So apparently the UK will soon be changing how it rates videogames. Instead of the British Board of Film Classification providing ratings and videogames will be rated by the Video Standards Council using EU guidelines PEGI. This is supposed to bring more clarity and provide greater help for parents. Though also under this change means that anyone selling a game to a someone under-aged could result in a jail sentence. So what do we think of this? I personally have no problem making things easier for parents to make informed decisions about the games their children play if it stops them complaining about violence in games, however I feel that sending people to jail is excessive. I mean providing minors with cigarettes or alcohol results in a fine which is probably alot worst than letting a child play gta.
Daystar Clarion: It was already illegal to sell games to underage kids anyway, although I don't think there was ever a threat of jail time...
So, the individual who sells the game is liable, rather than the company?
Hmmm, should motivate people to age check more often :D
I don't think you could be sent to jail previously, maybe a fine if you where caught. Although I think you may be right that it will make retailers take more care checking ages unless they want half their staff in jail.
senordesol: Would someone go to jail for selling an R rated movie(or whatever equivalent exists) in the UK?
Because if not, that smacks of hypocrisy
It does seem like a hypocrisy as the article does not mention this affecting any other media forms. Plus as I said in my op you could provide children with alcohol and just up to £500.
It does seem like a hypocrisy as the article does not mention this affecting any other media forms. Plus as I said in my op you could provide children with alcohol and just up to £500.
If it's the parents there is no punishment at all after around age 6 or so.
Good thing they're getting on board the PEGI-train, at least. That system is clear, simple and leaves stupid parents with no excuses. It specifies an age, and points out what the "nasties" in question is, like horror, sexual content, drugs, violence and so on.
Muspelheim: Good thing they're getting on board the PEGI-train, at least. That system is clear, simple and leaves stupid parents with no excuses. It specifies an age, and points out what the "nasties" in question is, like horror, sexual content, drugs, violence and so on.
Yeah, but the BBFC is a more familiar format to a lot of parents, what with it being on films and all.
They pay attention to it a lot more, than the PEGI one.
Giving underage minors can not result in jail time for the UK? Holy shit some place in the US it is illegal to give you own kid booze at you own home and can result in the parent being jailed. Granted it is not that way in most state but most people here never even look up the law and assume it is.
Anyway i have to agree that jail time is excessive though i do like the idea of a fine.
well that's good they trying to get parents involved with the rating systems but jail time is too much. They tried the same thing here in America........well you could lose your job but not jail time I think
It doesn't matter how they rate games, if junior wants Call of Duty 11 he's getting it. There are way too many underage gamers playing 18 rated games, I'm not talking 14 & 15 9 year olds are playing CoD these days. I don't think the new rating system will make a difference. I wish I were allowed to play 18 rated games at that age, my mum just lectured me about how S.T.A.L.K.E.R being set in Chernobyl was wrong and I'm 16. "Games shouldn't need to use real places as a setting" she's convinced that setting the game around Chernobyl is some kind of marketing ploy so that the game gets more attention, why must people frown upon things they have no clue about.
I don't mind as long as the change leads to more accurate ratings as opposed to more censorship. The BBFC had a habit of giving 15 ratings to games that were rated higher in other regions and IMO: had no business being at that age rating.
This whole rating thing is getting a bit bloody ridiculous, my housemate's friend at uni who is 19 recently got asked for ID and refused the sale of a movie. Which was a PG.
I doubt it'll even make much difference, as parents will continue to buy games for kids, and that's where education needs to be focussed.
Its not the people selling the games that are the problem its the parents buying them for kids.
I had to bite my tounge in tescos the other day when some little shitling runs up to his mum begging her to buy him grand theft auto. shes looking at it in her hand and says thats fine its half price... DID YOU EVEN READ THE BACK OR SEE THE MASSIVE 18 ON THE FRONT.
Muspelheim: Good thing they're getting on board the PEGI-train, at least. That system is clear, simple and leaves stupid parents with no excuses. It specifies an age, and points out what the "nasties" in question is, like horror, sexual content, drugs, violence and so on.
Yeah, but the BBFC is a more familiar format to a lot of parents, what with it being on films and all.
They pay attention to it a lot more, than the PEGI one.
then it just needs an awareness campaign. Its much more useful as a tool for deciding what people should and shouldn't be allowed then the old system.
And to everyone who's shocked that it has legal repercussions, its always had them, its just different ones now.
Rastien: Its not the people selling the games that are the problem its the parents buying them for kids.
I had to bite my tounge in tescos the other day when some little shitling runs up to his mum begging her to buy him grand theft auto. shes looking at it in her hand and says thats fine its half price... DID YOU EVEN READ THE BACK OR SEE THE MASSIVE 18 ON THE FRONT.
