EA: New rating systems could slow releases
EA believes that the proposed changes made by Dr. Byron could cause delays in UK releases.
At the moment a PEGI rating system is employed for most games in the UK, but only games rated 15 or 18 are passed on to the government-backed BBFC. The BBFC has the authority to ban any games it examines, but is obviously only exposed to a small selection of games. The PEGI system is completely voluntary too, though major chains may refuse to carry games which are unrated.
A report completed by Dr. Tanya Byron recently claims that this system needs to be shaken up and that all games rated 12 or over should be examined by the BBFC. EA however claims that this means the BBFC would be much slower to process games, as more are being rated by them, and that this could slow the flow of releases in the UK market.
Speaking to GI.biz, EA's Keith Ramsdale said that the proposed changes to the existing methods would prove problematic for publishers.
"An extra and unnecessary layer of administration beyond a single system slows the process, and that delay will get passed on to the players themselves," said Ramsdalee - pointing out that the BBFC has only limited resources at it's disposal.
"With all the discussion about the Byron Review, we know what the Government thinks, but someone needs to speak up for British consumers - has anyone asked British consumers what they think?"
Turns out they have, actually. A recent You Gov study revealed that 67 percent of UK adults preferred the idea of a single pan-European rating system, according to Eurogamer.
What would you prefer - better rated games, or earlier games? Let us know in the forums.
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Discuss in the forums ReplyThat said - Australians have it even worse for pointless release date gaps :/
I was keeping quiet about that.. Worried it was just me >.>
seriously, she aint hot... so you need to get out more and try logging of facebook now and again... reality ain't that bad
Hell no. She is mighty fine, as doctors go :P
Makes a very welcome change seeing her lovely visage grace the gaming news posts. Beats that ugly Thompson goit hands down.
It's EVERYONE.
No argument there!
How to make gamers agree with you - use a hot lady!
I think she's very agreeable.
Like EA is actually worried it will slow down their process. They're just saying this now to prime the games journalists for when they blame their already late releases on the ratings system.
the woman in the picture has some huge teeth.... or a crocodile smile....
Huge teeth...
All the better for chewing up all of EA's release date plans.
Lol! +1
Why can't they have a go at dicking all over something else. I could swear that by allowing your children to watch Big Brother you are lowering their IQ.
That's a bit harsh. I think the first 4 words would have done it without then going onto insult people for no good reason.
If a the rating system was implemented properly I don't see any reason why there should be any (substantial) delay, and if there is then it can't be as bad as being an Australian waiting for a game release.
Whats all this mess about the UK rating system about? I thought the UK had a similar rating system to the US. It doesn't matter how perfect the system is though... if it's not enforced stringently enough then there's really nothing that can be done to improve it.
I'm not defending ratings systems as I think at least 33% are wrong. (UT with the exploding head on the back of the cover 16+ in Germany, Quake III 18+... :| )
All I'm trying to say is they can be helpful and as long as parents don't start(/try?) understanding their kids and their kids' entertainment options better we those little signs.
EEEWWW