New games classification system unveiled

The government's Digital Britain report has unveiled plans to introduce a new classification system for all boxed video games in the UK.

Proposed initiatives include a new classification system for video games that incorporates an "enhanced" version of the Pan European Game Information system (PEGI).

According to the report, PEGI was selected because it "combines the best of a pan-European self regulatory system designed specifically for video games with a strong UK based statutory regulator taking account of the views of the UK public".

The document adds: "It will give consumers a single set of clear logos for video games that will apply across most of Europe, providing an international solution for game content regulation.

"It has the flexibility required to adapt to the challenge of rapidly-evolving technology in the games sector and will be highly effective in the online world."

The new ratings system is also claimed to meet the child protection criteria recently put forward in professor Tanya Byron's Safer Children in a Digital World study.