Microsoft: Byron regulations may make games more expensive in UK
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jun 27th 2008 at 9:00AM }
The Byron Review recommends all games that'll receive a 12+ certification need to be evaluated by the British Board of Film Classification; only games flagged to have sex, violence or criminal activity currently receive the review. The industry is fighting the Byron recommendation so it can avoid the extra costs incurred by a BBFC review. Thompson goes on to endorse the publisher-supported PEGI system as a reasonable response to the Byron Review recommendations. Well, we've now heard from two bears, one more complaint and we should unlock the "Goldilocks Achievement."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
uh-oh polio @ Jun 27th 2008 9:15AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hnylJ2scVU&NR=1
Dark Archon @ Jun 27th 2008 9:18AM
Whaaaaa? The games are already two times more expenisve then they are in the US... Guys... that's enough, really...
PeacefulOutrage @ Jun 27th 2008 1:00PM
Yes, getting games to go through another ratings board will take more time and more money. This may not be too expensive to larger developers, but imagine small developers getting games through multiple boards, each costing tens of thousands of dollars.
This whole thing is asinine. Each of the new consoles have age restrictions built into the system. The final say for who plays what should be up to the adults who play the games and the adults who are the guardians of the children, and not the government who couldn't care less about the children, but only make a stink to draw attention away from the job that they aren't doing in the first place.
the best solution would be for the BBFC and PEGI to work out some common guidelines for content descriptors and ratings so the parents, not the government would have a better idea of what to let their children play.
ALH @ Jun 27th 2008 9:30AM
as if games werent already more expensive in the UK, goddamn.
arjun @ Jun 27th 2008 9:31AM
This is so stupid. All thats going to happen is that more people will buy games on import and less people will actually buy stuff in store. I really wish they would stop attacking gaming and start actually trying to improve things like the NHS!
animeman_59 @ Jun 27th 2008 9:41AM
Welcome to England: The Nanny State
Lord Bowser @ Jun 28th 2008 6:06AM
Lol. Every negative article on England you come out with that nugget. Makes you feel good: the repetition.
Corbo @ Jun 27th 2008 9:45AM
There's only one thing worse than a stupid government policy and that's a stupid government policy that you have to pay extra to implement. Actually, that describes most government policies.
I generally haven't cared much about the BBFC and PEGI ratings systems but if the BBFC one is going to cost even more and create more delays, I say go with PEGI.
mattclarkie @ Jun 27th 2008 9:59AM
More expensive. They are already upwards of $90 in many highstreet shops, and if you are lucky you can get new releases for between $70 and $80 online.
This sounds like an excuse by MS or the games industry to charge us even more.
mattclarkie @ Jun 27th 2008 10:02AM
Now I have waited ages for the post to appear, so if this is a double post I will be really pissed.
More expensive. They are already upwards of $90(£45) in many highstreet shops, and if you are lucky you can get new releases for between $70(£35) and $80(£40) online.
This sounds like an excuse by MS or the games industry to charge us even more.
Vcize @ Jun 27th 2008 10:58AM
ruh roh
rickytickytavy @ Jun 27th 2008 10:30AM
WHAT DID SAY!!!! ALL YOU NAH-SAYERS.
THE USA IS GONNA THIS SHIT TOO!
Professor Lario @ Jun 27th 2008 10:40AM
Government interference FTL!
Alex @ Jun 27th 2008 11:04AM
I hate this country.
There are restictions on EVERYTHING.
t_m @ Jun 27th 2008 11:36AM
The BBFC system is much more well known in the UK than the confusing PEGI system... and as far as i know its worked well in every case (except maybe Manhunt2, but i agreed with them on that too).
We had no problems with GTA3 or Oblivion in the UK because they were already rated with sensible age ratings, which weren't affected by the new content.
Keep the current system, its been working fine.
A Pissed-off English Gamer @ Jun 27th 2008 11:59AM
I won't accept that this is a reason for prices to be increased. Companies must already make a killing in the UK with their game prices; if they raise them any more i think they'll find a sharp decline in sales.
WorMzy @ Jun 28th 2008 2:26PM
The thing is, they won't. Oh sure, we'll complain about it and kick up a fuss, but we won't actually _do_ anything about it. As usual, us good natured English folk will bend over and take it up the ass.
It's why I'm moving to Canada.
real @ Jun 27th 2008 3:39PM
Well,these is the world we live,sadly.
Full of fake and useles things made by a controling goverment promoted by selfish politicians that just wana fool people to get more power,where the real issues are ignored ,we are not slaves of a man but we cant really choose what to do ,we are slaves of a system.