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BBFC critcizes sex and swearing in videogames, uses unbelievable logic photo

The British Board of Film Classification, that smug and faceless organization that controls Britain's media viewing and is still fighting for sole rights to rate videogames, has warned Sky News that sexual content in videogames is on the rise.

"On the whole, sexual activity in games is nowhere near as common as violence, but it is becoming more common," said board member Sue Clark. This follows research which states that 74% of British parents want an independent review board to rate games, while 79% of them believe games can affect the minds of children. 

Clark also raised the issue of swearing as a concern, using one of the most amazingly backward pieces of logic I've ever read: "If you've got a film with one (swear word) in it, you'll hear that word once, but in a game you can go back and play that bit again and again."

Yes, you read that correctly. In videogames, you can go and replay sections with swearing, but in movies, you can't! Apparently, Ms. Clark has never heard of the "rewind" function, and DVD scene selection is a completely alien concept to her. I am actually astounded that she tried to use that logic in an argument to suggest videogame swearing is worse than movies. 

If Ms. Clark doesn't even understand how DVDs work, I've got to wonder if she's in the right line of business.








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Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize. Likes PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3 Meet the rest of the team



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35 comments | showing # 1 to 35
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Half left's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 13:01
Half left
DVD R CONFUSING! U ARE NASTY MAN!
midnightskulker's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 13:03
midnightskulker
It's time for her to make use of that good ol' DVD Rewinder machine!
robwho2's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 13:04
robwho2
Her stupidity is amusing. Though not surprising from the BBFC.
Vedicardi2's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 13:07
Vedicardi2
LOL as if you can't re watch a movie. Amazing.

As if cuss words will do anything at all in the first place.
psycho terror2's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 13:07
psycho terror2
i can't believe dtoid just let me post a blank comment... probably needs fixing.

to be honest, game ratings don't really bother me as i am over 18 and have no children. i don't want a moron like that censoring what i watch though.

i hope i can contact Ms. Clark directly to let her know that i think she's a moron.
CactarCrush's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 13:10
CactarCrush
Perhaps this woman a-scorned is disappointed that sex in real life can't normally be replayed like swearing in a movie.
Kira Plaga's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 13:11
Kira Plaga
That is one of the stupidest things I've ever read. And i'm not even a little suprised.
Sad indeed :(
Noah's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 13:20
Noah
Off the topic.... there has been A LOT of sleezy header images lately... anyone else feeling less comfortable browsing Dtoid whenever your wife enters the room? :)
Pacopaco's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 13:23
Pacopaco
@Noah

What's a wife?
falinter's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 13:34
falinter
I'm glad people are making stupid comments like this. They discredit themselves for us.

Makes Jim's job easier, thats for sure.
EternalDeathSlayer's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 13:40
EternalDeathSlayer
Jesus, even Jack Thompson was smarter than these people. I feel bad for the Brits. We don't see these things on a daily basis in America. Sure, people are always blaming games for something, but nobody really takes it seriously. It's usually just fodder for a politician to use to get re-elected or something.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 13:47
Holyetheline
Dumb people are dumb... Sucks but true.
GamingGoddess's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 13:56
GamingGoddess
I'm starting to feel increasingly sorry for the elite few media analysts who have legitimate, or even quasi-legitimate qualms with video games-- because these sorts of things make it very tempting to dismiss them all as completely ridiculous.
eternalplayer2345's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 14:03
eternalplayer2345
Its even harder to replay that scene in a video game because games are longer than movies on average so...........WTF
UglyDuck's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 14:10
UglyDuck
This is one of those things where no spin is required to make it sound stupid. I don't even need to advocate the other point of view; it's that fucking bad. I mean, she was probably under pressure and said something stupid which I'm sure she'll regret saying, but you can't make what she said sound any less retarded.

Although, I love this statistic:
"82% believe it would help them if video games used the same ratings as films and DVDs."

Just think about it.
Qraze's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 15:00
Qraze
i hate those people and would love rape the orally.
Nogarda's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 15:24
Nogarda
http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?&next_url=/watch%3Fv%3DoFywW99Uvwc old but still highly relevant and well informed if comical.
atastysammich's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 15:29
atastysammich
Swearing? Uh oh, looks like someone just got their hands on Megaman 7.
Joanna Mueller's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 15:58
Joanna Mueller
Maybe she doesn't understand that things have changed since the good ole days of the moving picture show. When the matinee costs 10 cents you bet you're only seeing the movie once. Damn kids with their rock and roll and hula hoops.
Chronic Logic's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 16:00
Chronic Logic
Why do children play fucking video games?! It's because of kids I can't play games in peace.
CelicaCrazed's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 16:20
CelicaCrazed
You know, some days I just want to make all these anti-video games activists dream come true and have everyone become what they think we are. And as civilization teeters on the brink of destruction, in one voice we will scream out, "Pwned!" Yeah, it'd serve no purpose whatsoever but at least we would get one good last laugh in before we all kill ourselves over their stupidity.
Clance's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 16:22
Clance
Love these Dear Deirdre photos, Jim.
Markusdragon's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 16:43
Markusdragon
I think she meant that the swearing audio file can be replayed within the context of the game, so, for example, GTA's pedestrians can insult you with the same bad language over and over again in one playthrough.
grasslunatic's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 16:53
grasslunatic
I can't believe anyone would say anything that stupid.
Gyrael's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 17:08
Gyrael
Hahaha it's just hilarious.
spas's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 17:46
spas
OMG! Swearing and sex I grew up with that stuff in my local post office.
Luke Barnard's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 17:55
Luke Barnard
oh...... god.
psycho terror2's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 19:00
psycho terror2
"I feel bad for the Brits. We don't see these things on a daily basis in America."

apart from the fact that this doesn't happen on a daily basis anywehere, yes you do have idiots like this in america and dtoid frequently features them.
capitan's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 19:15
capitan
games might not have a limit to how many times they can swear in a single playthrough if its something said by random characters but its nothing even close to Jay and Silent Bob. in Jay and Silent Bob strike back, the introduction includes a baby and Jay just saying the F word like 20 or 30 times. if games are bad, movies have it far worse.
Artemus's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/27/2009 20:25
Artemus
Whoa!
Is that Niero?!
Holy shit!
Cahuatijo's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/28/2009 00:00
Cahuatijo
dirty chavs, innit?
SetoChaos's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/28/2009 03:46
SetoChaos
What? Are you serious?! I think this quote deserves something. It's one of the most ridiculous things I've heard!
eggz's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/01/2009 14:56
eggz
lmao is that even a proper sentence
what a (female) dick
anthonyavr's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/13/2010 01:06
anthonyavr
Really that was a stupid comment that she has mad. Now she will say that sex workers like London Escorts or Bedfordshire Escorts should be banned because people can go to them again and again to have sex. Who have made her board member of BBFC.
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