Clash on video game ratings

By Jim Reed
Newsbeat technology reporter

A group of MPs wants games like Smack Down vs Raw to get film-style ratings

All new console and computer games aimed at people over 12 years old should be rated in the same way as films and DVDs, according to a report released today by a group of MPs.

If the ideas are accepted, it would be illegal for shops to sell 12 and 15 titles to anyone that looks underage.

But large video game companies including Microsoft and Nintendo are preparing to fight against the plan.

They say the current industry system of self regulation is a better way to protect children as more games move online.

The clash comes as the government launches four months' worth of talks to agree on a new way to classify interactive titles.

Adult game titles

At the moment, all games display an age recommendation awarded by an industry body called PEGI.

Who should decide video games ratings?

Only titles showing sex or extreme violence have to apply for a full 18 certificate in the same way as a film.

MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee want to see that extended to all games aimed at the over 12s.

The BBFC classifications (l) are backed by law, but PEGI (r) isn't

They say that full 12, 15 and 18 certificates awarded by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) are easier to recognise and carry more legal weight.

The Conservative MP John Whittingdale is chairman of the select committee.

He said: "The BBFC system of cinema classification is well known and easily understood particularly by parents and that is a huge advantage.

"It also has statutory force so it is a criminal offence to sell a game to someone who is clearly underage. We think there should be a single system and the BBFC is the one people understand."

But Elspa, which speaks for most of the big game companies, reckons the cinema-style BBFC system is already out of date.

The organisation's managing director, Mike Rawlingson, said: "We are really concerned that putting games into classification by the films' body is not going to protect children.

"All the major consoles now connect to the internet, which means you can pick a game player from anywhere in the world.

"Parents need to know when they see a symbol on the box that it is the same across different countries.

"The PEGI system is applicable in 27 European countries and it gives us the platform to start establishing a worldwide standard for ratings."

Parents' choice

But the PEGI system preferred by Elspa has its critics.

It splits games into its own 3+, 7+, 12+ and 16+ labels but those ratings are not legally binding meaning shops can still sell games to anyone under the recommended age.

GTA IV is one of the violent games already rated by the BBFC

Some parents have told Newsbeat the system of black and white symbols is harder to understand than the traditional BBFC cinema style scheme.

Julia from Southampton said: "When we went into a shop the other day - they let my son buy an adult game even though he is just eight years old.

"They told me it wasn't a problem and I ended up getting it for him. If there was an 18 certificate on it, it would help me. If they had one system, everybody would know where they stand."

The current PEGI system is heavily supported by big game companies like Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Nintendo and Sega.

Some smaller, independent developers are less bothered about the type of classification the government finally decides on.

Free Radical Design in Nottingham is responsible for first-person shooters including Haze and the Timesplitters series.

What the video game industry really needs is consistency Karl Hilton, Free Radical Design

One of the company's founders, Karl Hilton, told Newsbeat: "What the video game industry really needs is consistency.

"People who rate video games need to be aware of the context that the game is made for, not just the worst and best part of the game.

"If young people are playing games they shouldn't be playing it's because they are getting easy access to them.

"You wouldn't sell 18 rated DVDs to a 13 or 14-year-old, but that seems to happen a lot with video games and there's very little developers can do about it at this end of the chain."

The government will spend the next four months speaking to all interested parties before coming to a final decision about the rating system to use.