UK Gamers Could See Even Higher Prices and Longer Delays. Hurray!
by John Kershaw on June 27, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I ran out of symbols.
The UK could soon be paying even more for its games if Microsoft’s predictions come true. Government plans to use two rating systems for games could cause an increase in price, as well as added delays.
When the Byron report was released a few months ago, the gaming industry expressed disagreement with its recommendation to use the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) to set the age rating on games, as well as the industry backed and Europe-wide PEGI (Pan European Game Information) system.
The proposed solution of using both system has come under heavy criticism, with EA’s VP and general manager, Keith Ramsdale, telling GamesIndustry.biz that “an extra and unnecessary layer of administration beyond a single system slows the process, and that delay will get passed on to the players themselves.”
Microsoft have now backed EA up on the matter. Neil Thompson, Microsoft’s senior regional director for EDD across UK and Ireland, has added that “we’re concerned with any measures that would mean this process is made more unwieldy, or incurs additional costs which have to be shared with the consumer.”
So, if you thought it was already unfair that UK gamers are paying between 50% and 100% extra for their games and waiting up to 6 months for them to come out, it looks like things could get worse.
In related news, Super Smash Brothers Brawl gets released today in the PAL territories, 5 months after it’s release in the US.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
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on June 27, 2008 1:01 pm
Later release dates AND more money out of your pocket!!! Whats not to love!
on June 27, 2008 2:04 pm
I really will have to stop being surprised by things like this. Next they will be telling us of a price rise because the disc is a by-product of oil…..