ELSPA Battle BBFC over Reducing BBFC 15 to BBFC 12
In the long running battle over video game classification, Paul Jackson, director general of the European Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), has slammed the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), claiming it is not fit for purpose when it comes to game classifications.
Hard-talking Jackson made his point very clear indeed at the Labour Party Conference earlier today. He said that his organisation’s scheme is the only ratings classification with the power to prevent publishers from distributing unsuitable content to children.
The ELSPA is a voluntary organisation that is controlled by videogame publishers. The BBFC is the only ratings body with any legal backing, and is also independent of content producers.
Jackson attacked the BBFC to make everyone aware that a single classification organisation – called the Pan European Game Information System (Pegi) – run by the ELSPA, would be the best way of classifying games both in the UK and across Europe.
“The film ratings board continually downgrades games classified 18 by Pegi. They go to BBFC 15 or even BBFC 12,” claimed Jackson. He believes that the UK would be left “out of step” with classifications in the rest of Europe.
Even though the BBFC has already taken steps to handle the increase in online videogame sales, by launching BBFC Online, Jackson told the conference that Pegi would be better for handling such content.
However, this battle has been raging for quite some time now, and does classification make a difference at all, when children ask their parents to buy games that are branded 18+, and they do just to keep the peace? Or is this just another way for Labour to get more support for their flagging leadership?
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