That’s the headline of an article published on the Guardian website yesterday. At first I was confused. Aren’t all games already rated? I’m pretty sure my shiny new PS3 game boxes have ratings on the front and back. Clearly this needed some research as I wasn’t up to speed with the gaming rules.

As always Google comes to the rescue. Under the Video Recordings Act of 1984 all films released for sale must be classified by the British Board of Film Classification. Video games are exempt from classification unless they depict some extreme activities, such as criminal behaviour likely to encourage real life crime, and extreme sex and violence. In such cases a game will be rated 15 or 18 just like a film would be, and by law retailers cannot sell the product to underage children, just like with films. Publishers may volunteer their games for classification. Guitar Hero 3 has a BBFC rating of 12. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops + has a BBFC rating of 12. Zoo Hospital has a BBFC rating of U.

So just to reiterate so that we’re all on the same page – Games have been subject to legally enforceable classification by the BBFC since 1985.

Back to the article. Here is the opening paragraph:

A legally enforceable cinema-style classification system is to be introduced for video games in an effort to keep children from playing damaging games unsuitable for their age, the Guardian has learned. Under the proposals, it would be illegal for shops to sell classified games to a child below the recommended age.

Perhaps a similar system to the currently legally enforceable cinema-style classification system? This is what I love about the media. Focus on the scare mongering rather than the facts. Now I’ll be fair, that’s not the main focus of the rest of the article. The point is that games below a 15 don’t have to be classified by the BBFC. Which is true.

But that is where the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) age rating system comes in. Established in 2003 it gives parents a ratings guide to follow for games. The Guardian article would look to belittle the authority of this scheme by describing it as an “entirely voluntary pan-European scheme”. Doesn’t instil much confidence in people following those PEGI ratings does it? But what the Guardian article doesn’t tell you is that the ratings system is supported by the major console manufacturers including Sony (PlayStation), Microsoft (Xbox) and Nintendo (Wii), and is used throughout Europe (with Germany being the major exception). Every single game released by the 3 main manufacturers above, across Europe, adheres to the PEGI ratings. The ratings are printed in big letters on the front and back of all game boxes, and as well as the age rating, you will also find a selection of up to 7 images indicating the content found within that game. Now I’m no parent, but that’s some pretty handy information right there. 16+ PEGI rating and an icon to let me know that there’s sex and violence in this game? Sorry 14 year kid, but I’m not buying that for you. That wasn’t so hard was it?

But again, that’s not the point of the article. It’s all about the legality of it. If it's not legally enforced it can't be trusted! And parents can’t be expected to... well, be parents these days. It’s too complicated! They need the government to do that for them. Here’s an extract from an Out-Law article:

Former Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, says that adult videos and computer games should carry clearer warnings to stop them falling into the hands of children. Miss Hewitt said that Britain already operated the toughest classification system in Europe but some parents might not be aware of the risks of buying "18-plus" games for children...

I’ve marked the important bit in bold.

I imagine that’s just like some parents might not be aware of the risks of buying “18-only” films for children, or some parents might not be aware of the risks of buying “14+” alcohol for children, or some parents might not be aware of the risks of buying “No one+” crack cocaine for their children.

As well as the general hopelessness of parents, this highlights another interesting issue. None of these other topics are getting the negative press that games are. Why is that? Here’s another excerpt from the Guardian article:

Policing such regimes is difficult as it is possible to buy games over the net and simply tick the box stating the purchaser is over 18.

It's true! I’ve never had to tick a box when buying a game online to verify my age. I’ve never had to confirm my age at all. But then it's the same with buying films online. And while most places will want to know your age when buying alcohol it’s not too hard to lie. But still the focus is all on games.

I seem to have got sidetracked a bit. Back to the main point. Once again we’re hearing about how the government is having to step in to do the work of the parents. We have two well respected and well enforced (with legal backing or otherwise) rating systems in this country. Parents and shops are intelligent enough in most cases to be able to follow those ratings. Maybe the media should focus more on why these ratings are not being adhered to, rather than trying to making the gaming world out to be some hell hole of sex and violence obsessed depravity.