UK Video Game Censorship To Get Tougher
The UK government believes that violent video games affect young minds negatively, despite there being no definitive proof of this. It’s been this way for decades. Video games were previously rated by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) but that will now change to the Video Standards Council (VSC) in line with Europe-wide guidelines. The Pan European Game Information system (PEGI) also gives games an age rating. The new rules will now rate games according to PEGI’s specifications and will impose stricter punishments on retailers. For example, a retailer cought selling 12-rated game to a child may go to jail.
In the quote below, much is made about the need for “clarity”, as if that’s the only problem with the current system, while imposing stricter rules and harsher penalties. No, what’s needed is an end to this ridiculous knee-jerk reaction of “we do it for the children!” scaremongering. The picture below shows Duke Nukem Forever, a “violent” and “sexist” 18-rated game that’s right in the crosshairs for extra censorship.
Creative Industries Minister Ed Vaizey said: “It will give parents greater confidence that their children can only get suitable games while we are creating a simpler system for industry having their games age-rated.”
While the BBFC will now largely stop assessing content in games, it will still be called upon to judge games with gross violence or sexual material.
Games and entertainment body Ukie said the new system provides “much needed clarity for consumers”.
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