"We appreciate comments from government about its support and the work being done for the UK videogames industry,” said ELSPA director general Paul Jackson (pictured), responding to a statement of support for the sector made by the government earlier this week.
“Of immediate concern is the issue of age ratings where it is crucial that following the public consultation on games age ratings, the UK adopts the Pan European PEGI system for games sold in store and online,” Jackson continued.
"The facts are that any other conclusion from this process, including the proposed expansion of the remit of the film ratings body, the BBFC, will result in a significant and prohibitive logistical and financial burden on the games industry. This will lead to increased costs of bringing games to market and could also significantly de-stabilise the UK's influence and position within the European games industry. More importantly, it will have failed in its main objective - protecting children."
In late-March the government-commissioned Byron Review recommended that the British Board of Film Classification be charged with rating all games from 12+ upwards, with equivalent PEGI ratings appearing on the back of retail boxes. As it currently stands, most videogames are exempt from BBFC classification unless they depict gross violence or sexual activity. Games that retain their exemption are classified by PEGI, a system Jackson has backed on a number of previous occasions.
In April Jackson expressed his desire to see PEGI embraced as the sole classification system for games in the UK, noting that, “as an instrument of the Video Recordings Act it would have teeth and deliver the right system to help the public make informed choices about the games they play.”
For its part, the BBFC has said that it is “ready and able” to take on the extra work outlined in the Byron Review.