The European Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) has hit out at the Byron Review’s recommendations for overhauling the current games rating system, with concerns that the BBFC is unprepared to handle the massive increase in workload involved in assessing and rating all games that require a 12, 15 or 18 age rating.

The industry needs to be “re-assured that the BBFC would be capable of delivering against any new remit, or whether PEGI may be more appropriate," said ELSPA director general Paul Jackson in a statemen.

Jackson continues: “We are concerned that the proposals as they stand may struggle to keep up with the public’s increasing desire to buy and play on-line.”

TIGA backs ELSPA

TechRadar spoke with Richard Wilson, chief exec at TIGA – the industry body for games developers – who backed ELSPA’s stance, telling us:

“As for PEGI and the BBFC, the development sector will have to look at the consultation document that the government will now have to bring out.

Wilson added: “As far as the BBFC goes, I have some sympathy with ELSPA as their [BBFC's] workload could be increased sixfold… the government must ensure that the BBFC is properly funded.”

BBFC pleased

David Cooke, Director of the BBFC, said in a statement: “I warmly welcome Dr Byron’s report.  She has listened very carefully to all the arguments, and exercised her independent and expert judgement.

“It is clear from Dr Byron’s report that games classification is less well understood that that for films and DVDs.  We all need to work hard to bring understanding up to the same level, and help parents and children make informed choices.  Games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas are for adults, and should be treated in the same way as ‘18’ rated films and DVDs.    

“I welcome the film-style classification system and greater role for the BBFC which she recommends in paragraph 7.47 of her report,” adds Cooke.  

Holds power to ban

“At the BBFC we provide symbols which are trusted and understood; thorough,  independent examination by skilled games players; individually tailored health warnings, and also the full reasoning for the classification covering all the key issues; a cutting edge approach to online film and games content, including independent monitoring.