4) Purchase decisions will be made easier
While she doesn't claim to have all the answers, noting that further research in to the effects of violent ga🐽mes on developing minds is clearly a worthy exercise, Dr Byron does point out that the industry itself is morally sound at every level, from the developers right through to retail. Stating that the industry is aware of the concerns and wants to get it right has done wonders for our favourit🌌e past-time's integrity in the public's eyes. And if it hasn't done yet, the suggested educational campaign almost certainly will.

She also points out in her review that the PEGI rating causes some confusion. Unlike the BBFC rating on some games,it doesn't make it il♍legal for so👍meone under the PEGI age to buy the game.

, but there really should be more explanation at point of sale.

Looking at it fromthe parent's point of view, knowing what the child will be experiencing when they play the game is vital. Currently, the 'it's just a game so it can't do any harm' mindset is c☂ertainly part of the problem.

Byron also talꦡks of thefact that only games with more obviously mature content get sent to the BBFC. As a result, '18' and '15' ratings come back, whereas PEGI is allowed to rate games at '12+', but it has no legal meaning. She states:

"I do not think that only putting ’adult’ games on a statutory footing is sufficient to inform parents of potential risks or to protect children from potential risks. One way t൲o strengthen the current system woul💮d be to extend the requirement for statutory classification to games which currently attract a 12+ rating...

"This would mean that s꧒elling any game rated 12+ and above to a child under that age would ⛦become a criminal offence."

If Byron's suggestions are indeed followed in full, we should not only see game boxes become much clearer over what the game contains, but also ensure children are not exposed to adult themes before they are ready for them. And that can only be a𓆉 good thing.

5) Non-gamers will be educated
If every soap-box bothering non-gamer could read the report, a few opinions would certainly be changed. Ignorance is part of the underlying problem he𝓰re, and while the ignorant may cling to their usual arguments, they seem comparatively baseless up against the Byron report. For so much sense to be spoken – for games to be discusse🌊d intelligently in this way – it's very difficult to argue against it. And the high-profile media exposure the report is having, along with the generally good reception can only be good for gaming's credibility.

In conclusion
While the review is only a recommendation to the Prime Minister and not immediately 'the law' just like that, Gordon Brown has said on national TVthat he intends toಞ follow the recommendations fully. We really do hope this isn't just going to be forgotten about, as it's a huge leap forward and we can on꧂ly see good coming from it.

Check out the full PDF of the Byron Review .