Games Rating Discussion Continues

Chris Kruger

With Manhunt 2 receiving an 18 certificate there has been further talk about the future of Games Rating systems in Europe.

After a nine month legal wrangle between Rockstar and British Board of Film Classification, the board was finally forced to give the game a rating.

The situation raises some questions about the role and the running of Games Rating bodies. There has been some talks, within the UK, of giving a Parliametary committe power to review the guidelines that BBFC applies.

The story in the rest of Europe is a little more nebulous. For the most part Europe relies on ratings provided by PEGI. PEGI is notable in that it is a game industry run body. Entering into review for rating with PEGI is voluntary. To provide polictical credability to PEGI the industry is careful for publishers to use and respect the PEGI rating system. PEGI and the BBFC are completely independent of each other, but in general they do agree for the most part on the ratings that games receive.

European countries sometimes step in after the PEGI rating procedure to apply their own laws and or guidelines. The classic example in Europe being Germany, where the government is typically keen to prevent products with excessive gore and violence, or containing Nazi symbology, from reaching the market.

Detractors of PEGI insist that such bodies need to be completely independent in order to assure they are above influence from parties with potential interest conflicts.

Soon to be published within the UK are the results of the Byron report. Dr Tanya Byron was selected to advise the British Government on it's policy towards interactive media and video game. Many commentators are awaiting the results of this reports before continuing debate on the topic of rating video games.