BBFC ratings will fail to protect children, says ELSPA

ELSPA's director general, Paul Jackson, has reiterated his stance that the PEGI ratings system is best for the industry, and the proposal that the BBFC should rate games in the UK will place too much of a burden on the trade and fail consumers.

Jackson was commenting on the government's pledge to review evidence on tax breaks, saying ELSPA looks forward to working with the Government to “make good” its commitment.

But he also used the statement to air his views on the PEGI versus BBFC debate, following Tanya Byron's report which suggested the movie ratings body should continue to review games before release.

"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.

"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," he added.