Games Age Ratings in UK to be taken over by Video Standards Council

The UK government have announced plans to change the age ratings system for games in order to make the process "simpler and stronger." Previously decided upon by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), games will now be rated by the Video Standards Council (VSC) in line with European guidelines. This change is set to be implemented from July this year but will not apply to games bought online.

The Pan European Game Information (Pegi) systems give information regarding violent content and bad language in addition to age ratings for games and the VSC will rate games based on Pegi's specifications. Retailer compliance will be enforced in the new system which means that anyone who sells rated games to underage customers could face jail.

Although the BBFC will no longer be the main entity in assessing content in games, it will still be called upon to judge games with gross violence or sexual content.

A few have commented on the planned changes:

It will give parents greater confidence that their children can only get suitable games while we are creating a simpler system for industry having their games age-rated.
- Ed Vaizey, Creative Industries Minister

We are also in the planning stages of a major awareness campaign to help the public understand the system and other aspects of responsible gaming as soon as Pegi become law in the UK.
- Jo Twist, Ukie Chief Executive

Others have said that the new system provides "much needed clarity for consumers" and is a necessary "evolutionary" step.