Comments on: BBFC ratings could delay UK game releases, says EA

By: pjmaybe

pjmaybe — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:01:05 +0000

You’re right wiggy old son, I should’ve said publishers.

Developers are the poor souls shat upon from on high by publishers when it comes to release dates not t’other way round.

By: Shatner

Shatner — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:53:22 +0000

pjmaybe, product age certification isn’t anything to do with bugs. It’s typically a publisher responsibility too, not a developer one.

Apart from those two things I’d say you made a good observation.

By: Whizzo

Whizzo — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:16:03 +0000

This EA statement certainly has a whiff of bullshit about it.

By: SticKboy

SticKboy — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:01:35 +0000

This is utter lies. All mature games are rated by the BBFC already - how is this a change in protocol?

The only reason why EA and the other big publishers are against the BBFC is because they don’t like the idea of paying for something when they have no direct control over the outcome, as is currently the case with the publisher set-up and funded PEGI and ESRB.

By: pjmaybe

pjmaybe — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:55:52 +0000

Oh well at least it’ll give developers a better excuse than “the dog ate my bug sheet”

By: Shatner

Shatner — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:43:11 +0000

Hmm. That’s worded a bit conveniently. Make it sound like the BBFC are enemies of “players” and you’ll instantly get the internet mob on your side.

Sure, the more admin, the more time things take to get approval.

But no intelligent publisher (and I regard EA as an intelligent publisher) is going to announce a street date for a game that hasn’t yet been certified. And if you don’t announce a date, you don’t have to announce a delay.

This all runs contrary to my feelings about the BBFC involvement though. I’m of the opinion that it won’t make any difference at a consumer level. GAME will still sell GTA to 12 year olds whether the BBFC are involved or not.