Destructoid is gaming news, community, videos, and sometimes love. Take the tour or jump in with Facebook:

 


BBFC: PEGI rating performed by 'a couple of blokes' photo

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.


Continue: More United Kingdom stories





prev next

11 comments | showing # 1 to 11

Anus Mcphanus's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/06/2008 09:01
Anus Mcphanus
He makes some good points.

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?
SnakeDude4Life's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/06/2008 09:03
SnakeDude4Life
The ending?

The PEGI IS the BBFC only with goatees!
ParaParaKing's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/06/2008 09:08
ParaParaKing
Us Germans also have our own ratings, because laws are very strict about violence here.
We don't mind boobs much though. ^^
superhobo's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/06/2008 09:45
superhobo
I dunno, since we started using PEGI here in Ireland, we've had a lot less bother. But then there hasn't really been a major video games controversy here yet, except Manhunt 2 (which our film censors office took the liberty of rating, the only game they have done so for in years)
B-Radicate's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/06/2008 09:48
B-Radicate
Every 12 year old should see Pulp Fiction anyway. Watching and learning how to administer an adrenaline shot to the heart after a friend ODs simply prepares you for middle school. Amiright?
Conan-san's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/06/2008 09:50
Conan-san
I side with the group that isn't going to delay my games and make them cost another £20.

PEGI- Because I want all of my game at a price that's decent.
DaedHead8's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/06/2008 11:07
DaedHead8
@B-Radicate

I couldn't think of a more correct statement.
Velt's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/06/2008 15:24
Velt
Oh stop beign so god damn english!
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.
Murumasa123's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/06/2008 15:43
Murumasa123
I dunno thats such a good arguement. I havn't looked at the cultural sensitivities arguement, but in the end all that matters is if i will get a copy of Manhunt 2 unedited. Would Pegi be any better.
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.
Sharpless's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/06/2008 22:32
Sharpless
@B-Radicate
I learned how to administer an adrenaline shot on Firefly. Pulp Fiction not needed.
superhobo's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/07/2008 05:11
superhobo
"if i will get a copy of Manhunt 2 unedited. Would Pegi be any better. "

Yes. PEGI never actually change anything, they just rate it.
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!

 

   Got news?   tips@destructoid.com   |   Dtoid Twitter

New Videos

more videos


Reviews & Previews
BioShock 2 review
Dante's Inferno review
Chime review
Hustle Kings review
iPhone Review Round-up: January review
more reviews
Dawn of War II Chaos Rising
Metro 2033
A trip to the racetracks Days of Thunder Arcade
Double the pleasure, double the fun with Darwinia+
Wizarding world in plastic Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4
more previews


- The Dtoid Army is 56742 strong -

Showing Cblogs with 3+ faps   show all

Call for entries: the Areas of my Expertise

New to Dtoid? Read the survival guide


 Originals
Jim Sterling: How Aliens are blatantly better than Predators





















More Destructoid Originals




We are Destructoid   tips@destructoid.com
Nick Chester
Editor-in-Chief
Niero
Founder, Big Boss
Jim Sterling
Reviews Editor
Hamza Aziz
Community Manager
Dale North
News Editor
Rey Gutierrez
Destructoid Video EIC
Anthony Burch
Features Editor
Brad Nicholson
Managing Editor
Tom Fronczak Colette Bennett
Ashley Davis Ben Perlee
Conrad
Zimmerman
Chad Concelmo
Jonathan Holmes Jonathan Ross
Brad Rice Jordan Devore
Will Maddock Matthew Razak
Josh Tolentino
Joseph Leray
Topher Cantler Samit Sarkar
     
  Adam Dork
Daniel Lingen
Hollie Bennett
Joe Burling
Mikey Turvey






 
 
  get involved

register or login
post a blog
post a forum
enter a contest
contribute a news tip
suggest a feature
be a guest editor
support

new member's guide
login assistance
tech support
report abuse
email our editors
read our dev blog
nuclear crisis?
keep in touch

RSS feed
Twitter
Facebook
Myspace
Flickr
Game nights
Meetup+play online
seriously

about Destructoid
advertising
terms of use
privacy policy
jobs at MM
buy our crap
our network

Tomopop
Japanator
Despingation?




Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
living the dream since March 16, 2006