The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is threatening to sue the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) for copying their current rating board for the classification of videogames. The new system proposed by the ELSPA is supposed to give parents a quick and easy reference on the appropriateness of a particular video game though a series of colored symbols.

The ELSPA-BBFC battle rages on. After getting hammered once again by the Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has fired back and announced that it "rejects ELSPA's claims".

And the war against BBFC wages on. Are they really fit to rate video games, considering their system is built on movie ratings? ELSPA boss Paul Jackson spells things out for everyone: he says the BBFC isn't fit to rate video games anymore, and that PEGI would do a better job at it.

The recent Byron report released in Europe gave the different classification groups in the region something to think about. Despite advocating a medium between both the BBFC and PEGI rating systems, ELSPA had its own opinion regarding the matter by favoring the PEGI Age Rating System as the sole classification system for video games in Europe. Find out the reason behind this by reading our full article after the jump.

In her efforts to make the public aware of video game content and classification ratings, Dr. Tanya Byron had a few things to say about how critics should be in the scene. The psychologist and author of Byron Review believes the industry should be talking to increase awareness of game content. For more details, head on over to the full article.

It's no secret that companies are gunning to make their mark on the European video game industry. Why wouldn't they considering the huge amount of revenue they stand to get from that region.

If you're unconvinced that the area is a major territory in the console wars, you might change your mind once you've seen the sales figure for UK. Head on over to the full article for the complete story.

Possibly driven by media's focus on violence in video games, the UK government has launched a six months-long review on the gaming industry. Psychologist Tanya Byron will be heading the project, with the cooperation of UK's Entertainment and Leisure Software Publisher's Association (Elspa).

Although Elspa will lend a hand to the reviewing effort, its chairman Paul Jackson still has some misgivings about the project, saying:

I think the video games industry is this year's whipping boy. Too often we are blamed for everything from obesity to youth violence it is just not true and it's not appropriate. We are a very important British industry and we are very responsible keen to ensure that our products are only played by those who they are designed for.

Margaret Robinson, former editor of Edge Magazine believes that there's no more need for legislation against the gaming industry, saying that it holds higher standards that the film industry. "This is a solved problem," she said.

Nevertheless, the leading figures of gaming have positive outlook on what the review will yield. Said Jackson:

We feel quite positively about this review. It's clear the review is about making sure parents are properly informed about what their youngsters are playing and what they are accessing on the internet.

Fresh off the news that Manhunt 2 was essentially banned in the UK, the director general of the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publisher's Association (ELSPA) also made known their thoughts on the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) ruling, saying that the recent banning proves that UK's game ratings system works.

According to Paul Jackson, ELSPA's director general, "A decision from the BBFC such as this demonstrates that we have a games ratings system in the UK that is effective. It shows it works and works well." He continues, "Any decision the BBFC takes, it takes on the basis of its remit to rate on screen entertainment."

Jackson also noted that the games industry is despite this one ruling, the games industry is still one that makes games for everyone. "The important thing to know," he says, "is that all games are rated according to age suitability, with over 70 per cent of games being available to all ages over three years."

As Gordon Brown laces up to take over the spot that Tony Blair is leaving, shock waves are felt even on the British games industry after key people in the Department of Trade and Industry were cut out of the loop, compromising the sector's ability to communicate with the government.

The man being referred to is John Kroeger, known as the "DTI's game man." Kroeger is recognized as the human link between the game publishers, the consumers, and the government for his expertise and dedication to the business.

Industry big boys Paul Jackson, Ray Maguire, and Andy Payne admit that the financial support for the development of the gaming business has dwindled in the Blair administration, and may continue to do so under a Premier who has other concerns in his priority heap ahead of gaming. Still, the top cats haven't lost faith.

"This does not mean we won't be heard in Government. Our industry, alongside ELSPA and TIGA, has forged stronger relationships than ever with a number of Government bodies," says SCE UK Vice President Ray Maguire. "This allows us to continue the work all parties have done thus far, to further strengthen and promote the UK games sector, at home and abroad."

The UK gaming market is one of the most vibrant in its region, with sales being a major point of focus by international publishers. Still, it's also a fact that it has one of the highest average prices of game hardware ands software in the world, perhaps an indirect effect of the absence of strong support.

British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) today announced that the 2007 British Academy Video Games Awards will be held on October 23 at Battersea Evolution in London. This prestigious event "recognises excellence in the fastest-growing form of entertainment" according to Paul Jackson, Chair of the Academy's Games Committee.

Last year's awards drew about 700 attendees, because of this BAFTA has had to seek a larger venue for the 2007 Awards. The Battersea Evolution can hold as much as 2000 guests comfortably, so seating should be no problem. In addition, it is located just five minutes away from Victoria, so it is very accessible to those who will be attending.

Anne Marie-Flynn, the head of the BAFTA awards, is very happy at the choice of their new location, and has given a statement regarding it.

We needed to find somewhere which gave us room to expand, because the Academy’s long term commitment is to make these awards the global kitemark of games excellence. Last year we mounted the most highly attended Awards in the industry and this year will be even bigger. We are very excited about putting on a really visually arresting Awards show in 2007.

To get into the event, you can contact the Academy’s Video Games Officer Kelly Smith on 0207 292 5821 or by email at kellys@bafta.org.