UK Video Standards Council Forms Game Classification Panel

The UK's Video Standards Council, which this year will assume responsibility for legally classifying video games under the PEGI system, has created an Expert Advisory Panel to evaluate the criteria under which it could "effectively 'ban' a video game" if it violates regulations. The VSC's greater level of authority over game classification is a result of the Digital Economy Bill, which is currently undergoing readings in Parliament's House of Lords before it is sent to the House of Commons. It comes after the UK government last year decided PEGI, the Pan-European Game Information ratings system, rather than the British Board of Film Classification, would be the sole rubric used to content-rate games. With the combined effect of those developments, the VSC will be charged with rating games under the PEGI guidelines, and will have the power to refuse classification -- effectively keeping the game from being sold by retailers. The new Advisory Panel includes governmental video game report author Tanya Byron, "media violence expert" Guy Cumberbatch, media-focused legal professional Geoffrey Robertson, QC, former Family and Parenting Institute director Mary MacLeod, former Lincolnshire Police chief constable Tony Lake, QPM, and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children's Chris Atkinson. "The newly established VSC Expert Advisory Panel will play a key role," said MP Gillian Shephard, VSC chairperson. "The VSC will have the ability to effectively 'ban' a video game from supply in the UK if it infringes the limits set out in the law. Any such decision will not be taken lightly and will involve a number of legal, clinical and psychological issues." She concluded: "The VSC will now be able to call upon some of the most eminent experts in these fields and ensure that all relevant factors are properly taken into account before any decision is reached."