BBFC: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:06, 19 June 2007

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is a film and video game classification system used in the United Kingdom. All Grand Theft Auto games have been scrutinized by the BBFC and each one has been given an 18 rating. No Grand Theft Auto games have ever been re-rated or considered for re-rating, unlike in Australia where the OLFC re-rated Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas after the Hot Coffee debacle. The first edition of the game was also re-rated in the USA where the ESRB decided that an AO rating was needed.

BBFC Ratings

The BBFC can give one of a number of graphical representations to a film or video game, all of which suggest a different age that is 'fit for viewing'. It's ratings are among the most easy to understand of all rating systems, as unlike the ESRB and CERO which use a lettering grade, the upper age limit ratings for the BBFC are simply numbers, making it obvious to the audience how old you should be.

BBFC Rating: Uc BBFC Rating: Uc	Uc Universal	This should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. U films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.
BBFC Rating: U BBFC Rating: U	U Universal	This should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. U films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.
BBFC Rating: PG BBFC Rating: PG	PG Parental Guidance	Fit for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.
BBFC Rating: 12A BBFC Rating: 12A	12A	This means that the viewer/player should be over the age of 12. An adult may wish to accompany the child.
BBFC Rating: 12 BBFC Rating: 12	12	This means that the viewer/player should be over the age of 12. An adult is not required to accompany the child.
BBFC Rating: 15 BBFC Rating: 15	15	This rating means that no one younger than 15 should view the film/game.
BBFC Rating: 18 BBFC Rating: 18	18	This is the highest rating a film or game can receive, and means that no one under the age of 18 should view or play the game/film. The entire Grand Theft Auto series is rated 18 in the UK.
BBFC Rating: R-18 BBFC Rating: R-18	R-18 Restricted 18	This rating is only awarded to films in exceptional circumstances, and is only shown in licensed cinemas showing pornographic movies, or in licensed sex shops where pornographic moves may be bought or rented. Obviously the viewer must be at least 18 years of age to buy a film with this rating. The BBFC itself says the rating is given to "explicit works of consenting sex between adults".

18-Rated Games in the Grand Theft Auto Series

External Links

Official BBFC Website

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 The '''BBFC''' (British Board of Film Classification) is a film and video game classification system used in the [[United Kingdom]]. All [[Grand Theft Auto]] games have been scrutinized by the ''BBFC'' and each one has been given an '''18''' rating. No Grand Theft Auto games have ever been re-rated or considered for re-rating, unlike in [[Australia]] where the [[OLFC]] re-rated [[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]] after the [[Hot Coffee]] debacle. The first edition of the game was also re-rated in the [[USA]] where the [[ESRB]] decided that an AO rating was needed.
+==BBFC Ratings==
+The BBFC can give one of a number of graphical representations to a film or video game, all of which suggest a different age that is 'fit for viewing'. It's ratings are among the most easy to understand of all rating systems, as unlike the [[ESRB]] and [[CERO]] which use a lettering grade, the upper age limit ratings for the BBFC are simply numbers, making it obvious to the audience how old you should be.
+{| class="wikitable"
+| [[Image:Bbfc-uc.gif|none|34px|BBFC Rating: Uc]] || '''Uc'''<br />''Universal'' || This should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. U films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.
+|-
+| [[Image:Bbfc-u.gif|none|34px|BBFC Rating: U]] || '''U'''<br />''Universal'' || This should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. U films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.
+|-
+| [[Image:Bbfc-pg.gif|none|34px|BBFC Rating: PG]] || '''PG'''<br />''Parental Guidance'' || Fit for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A &lsquo;PG&rsquo; film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.
+|-
+| [[Image:Bbfc-12a.gif|none|34px|BBFC Rating: 12A]] || '''12A''' || This means that the viewer/player should be over the age of 12. An adult may wish to accompany the child.
+|-
+| [[Image:Bbfc-12.gif|none|34px|BBFC Rating: 12]] || '''12''' || This means that the viewer/player should be over the age of 12. An adult is not required to accompany the child.
+|-
+| [[Image:Bbfc-15.gif|none|34px|BBFC Rating: 15]] || '''15''' || This rating means that no one younger than 15 should view the film/game.
+|-
+|[[Image:Bbfc-18.gif|none|34px|BBFC Rating: 18]] || '''18''' || This is the highest rating a film or game can receive, and means that no one under the age of 18 should view or play the game/film. The entire Grand Theft Auto series is rated 18 in the UK.
+|-
+|[[Image:Bbfc-r18.gif|none|34px|BBFC Rating: R-18]] || '''R-18'''<br />''Restricted 18'' || This rating is only awarded to films in exceptional circumstances, and is only shown in licensed cinemas showing pornographic movies, or in licensed sex shops where pornographic moves may be bought or rented. Obviously the viewer must be at least 18 years of age to buy a film with this rating. The BBFC itself says the rating is given to "explicit works of consenting sex between adults".
+|}
 ==18-Rated Games in the Grand Theft Auto Series==
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 * [[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories]]
 * [[Grand Theft Auto IV]] (projected)
+==External Links==
+*[http://www.bbfc.co.uk Official BBFC Website]
 [[Category: Rating systems]]