Could it be that we're finally close to a decision on which ratings system should govern the UK game industry? The Byron Review consultation period ended yesterday if you've been following the news. So what's the early word from the participants? Find out in the full article.

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 BBFC has announced that it will be launching a new online rating scheme which will let them rate more media content such as downloadable games, films, and programs. Want to find out more about this? Head on over to the full article for more information.

If you're a lover of living pinatas who make babies with one another, then you're in luck! It seems the BBFC given some preliminary ratings for Viva Pinata for the DS, and have even named the new version for us. Ladies and gents, learn more about Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise after the jump!

Thanks to jimmcq for the tip!

There has been a lot of discussion regarding the recently released Byron Report. Video game publisher and developer Electronic Arts has made clear that it does not believe the conclusions of this study are valid and that the PEGI system should still be used in rating games classified as 12+.  To find out more, head on over to the full article.

Previously, media classification groups from all over Europe complimented the professional review of Dr. Tanya Byron, as part of the UK government's ratings review. Those media groups included the Interactive Software Federation of Europe, who's underlying PEGI was particularly noted. But while the ISFE generally agreed with the report, secretary general Patrice Chazerand doesn't seem to agree with Byron's recommendations for change. More at the full story.

The recent review released by Dr. Tanya Byron regarding the rating standards of violent video games in Europe was met with a most positive response from the different media classification groups in the region. The BBFC, ELSPA, ISFE, and Tiga each gave their own statements, generally agreeing with the suggestions given in the comprehensive document released by the British psychologist. More on this in our full article.

We've received some of the first details regarding Dr. Tanya Byron's review on violent video games classification. The report will detail her findings regarding problems with the BBFC and PEGI, along with her own recommendations. The details are available in the full article.