BYRON REVIEW: PEGI will still rate 50% of games releases

Tanya Byron has revealed her grand plan for UK video game classification – and PEGI will still have a very significant role to play.

Speaking at a conference to selected press this morning, Byron described her vision: a system in which all games are rated by the BBFC, with a rating on the front of the box, but in which PEGI stills provide information for games aimed at children – which will appear on the back of the packaging.

The recommendation is in addition to Byron’s call for a change in the law, which will see the BBFC’s ‘12′ certificate become a statutory rating in games, alongside ’15’ and ’18’.

"The European system [PEGI] works for industry and the BBFC works for children and parents, because of the branding and the ‘understandability’ – and my remit was around children and parents,” she said.”

And Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Andy Burnham added his support to the BBFC. He said:

"The BBFC I would say has done exactly that in films, people are very clear there, and are used to the classification of films. [Dr. Byron’s report] is about bringing some of that clarity to the games industry."

PIC: Dr. Tanya Byron and Secretary of State for the Department for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls at this morning’s conference in Piccadilly Circus, London