the beginning of any downloaded content.
The scheme also requires e-retailers and content-on-demand services to have age-rating (or ‘gate-keeping’) systems in place to check the age of customers online. These retailers will be policed by the BBFC with random 'test purchases'.
The BBFC said the voluntary system had already been agreed to by movie studios Walt Disney, Warner Bros and 20th Century Fox – and that it had already rated 700 of the trilogy’s films.
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The BBFC’s head of policy Pete Johnson said that all major e-retailers were “close to signing on the dotted line”, and that the body expected to make “announcements of major e-tailers and games content providers signing up in the next few weeks”.
The body said the scheme would cover all formats that offered downloadable entertainment content – including games consoles, set top boxes, websites and mobile phones. The system will not affect games hosted online – including World Of Warcraft and other MMORPGS.
Comments
hmm
Its important to have bodies like this to put in place standards but will it really matter. If a kid wants a game off the net they will always have to use their parents card, and even if they were to steal/borrow the card it still shows up on the parents bill.
So the system of buying games online already makes parents more aware of the games their kids buy. Unless there is a way to cirumvent this which I haven't thought of?
Re: hmm
A step too far, methinks.
The internet used to be where indie/niche creators could go and get their ideas out there despite not being able to afford the BBFC's tax on creativity, as well, of course, as not having their work cut to ribbons. Now it's just another part of the nanny state.
Also, does anyone want to hazard a guess as to how long this will remain "voluntary"?
It's time to cut the apron strings, people, and take responsibility for your own actions, and not expect the retailers to step in and do your job for you.
Re: hmm
Ouch, I wasn't even thinking about indie developers so now I'm worried. How exactly are they going to class this, because if i make a game tomorrow and sell it to people who want to download it ... could i one day be breaking the law because it hasn't been rated?
That would suck hard!
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MCV is the leading trade news and community site for all professionals working within the UK and international video games market. It reaches everyone from store manager to CEO, covering the entire industry. MCV is published by Intent Media, which specialises in entertainment, leisure and technology markets