The success of the industry-backed ESRB system in the US has proved that PEGI age ratings are the best way forward for the UK.

That was the message from Entertainment Software Association boss Michael Gallagher at E3 last week as he put his weight behind the industry-backed age ratings system.

As part of his keynote speech, Gallagher was critical of the Byron Report’s highly controversial backing of the BBFC system – and made it clear that the Entertainment Software Association believes it was the wrong way to go.

Speaking in regards to the PEGI or BBFC debate, he said: “The success of the ESRB rating system only goes to prove that industry self-regulation is the best way forward.”

He also added that the games industry still has a long way to go before it can banish the negative associations that have dogged the trade in the past. “Everything from violence to obesity has been laid at our feet,” continued Gallagher.

“We are starting to gain some respect from certain areas, but we must keep working to change those perceptions.”