God...
Parents are responsible for their children, and in the UK/Europe this is taken far more seriously than the US, for example.
Parents can allow their kids to drink, why shouldn't they be able to allow them to play mature rated video games?
I work in HMV and I hate IDing people for films and games, but obviously I have to because I could get a massive fine (something like £2000), a jail sentence or criminal record. It's utterly ridiculous. I mean, everyone watches and plays things 'underage'. I think that games and films should have recommended certificates on, in the same manner that they do now, but it isn't mandatory to follow them. I really don't see what the big deal is. I know that it affects people in different ways, and some people are influenced by the games they play and films they watch...but, think about it, just not being able to buy it in a store isn't going to stop them! It is a difficult subject, yes, but I do think that the laws are a bit extreme.
So... the rating will change from red to grey? Literally, I can't see how this changes much. Both ratings have been on games for years, and if a parent doesn't notice the blatant red circle with a number in I can't see how a grey box with a number in will do much better.
Honestly I consider this a waste of time and don't know how it will change anything. Also, for some reason I have nostalgia for the red circles :3
senordesol: Would someone go to jail for selling an R rated movie(or whatever equivalent exists) in the UK?
Because if not, that smacks of hypocrisy
Yes they can. This pretty much brings Games to the same area as film in this regard which I think is fair enough (if a little heavy handed regarding punishment.)
I don't think this will change anything at all as parents will still ignore them and buy the games for their children. Also a gaol sentence is way too much.
Muspelheim: Good thing they're getting on board the PEGI-train, at least. That system is clear, simple and leaves stupid parents with no excuses. It specifies an age, and points out what the "nasties" in question is, like horror, sexual content, drugs, violence and so on.
The BBFC does this as well, actually. This change seems ridiculously pointless to me.
So having U, PG, 12, 15 and 18 too hard to follow?
U= Everybody PG= Parental Guidence 12= Bought by no one under 12 15= Bought by no one under 15 18= Bought by no one under 18
Five ratings of which one doesn't really matter, three have numbers telling you what age the consumer should be and one which only requires a little further explaination. As far as I rmember PG products can be bought by anyone but if you are under 12 you need to be accompanied by an adult.
No one is going to do jail even if they are caught this won't change a damn thing.
EDIT: Oh an proxy sales arn't illegal in the UK, except when its alcohol. So even if the shops tighten up kids are just going to get their older sibling or parent to buy the game.
Rastien: Its not the people selling the games that are the problem its the parents buying them for kids.
I had to bite my tounge in tescos the other day when some little shitling runs up to his mum begging her to buy him grand theft auto. shes looking at it in her hand and says thats fine its half price... DID YOU EVEN READ THE BACK OR SEE THE MASSIVE 18 ON THE FRONT.
God...
Parents are responsible for their children, and in the UK/Europe this is taken far more seriously than the US, for example.
Parents can allow their kids to drink, why shouldn't they be able to allow them to play mature rated video games?
The issue arrises when the parents then kick back and blame the stores for not making them aware that the game is violent.
A friend used to work in a local GAME (the franchise) store before he lost his job to them going bust. Similar situation mother bought her son grand theft auto even after asking if its for the child and her saying no. 3 Days later she came back and called his manager saying he didn't adequetly warn her that it was so disgusting. After watching her son run around with a giant dildo killing people with it.
The manager luckily was a saint and took his side and refunded her pointing out age ratings are there for a reason.
If the parents feel their child is mature enough for the content sure let them play it, don't then turn around and blame the stores which happens alot.
Rastien: Its not the people selling the games that are the problem its the parents buying them for kids.
I had to bite my tounge in tescos the other day when some little shitling runs up to his mum begging her to buy him grand theft auto. shes looking at it in her hand and says thats fine its half price... DID YOU EVEN READ THE BACK OR SEE THE MASSIVE 18 ON THE FRONT.
God...
Parents are responsible for their children, and in the UK/Europe this is taken far more seriously than the US, for example.
Parents can allow their kids to drink, why shouldn't they be able to allow them to play mature rated video games?
The issue arrises when the parents then kick back and blame the stores for not making them aware that the game is violent.
A friend used to work in a local GAME (the franchise) store before he lost his job to them going bust. Similar situation mother bought her son grand theft auto even after asking if its for the child and her saying no. 3 Days later she came back and called his manager saying he didn't adequetly warn her that it was so disgusting. After watching her son run around with a giant dildo killing people with it.
The manager luckily was a saint and took his side and refunded her pointing out age ratings are there for a reason.
