ELSPA to BBFC: get a hint, stick to movies; leave games to PEGI
And the war against BBFC wages on. Are they really fit to rate video games, considering their system is built on movie ratings? ELSPA boss Paul Jackson spells things out for everyone: he says the BBFC isn’t fit to rate video games anymore, and that PEGI would do a better job at it.
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has been under fire for quite some time now, with lots of critics saying that they couldn’t be trusted in rating video games. Some lobbyists have asked the BBFC to revamp their rating system, while others told them to just leave the video game industry altogether.
Looks like they can’t get a hint.
Here comes the boss of ELSPA (Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association) to spell things out for everyone. Reiterating what ELSPA said back in April, ELSPA director general Paul Jackson basically wants to leave video game ratings up to PEGI (Pan European Game Information) rather than the BBFC.
Speaking at a conference, Jackson elaborates:
A linear ratings system like the one the BBFC uses is designed for films with a beginning, middle and end where the outcome is always the same. It just canÂ’t cope with the infinite variety and complexity of modern videogames, and the interaction between players.
There is a simple proof of this already available. The film ratings board continually downgrades games classified 18 by PEGI. They go to BBFC 15 or even BBFC 12. History shows us that BBFC ratings – and the UK – would regularly be out of step with our European neighbors.
As well as being quick and simple to follow as a ratings system, it is very easily scalable to cope with the rapid growth in online games and add-ons.
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