The consultation period for the UK’s Byron Review into age ratings and the effects of videogames on children has now concluded and the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) have presented their report to the UK Government.
Recently some UK game publishers – notably EA – expressed concern that proposed changes to the ratings system that would require the British Board of Film Classification to review all games 12+ and up would cause delays in getting titles into the hands of consumers. BBFC Director David Cooke finds their lack of faith disturbing, and says so in a lengthy statement released today.
“We are disappointed and concerned about attempts by one or two video games publishers to pre-empt, through recent press statements, the forthcoming public consultation on video games classification. Their statements are misleading in several respects:
The BBFC’s current average turnaround time for games classifications is eight calendar days. In terms of international comparisons, this is notably quick. There is no reason why the increased role for the BBFC envisaged by Dr Byron should lead to delays.
Cooke goes on to explain that the BBFC is fast, efficient, and more than capable of dealing with games both online and off in a timely fashion. Hit the jump for the full statement without delay.
The oft-criticised, sensationalised and ostracised Byron Report—that ultimately recommended a sensible video game ratings adjustment to better match the film industry—has been reported to have cost the British government £275,000. Is that a lot of money? Well if 11.33 million games were sold in Britain last year, the means powers that be invested roughly £.02 per unit. Is £.02 worth ensuring that one child is playing one game that their parents permit?
Sony Computer Entertainment UK’s Ray Maguire, amidst a discussion on the Byron Report (chastising it for not keeping up with a growing internet-based industry), made a prediction about the future of games: …ten years from now the ratio of games sales will have gone from 90 per cent in-store to 90 per cent online.
And while that certainly doesn’t sound wrong, I think that I speak for everyone here by saying, we know that we’ll be downloading games in ten years. We’re wondering more about the next five. Sony: Web sales will rule by 2018 [MCVUK]
