EA Warns New UK Ratings System Could Delay Releases

EA UK boss Keith Ramsdale has warned gamers that changes to the rating system proposed by the government could result in delays on video game releases. Under the proposal games targeted at the 12+ crowd by PEGI would have to be submitted to the British Board of Film Classification for certification. At this time, only games rated 15 or 18 by PEGI require BBFC certification.

Speaking exclusively to factmongers Gamesindustry.biz, Ramsdale said, “The Government’s proposed changes to the existing age rating systems will create further delays in getting hit games to the UK.

“An extra and unnecessary layer of administration beyond a single system slows the process, and that delay will get passed on to the players themselves.”

“Every time you add a new standard, game developers have to guess what the censors are looking for,” Ramsdale said. “If there’s more than one standard in the UK, and across Europe, that can only equal delays in getting games to market and into the hands of British players.”

Ramsdale is concerned that the extra work load on the BBFC, which has limited resources, could hold up all the titles it has to certify. He’s called for the government to poll UK gamers to find out what they want done. Eurogamer is a bit cynical about the whole polling process.

A recent You Gov study showed 67 per cent of UK adults polled preferred the idea of a single, pan-European ratings system. Meanwhile, 38 per cent said they preferred Hob Nobs to Jaffa Cakes, and 17 per cent said they would be willing to try it but only with a long-term partner they felt relaxed and comfortable with.

via Eurogamer