New cinema-style warnings for disturbing video games

Ministers will tomorrow give the go-ahead to the first strict and legally binding classification system for video games.

The move follows growing concern about the desensitising influence of unsuitable digital material on a generation of youngsters.

Certified: Violent computer games will have new cinema-style warnings

Culture Minister Margaret Hodge is understood to be ready to accept recommendations from television psychologist Dr Tanya Byron, who conducted a review for the Government.

Ministers believe too little is currently being done to regulate games. 

At present, only those containing scenes of 'gross' violence to humans or animals, explicit depictions of sex, or material that may help criminals commit a crime require an age classification rating from the British Board of Film Classification.

But fewer than 2 per cent carry an 18 rating. Confusingly, the overwhelming majority of computer games are rated under a voluntary European system known as PEGI (Pan European Game Information) ratings.

The proposed changes would mean all games coming under a system of statutory labelling, backed up by heavy penalties for underage sale.

Research suggests children are illegally buying violent video games over the internet because traders fail to check their age.

Certified: Copies of the graphically violent video game Manhunt next to more innocuous games

Youngsters are using online auction sites such as eBay to buy games intended for adults, including Manhunt, Grand Theft Auto, Godfather and Hitman, which are all rated 18.

Dr Byron found that many children outwit their parents about confusing and badly-signalled information on games packaging. 

She warned the Government that allowing children to play on computers unsupervised is as dangerous as letting them play outside on their own. 

Mrs Hodge is expected to give the go-ahead to a compulsory age classification system set down in law, expected to include 18, 15, 12, PG (parental guidance) and U (universal), the same as the system used for films.

The BBFC is likely to have to certify all games attracting a 12 certificate and above. The ratings will have to be displayed prominently on the front of the games.

Retailers who sell video games to underage children in defiance of the new ratings are likely to face heavy fines or up to five years in prison. 

Tory MP John Whittingdale, chairman of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport select committee, said: 'Computer games, like films, provide entertainment, but some content is quite plainly unsuitable for children.

'There needs to be a clear classification system which makes it plain to purchasers, particularly parents, what age range is suitable. 

'And it should be an offence to sell an 18-rated game to somebody who's underage.

'There's enough evidence to suggest that there could be harmful effects that we should act along a precautionary principle, and the Government is right to be doing so.'

A report from Mr Whittingdale's committee is tomorrow expected to back moves to give
the BBFC responsibility for legally-enforceable ratings for video games. 

It will also point to risks to children from the Internet, particularly from social networking sites. 

A spokesman for NCH, the children's charity, said yesterday: 'Ratings on video games must be made compulsory, with tough penalties enforced when they are ignored.

Retailers must share this responsibility and ID individuals buying games.' 

Norman Wells, of the charity Family and Youth Concern, said: 'There is no substitute for parents making sure they are familiar with the games their children want to play and personally satisfying themselves that it is suitable for their children.'

The moves to enforce cinema- style ratings are likely to anger games manufacturers. 

The world's largest games developer, Electronic Arts, said the new scheme would be confusing for parents and would lead to games being released later in Britain than in the rest of the world. 

Fantasy world of violence and death

The move to legally-enforceable classifications was prompted by the shocking levels of violence in today's video games. Here are some of the worst examples:

Grand Theft Auto IV : Billed as the most violent and realistic in the notorious series, players have an almost inexhaustible arsenal to hand.

They assume the identity of an Eastern European immigrant who goes on the rampage through 'Liberty City' as a gangland novice and makes his way up the ranks by killing people to order, dealing in drugs and robbing banks. 

The most violent: Grand Theft Auto IV

Manhunt 2:This was almost refused a certificate because of claims that it featured 'casual sadism' and had an 'unrelenting focus on stalking and brutal slaying'.

Players progress through the game by performing three different kinds of execution - 'hasty', 'violent' and 'gruesome' - and can use a range of weapons, including guns.

The game was banned in June 2007, but went on sale this year after the maker, Rockstar, released an edited version.

Unrelenting brutality: Manhunt 2

Hitman - Blood Money: Players are transported into the mind of Agent 47, a ruthless contract killer. They have a number of weapons with which to commit their crimes, including kitchen knives and stilettoes.

The series of games has also inspired a blood-thirsty film.

Mortal Kombat: A fighting game where players were encouraged to dispatch each other with a series of ultra-violent moves called 'fatalities'.

These include ripping an opponent's heart out, tearing off their head with the spinal column still attached, and setting them on fire.