The document outlines the history of controversial video games from 1976 to 2011 and discusses the classification of video games in the UK. It notes several games that caused media storms or required cuts due to violent or sexual content. It describes how games are currently classified through voluntary PEGI ratings or mandatory BBFC ratings if required. The Byron Report recognized games' popularity but concerns over inappropriate content and proposed better regulation and education. Parents want independent regulation and ratings that reflect UK concerns. There is debate around regulating games versus leaving classification to parental choice.

1. Video Games

2. Timeline
 1976: ‘Deathrace’ encouraged players to run over
gremlins
 1983: ‘Cluster’s Revenge’ player required to avoid arrows
and rape a Native American woman tied to a cactus
 1993: ‘Mortal Kombat’ caused a media storm
 2004: ‘Manhunt’ was wrongly implicated in the murder
of Stefan Pakeerah
 2007: ‘Manhunt 2’ is rejected by BBFC for constantly
encouraging visceral killing with little distancing.
 2011: ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’ is biggest video
game of all time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xjCdN_rWCE

3. BBFC: Video Game Classification
 Others include:
 ‘Harvester’ was first game to be cut by BBFC
 ‘The Punisher’ had changes made to minimise effects
of brutal and sadistic interrogations

4. BBFC: Video Game Classification
 These controversial games resulted in tabloid
newspapers calling for all games to come under the
VRA
 Following this, the industry set up a voluntary rating
system administered by the Video Standards Council
 Today, the pan-European PEGI system is in place
 Now games that do no require a mandatory BBFC
rating receive the voluntary PEGI one instead

5. How The Games Are Classified
 Games submitted then tested by specialists in the IT
department
 The titles of the games are examined
 The actual game is played for up to five hours
 Once finished playing, the team discuss any issues
that have arisen
 The decision is then made in line with the BBFC’s
guidelines

6. The Byron Report
 Recognise the popularity of games in young people and
children but are concerned over potentially inappropriate
material e.g. Violence
 See a generational divide amongst parents and their
children
 Propose that there should be a national strategy for child
Internet safety which involves better self-regulation and
provision of information and education for children and
families
 Propose a reformation of the classification system for
video games stating that gaming providers should raise
awareness of what is in games

7. Parents Want Independent Regulation
 Parents concerned about content of video games
 Parents think video games may affect behaviour of
some children
 Parents think video games should be regulated by an
independent regulator
 Parents think video game ratings should reflect the
concerns of UK parents
 Parents think it would help them if video games used
same ratings as films and DVD’s

8. Games Classification-For or Against
For Against
There are examples of young people’s Shouldn’t we just leave the decision for
behaviour being affected by playing video parents to choose what they want to buy
games. Shouldn’t we prevent that from for their child rather than have a national
happening? decision forced upon them?
75% of parents want video games to be The extreme cases in which the young
classified so shouldn’t we respect their person has taken the game far too
concerns? seriously and killed someone have not
been proven enough. No strong evidence.
The cost of regulating the way the Byron
report wants will be costly for the BBFC
Other factors contribute too, such as
watching violence on T.V. (WWE etc.)