According to the national United Kingdom newspaper, The Guardian, videogames in the UK are being targeted to go under some extreme magnification, including a possible ratings system similar to that of the film industry.
The issue is apparently being taken very seriously, as it has been suggested that parents should keep videogames out of the bedrooms of young children. Ministers are dishing out the idea to parents to only place videogame consoles in the kitchen or living, areas where they are easily able to view the content of the titles their children are playing.
Furthermore, Ministers are proposing the idea to Internet service providers in order to have blocks for unsuitable games, emails, and websites. If that happens, then that pretty much accounts for every single major videogame website such as PSU, IGN, and Gamespot.
With the proposed cinema styled ratings system, videogames in the UK would be rated the same way movies would be, which under the BBFC, would including ratings such as the following:
– U (Universal)
-PG (Parental Guidance)
-12 (Not permitted for anyone under the age of 12)
-15 (Not permitted for anyone under the age of 15)
-18 (Not permitted for anyone under the age of 18 )
If this goes into place, tighter restrictions will be made at retailers to make sure that the wrong content is not being bought by someone who is unable to purchase such items. Who knows if this is good for the industry or not, but currently the ESRB is the more suitable ratings system for videogames so there really is no reason to seek change.
Source: CVG