The BBFC/PEGI war continues as the British Board of Film Classification's David Cooke sows mistrust in the Pan-European Game Information board. Cooke asserts that nobody is actually sure who PEGI is, and claims that games are rated simply by "a couple of blokes."
"The trouble is that it is not clear who PEGI is," Cooke told The Times. "Administration is handled by the Dutch film regulator, who subcontracts to a couple of blokes [the Video Standards Council] in Borehamwood."
Cooke also said that having a single unified ratings system for the entire European Union doesn't reflect the cultural needs of each country within it.
"Look at what happens in film - there are different cultural sensitivities in each country. The French give Tarantino films 12 certificates; I'd be out of a job tomorrow if I did that. But the point is that there is no reason why those cultural differences go to sleep when it comes to games."
A fair point indeed. Personally, I'm now sitting on the fence as far as the BBFC/PEGI debate goes, as it really seems to put us between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, the BBFC cracks under political pressure, but on the other, PEGI would give companies like Microsoft and EA even more power over the industry. It's hard to root for a winner, really.
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.
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Contest:
8:50 AM on 07.06.2008
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I'm starting to side more with the BBFC because if they are in charge at least it's harder for stupid parents to plead ignorance when they buy their kids manhunt 2 (whenever it comes out?) and the cultural differences is a major point especially when you look at films. Although the BBFC is unfair towards the games industry at the moment, let's not forget that they were towards films as well at one point so hopefully with time they will prove to be just as fair to games... well we can hope right?
The PEGI IS the BBFC only with goatees!
We don't mind boobs much though. ^^
PEGI- Because I want all of my game at a price that's decent.
I couldn't think of a more correct statement.
I just watched the wimbledon final and "players must wear white", "no night game, only with daylight"... come on! And the queen wasnt even there.
Is the queen going to play those games? Then who cares.
In the end i say get rid of it compeltely. It really has no point other than guidance. Its not fricking beer for gods sake.
I learned how to administer an adrenaline shot on Firefly. Pulp Fiction not needed.
Yes. PEGI never actually change anything, they just rate it.