BBFC rating more games?

[Lyris]

I noticed that the European versions of Sonic Gems Collection have been rated by the BBFC instead of going through the usual PEGI route. Does anyone know why? Of course, that also pretty much rules out any chance of the PAL versions having the Streets of Rage games on them. It's weird, it's the first time I've seen a European game with an "All Ages" rating other than an ELSPA or PEGI one.

Sonic Gems at BBFC

Also interestingly enough, they've also classified 102 minutes of some sort of content called "XBOX 360 HARDDRIVE CONTENT" with a U rating. I wonder what this is? Seems unlikely to be gameplay trailers if it's been passed at all ages:

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/website/Classified.nsf/e8ea0df3a881175480256d58003cb570/e16ee6052cdb19d180257046001aea78?OpenDocument

[Ben-K]

Unlimited Saga had a BBFC U rating too. No idea why some games are rated and some not. Weird.

[Family Fry]

There has now been a few games taken to BBFC and given U certs, Burnout Revenge has been also given U, Midway Arcade Treasures 3, Sonic Gem, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. Harry Potter has been given a PG cert, very odd.
Rumour has it the xbox 360 comes with some HI Def pre loaded stuff on there i'd heard it was an xbox live arcade game but seems like it could be a film perhaps running at 102 mins long.
There was an article in MCV this week all about PEGI/BBFC certs, may have o dig it out or find a link to article on web, if i can.

[Stuart Smith]

In the Manhunt aftermath last year, wasn't there a move to have more and more games rated by the BBFC? I think the theory behind it was that parents pay more attention to BBFC ratings because they recognise them because of movies and treat them with more seriousness, or some such garbage. Of course, practically every game at the centre of such a storm has always had a BBFC 18 slapped on it anyways, and that obviously hasn't deterred youngsters from getting their hands on Manhunt before...

[RLench]

I noticed that the European versions of Sonic Gems Collection have been rated by the BBFC instead of going through the usual PEGI route. Does anyone know why? Of course, that also pretty much rules out any chance of the PAL versions having the Streets of Rage games on them. It's weird, it's the first time I've seen a European game with an "All Ages" rating other than an ELSPA or PEGI one.

Sonic Gems at BBFC

Also interestingly enough, they've also classified 102 minutes of some sort of content called "XBOX 360 HARDDRIVE CONTENT" with a U rating. I wonder what this is? Seems unlikely to be gameplay trailers if it's been passed at all ages:

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/website/Classi...8?OpenDocument

Well if it was passed with no cuts then maybe it actually is uncut? Unless it was censored by Sega before submitting it to the BBFC?

I think this is a very good thing tbh. There's a lot of games that push the boundaries with the (IMO) useless PEGI rating system. Unfortunately it means devs are more likely to aim for a lower rating which means more censored games

[Lyris]

RLench, that's right, it only shows up as cut if BBFC have objected to anything. Sega will have already sent them the Yankified version.

[Family Fry]

This is how it works, if anyone is interested...

When a publisher is about to release a game it has to fill out a PEGI (Pan European Games Information) form about the content of the title and a voluntary rating (3+,7+,12+ and 16+) is then automatically issued.
BUT if the form filler ticks one of the adult content boxes, meaning its game contains content covered by the Video Recordings Act (1984)- like "graphic,detailed and sustained violence towards realistic humans or animals" then its off to BBFC for an OFFICIAL, leagally binding 15 or 18 rating.
So that begs the question how in the hell did Chronicles of Riddick escape an 18 certificate? and get away with a PEGI 16+ instead? That means i can sell that game to an under 18 year old and escape without any sentence, fine or punishment. Madness.

[Lyris]

And why did Sonic have to get a BBFC rating?...

[Flabio]

It probably didn't have to. If you don't match any of the criteria that requires a submission, its down to the publisher themselves to decide if they want to submit.

In the case of Sonic, they probably think having a U on there will help sales going into the holiday period. People buying presents for their nephews but not knowing anything about gaming are going to see the U and know it's safe.

[EvilBoris]

Basically games developers don't have to take their games to the BBFC, if they suspect their might be content that will offend people they can send it to be classified. Because if a game went unclassified and turned out to be hideously violent or contain gratuitous sex, the dev could get their ass kicked .