BBFC: Congrats to PEGI, but we’re still better; industry reacts to verdict
Following the government decision to uphold PEGI as the sole and official ratings board in UK, the BBFC has sent their well-wishes, albeit still with that restrained barb. BBFC Director David Cooke insisted that the BBFC would have been the better choice. Meanwhile, top industry heads are giving their praises for the government’s pick. Read all about it after the jump.
Following the government decision to uphold PEGI as the sole and official ratings board in UK, the BBFC has sent their well-wishes, albeit still with that restrained barb.
BBFC Director David Cooke insisted that the BBFC would have been the better choice:
The BBFC has always supported PEGI and wished it well, but it continues to believe that it satisfies these requirements better than PEGI. However, it will cooperate fully in the detailed work needed to give effect to the government’s decision. And it must be independent in substance as well as appearance, reaching its decisions and providing information on the basis of its own detailed assessments.
Meanwhile, top industry heads are giving their praises for the choice. Microsoft UK’s senior regional director Neil Thompson would be one of those who welcomes the verdict. “Microsoft warmly welcomes the government’s announcement that it will introduce a single PEGI classification system for video games in the UK,” he said.
We believe that the most important issue to be considered when addressing age classification is that of child safety. A single PEGI system is by far the best means of promoting child safety; particularly given the fact that PEGI is used for offline and online games in 29 countries across Europe. In a globalised market where children can play video games online across borders, this decision will give parents the clarity and consistency they need in deciding what games are appropriate for their children and in endorsing those decisions – now and in the future.
Nintendo UK’s general manager, David Yarnton, agrees that it’s the right decision. “The PEGI age rating system is right for the protection of children as it is designed specifically for games and interactive content. As a global company we welcome the decision as mature and intelligent as it works across some 30 international territories.”
Other companies who expressed their support for PEGI were Ubisoft UK, Sega Europe and EU UK, Ireland and Nordics.
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