If the parents feel their child is mature enough for the content sure let them play it, don't then turn around and blame the stores which happens alot.
The response to parents who don't read the ratings or know the content needs and should be only one thing.
Tough luck.
Personal responsibility, 100%, all the time, no exceptions.
Parents are responsible for their children, and in the UK/Europe this is taken far more seriously than the US, for example.
Parents can allow their kids to drink, why shouldn't they be able to allow them to play mature rated video games?
The issue arrises when the parents then kick back and blame the stores for not making them aware that the game is violent.
A friend used to work in a local GAME (the franchise) store before he lost his job to them going bust. Similar situation mother bought her son grand theft auto even after asking if its for the child and her saying no. 3 Days later she came back and called his manager saying he didn't adequetly warn her that it was so disgusting. After watching her son run around with a giant dildo killing people with it.
The manager luckily was a saint and took his side and refunded her pointing out age ratings are there for a reason.
If the parents feel their child is mature enough for the content sure let them play it, don't then turn around and blame the stores which happens alot.
The response to parents who don't read the ratings or know the content needs and should be only one thing.
Tough luck.
Personal responsibility, 100%, all the time, no exceptions.
I fully agree with you, unfotuntley my experience whilst working in the school system for 2 years is alot (not all) parents these days will constantly look for something/someone else to blame rather than take responsibilitys for their poor judgment or actions on their childs behalf.
The issue arrises when the parents then kick back and blame the stores for not making them aware that the game is violent.
A friend used to work in a local GAME (the franchise) store before he lost his job to them going bust. Similar situation mother bought her son grand theft auto even after asking if its for the child and her saying no. 3 Days later she came back and called his manager saying he didn't adequetly warn her that it was so disgusting. After watching her son run around with a giant dildo killing people with it.
The manager luckily was a saint and took his side and refunded her pointing out age ratings are there for a reason.
If the parents feel their child is mature enough for the content sure let them play it, don't then turn around and blame the stores which happens alot.
The response to parents who don't read the ratings or know the content needs and should be only one thing.
Tough luck.
Personal responsibility, 100%, all the time, no exceptions.
I fully agree with you, unfotuntley my experience whilst working in the school system for 2 years is alot (not all) parents these days will constantly look for something/someone else to blame rather than take responsibilitys for their poor judgment or actions on their childs behalf.
Oh, I know that.
They should still be ignored.
You shouldn't make rules based upon a lack of personal responsiblity, this goes for everything, anyone someone willingly does they should be the only and sole person held responsible for it.
In the case of parents, they are responsible for their children until they are.. well, I'd say about 12, by which time every child should be able to function as a human being and be repsonsible for themselves, 100%, since the sole function of raising a child is to raise a functional, responsible, member of society.
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The rating system only changed from PEGI to BBFC a few years ago, thanks to the Byron Review 2008, and wasn't that supposed to be for the better? If so, why are we going to PEGI when we previously rejected it? This is very strange. And I'd have thought the BBFC would have more authority and be more recognisable, considering they're the UK's film rating system as well.
Personally I don't give a s*** who buys the game and the pretences on which they do so. If a kid can play a video game regularly without anyone in the house knowing, they deserve whatver violence they can see.
Eh, it will never work unfortunately. What they should really focus on is stopping companies from advertising to underage children, see: Dead Space 2 (Your mum would hate this).
EDIT: It would also be nice if politicians stopped blaming games and started blaming (and educating) parents.
5-0: The rating system only changed from PEGI to BBFC a few years ago, thanks to the Byron Review 2008, and wasn't that supposed to be for the better? If so, why are we going to PEGI when we previously rejected it? This is very strange. And I'd have thought the BBFC would have more authority and be more recognisable, considering they're the UK's film rating system as well.
The PEGI is an industry standard and is better qualified to be the organisation doing the rating, the bbfc have had to try and make film rules apply to games, which obviously isn't the best way.
And it brings us in line with most of europe. The PEGI being universally accepted is a good thing to aim for.
I just saw this article on the BBC website.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18017385
So apparently the UK will soon be changing how it rates videogames. Instead of the British Board of Film Classification providing ratings and videogames will be rated by the Video Standards Council using EU guidelines PEGI. This is supposed to bring more clarity and provide greater help for parents. Though also under this change means that anyone selling a game to a someone under-aged could result in a jail sentence. So what do we think of this? I personally have no problem making things easier for parents to make informed decisions about the games their children play if it stops them complaining about violence in games, however I feel that sending people to jail is excessive. I mean providing minors with cigarettes or alcohol results in a fine which is probably alot worst than letting a child play gta.