Ratings could make UK games more expensive, says Microsoft

Not only could videogames see later release dates in the UK compared tothe rest of Europe, but British gamers might have to start paying moreas well.
That's according to Neil Thompson, Microsoft's senior regionaldirector for EDD in the UK and Ireland, who has backed comments madeearlier in the week by EA's Keith Ramsdale regarding the potential impact of the dual ratings system proposed by the Byron Review.
"We're in the business of providing great games to a broad audience ofgamers, and we need to be able to fulfil that role by getting productsto consumers quickly and at a good price," Thompson told GamesIndustry.biz exclusively.

"We're concerned with any measures that would mean this process is mademore unwieldy, or incurs additional costs which have to be shared withthe consumer."
The Byron Review recommended that the BBFC should take moreresponsibility for rating games in the UK, mandating it to cover alltitles suitable for children aged 12-plus - alongside thepublisher-backed PEGI system which is prevalent across a large part ofEurope.
"We want a steady stream of product to consumers via retail andtherefore support PEGI as the single ratings system in the UK," headded. "That way, we're able to ensure the right content goes to theright audience, as efficiently as possible."
The government announced plansfor the ratings system part of the Review to enter a period of publicconsultation, during which feedback will be solicited from thevideogames industry, as well as parents and children.