The Digital Economy Bill was this afternoon given Royal Assent. PEGI will therefore become the new classification system for video games in the UK during the next Parliament.

This follows a massive campaign led by ELSPA to abolish the BBFC’s classification of adult rated games in the UK and replace it with the PEGI system overseen by the Video Standards Council.

Michael Rawlinson said: ‘This is a huge victory for child safety, ELSPA and the games industry. It is the culmination of a 2 ½ year campaign based on hard work, commitment and determination’

‘This achievement once again reflects how far ELSPA has travelled over the last five years in changing the attitudes of Parliament towards the games industry.’    

Andy Payne, Chairman of ELSPA said:                                                                                                                          

‘Age rating is absolutely essential for all games and UK government worked hard with the computer games industry to get a system in place that can work for all consumers.

This is now law and means we can move on to the next pressing areas for political engagement – namely consultation on the tax breaks, greater integration of the education system and the computer games industry and IP protection.

We look forward to working with the UK government and the games industry with the same proactive approach.’

What’s next? The Euro? Nah!!