TIGA responds to Byron Review

TIGA has backed the Byron Review's call for the provision of better information about the content of videogames and for parents to take greater responsibility for ensuring that their children do not view inappropriate material.

However, in a press release, TIGA also warned the Government against burdening the games industry with the sole cost of waging an information campaign about the ratings systems for games.

While noting that 59 per cent of the UK population play games, and that the average age of gamers is in the mid-20s, TIGA CEO Richard Wilson agreed that children and young people must be protected from potentially harmful or inappropriate material.

"Since 2006, TIGA has proactively encouraged games developers and the industry as a whole to embrace the voluntary PEGI system and where possible disseminate information about games ratings to help consumers," Wilson said.

"We therefore support the Byron Review's recommendations to give purchasers more information concerning the content of videogames and that parents must take greater responsibility for protecting their children from viewing inappropriate material."

However, Wilson warned against burdening the games industry alone with the cost of executing an information campaign about the ratings system in light of the intense competition that UK developers already face.

"The last thing the games industry needs is for the UK Government to impose additional costs on it," he said.

Wilson also pointed out that requiring classification of games for children aged 12 and older places a considerable burden on the BBFC - one that he hopes will not result in a slow and costly accreditation process.

"The Government will need to ensure that the BBFC is properly resourced if it is to meet its new responsibilities.

"TIGA looks forward to taking part in the consultation process concerning the proposal to establish a hybrid classification system for games."