BBFC releases report studying gaming

Author: Joe Martin
Published: 18th April 2007
Comments (10) Stumble
BBFC releases report studying gaming

The BBFC released a report recently studying the attitudes of Britains games communities.

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) has been having a close look at what makes British gamers tick, Gamespot UK reported yesterday.

The 107-page report is based on a series of interviews that the BBFC conducted with a number of focus groups including young and middle-aged gamers, parents, journalists and game developers.

The report tried to take a sensible approach to the subject it seems and has come to some interesting conclusions. In regard to violent video games, the report states that many gamers see violence as a means to overcome obstacles, not as an end in itself and that, since violent encounters in games usually put the player character at risk also, many gamers are more focused on saving themselves than enjoying killing.

The computer game violence section finished with the idea that:

"The requirement to keep interacting with a game in order to make progress makes it harder to become engrossed in than a film, and that seems to serve as a reminder for players not to mistake the game for real life.

The study also discovered that parents who were familiar with computer games or who played them themselves were much less worried about simulated violence.

Outside the topic of violence, the report surprisingly came to the conclusion that there doesn't appear to be much brand loyalty on the market. "Console brands do not appear to be cool in the way that games can be; a console is cool if it is very new on the market, but not because it is a particular brand.

"Despite its having produced some of the most popular of all games, Nintendo is mentioned less often by gamers than PlayStation and Xbox. On prompting it is sometimes regarded as pursuing a different strategy and its consoles are not subject to the same comparisons."

The report also acknowledged the need for ratings on computer games, outlining that parents were often unwilling or unable to play games themselves and thus needed help finding products suitable for their children. However, parents were not absolved completely, as the report states that "when they are interviewed in research many parents seem to agree on the need for a system. In practice, many do not make any effort to enforce it."

If you are a parent concerned about computer games your child may be playing, or have an opinion you'd like to share about the report, then our forums are the place to be heard.
Quote mmorgue 18th April 2007, 17:45
Hmm actually sounds like a, dare i say, somewhat un-biased approach to the research. Could be an interesting precedent for others.
Quote Zurechial 18th April 2007, 17:55
Definitely one of the more sensible reports on the topic by such an organisation as the BBFC.
It's nice to see that not everyone with influence out there is a sensationalist Thompsonite with misplaced agenda.
Quote Jamie 18th April 2007, 17:57
Quote:
"When they are interviewed in research many parents seem to agree on the need for a system. In practice, many do not make any effort to enforce it."

Games already have a ratings system, many parents must be stupid.

What annoys me most is when a game gets slated as being too violent and kids are being led astray. These games usually have rating of 15 or 18 but the media seem to gloss over this totally. :(

I wouldn't let a 12 year old see 'A Clockwork Orange' or 'Fightclub' so why would I them play Grand Theft Auto?
Quote Veles 18th April 2007, 20:07
Quote:
Originally Posted by BBFC
Console brands do not appear to be cool in the way that games can be

lol, obviously the writer of this report doesn't visit any gaming related forum
Quote airchie 19th April 2007, 09:35
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zurechial
It's nice to see that not everyone with influence out there is a sensationalist Thompsonite with misplaced agenda.
QFT!! :)

It hacks me off when parents blame everyone but themselves for their kids playing violent or unsuitable games.
Who bought them the game?
Who gave them the money for it?
who bought the PC/console in the 1st place?
Quote moshpit 19th April 2007, 17:23
My daughter plays the same games I do. In fact, we often play them together. She's tears it up in Oblivion, kicks butt in FEAR, rips up the sand in BF1942 and BF2 as a tank driver (and a damned good one at that), and many other games we play either together or with my supervision. I know many parents don't take the time to spend with their kids on the PC, but my little girls are lucky their dad works in the industry :D
Quote Bluephoenix 19th April 2007, 21:14
I think that the most important bit was where they clearly stated the bit about games mostly being about survival of the player, and not about violence as an end in itself. Games are a challenge, and that is why we play them. the reason an FPS is more popular than an RPG is that it is less calculated, and has more to do with end skill than ability to follow a formula. tactical FPS's are the most popular (Counterstrike, Battlefield series) because they force quick thinking and are never the same twice, so they always present a new challenge.
Quote CardJoe 20th April 2007, 09:10
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluephoenix
I think that the most important bit was where they clearly stated the bit about games mostly being about survival of the player, and not about violence as an end in itself. Games are a challenge, and that is why we play them. the reason an FPS is more popular than an RPG is that it is less calculated, and has more to do with end skill than ability to follow a formula. tactical FPS's are the most popular (Counterstrike, Battlefield series) because they force quick thinking and are never the same twice, so they always present a new challenge.

I'd, as an RPG and Adventure game lover, take issue with that. They may be less about split-second reactions, but they are more protecting the characters you develop and design. I've never known anyone in Counterstrike play the same level over and over again in order to protect a single teammate, whereas I've gone over and over single battles in Baldurs Gate II just to make sure Aerie survives to the next conversation.
Quote Bluephoenix 20th April 2007, 14:43
the survival bit was aimed squarely at RPG's

the quick thinking part was aimed squarely at FPS games

for some games both apply.

hope that clears it up
Quote CardJoe 20th April 2007, 15:25
:)
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