With the Byron Review, a study of the effects that violent games and more generally technology has upon children due for release shortly, the decision by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) to allow the release of Manhunt 2 is certain to cause ripples. The battle to release this game has gone on for nine months and finally the developers won, with the title to be classified as an 18.
MPs however are growing increasingly disquiet over violent games, such as Manhunt 2, being released. Their argument is to make the BBFC more accountable to parliament over the decisions it makes. A bill put forward last month proposed that parliament should be able to control key appointments and even review decisions made by the classification body.
This however reeks of another way the politicians can make games and films a scapegoat for social ills. The fact we have an independent media classification body in this company is a great attribute. To plough in heavy handed and legislate over a body that in effect performs its tasks adequately is yet another symptom of the nanny state. The BBFC has, for years, looked after our interests and generally has a good record in classifying media in the UK.
The games industry does however hold its own unique challenges for the BBFC; with evermore controversial subjects being approached by developers the work of classifiers is going to become more difficult. While the Byron report may have some criticisms of the BBFC and how it has regulated the games industry in the past, producing heavy legislation and changing the process of classification wholesale is hardly advisable. The law sometimes can be accused of steamrollering in when all is needed is some fine tuning.
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