Former editor of Edge magazine, Margaret Roberton hailed the BBFC as setting “a worldwide gold standard” whilst saying that the decision to overturn their ruling on the certification of Manhunt has come at a bad time for the ratings committee. The BBC are reporting that a parliamentary attempt to give the government more control over the British Board of Film Classification was talked out last month. However the fact that it even made it to the debating stage shows that the government is losing faith in the independent ratings group. Amidst the usual media frenzy of blaming violent games for violence among yong people, developers and publishers in the UK are awaiting the Byron Review into the effects of technology on children. The government review will seek to advise on the links between film and game violence and the behaviour of children and teenagers.

Julian Brazer, Conservative MP, told the BBC: “The problem is that the Video Appeals Committee needs sorting out: it always sides with the industry and only the industry itself can appeal.”

Is it the responsibility of the government, to decide what we can and cant view? Im all for classification and age restrictions, but it needs to be done by an independent body, not one with a vested interest in the games industry or a political agenda.

‘Game Ratings Under More Scrutiny’ via the BBC.

The Star Tribune reports on similar political interventions into games classification in America.