ISFE warns against Byron changes

The Interactive Software Federation of Europe has said that it is unhappy at reports the UK government might consider dropping the PEGI ratings system as a result of the forthcoming Byron Report.

In an interview with MCV, ISFE director general Patrice Chazerand claimed that its ratings system was understood and trusted by parents, according to its own research.

"I would resent the idea of equating games to movies," he said, in reference to apparent government plans to give the BBFC more backing at the expense of the PEGI system.

"It's a step backwards. If we are to see a move to movie-like classification, I would see it as a mistake. But I cannot speak for the UK public - or the government.

"If your Government goes for a national solution over a pan-European one, I would take it as a blow to PEGI and not a reflection of the industry being global," he added.

"It's not fitting to have a national system of game classification if you are current with the internet and if you are supportive of it."

Reports in the mainstream media had suggested that the government was planning a tougher stance on age ratings for games following a long run of negative press over childhood obesity, gaming addiction, and particularly the effects of videogame violence on children.

Dr Tanya Byron, who is due to publish her findings next month, was tasked by the government to look into the violence aspect for both videogames and the Internet.