This document discusses the regulation of contemporary media, specifically comparing video games to film and outlining some of the same debates around their active versus passive consumption and issues of censorship. It also outlines the roles of the PEGI and BBFC rating systems in the UK and notes some controversial video game titles and case studies that will be examined.

1. Contemporary Media
Regulation:
Video Games

2. Comparisons in media forms:
• Differences in consumption between film and video
games?
• Why study them for this topic?

3. Same Debates:
Activeversus Passive
For and AgainstCensorship Manhunt (2003, Rockstar North)
Tomb Raider (1996, Core Design)
Ethnic Cleansing (2002, Resistance Records)

4. Same Issues:
• Fear of Technology
• Class
• Freedom of the Individual
• Moral Panic
• Scapegoat
• Adults or Children

5. Roles of:
• PEGI (Pan European Game Information): A games content
rating system since 2003. Ratings were simply advisory until July
2012. Now their ratings are legal requirements and they are the sole
organisation for rating video games in the UK. Games are not longer
submitted to the BBFC.
• BBFC (British Board of film Classification): Before July 2012
the BBFC gave legal ratings/censored controversial video games.
They hoped to be given the responsibility all games ratings. As a
result of the change in law, the role of the BBFC has been
diminished.

6. Case Studies:
• Case studies will be studied in class
• You will choose your own contemporary case
study to work on outside of lesson.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009, Infinity Ward)