The recent Byron report released in Europe gave the different classification groups in the region something to think about. Despite advocating a medium between both the BBFC and PEGI rating systems, ELSPA had its own opinion regarding the matter by favoring the PEGI Age Rating System as the sole classification system for video games in Europe. Find out the reason behind this by reading our full article after the jump.

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.

As Gordon Brown laces up to take over the spot that Tony Blair is leaving, shock waves are felt even on the British games industry after key people in the Department of Trade and Industry were cut out of the loop, compromising the sector's ability to communicate with the government.

The man being referred to is John Kroeger, known as the "DTI's game man." Kroeger is recognized as the human link between the game publishers, the consumers, and the government for his expertise and dedication to the business.

Industry big boys Paul Jackson, Ray Maguire, and Andy Payne admit that the financial support for the development of the gaming business has dwindled in the Blair administration, and may continue to do so under a Premier who has other concerns in his priority heap ahead of gaming. Still, the top cats haven't lost faith.

"This does not mean we won't be heard in Government. Our industry, alongside ELSPA and TIGA, has forged stronger relationships than ever with a number of Government bodies," says SCE UK Vice President Ray Maguire. "This allows us to continue the work all parties have done thus far, to further strengthen and promote the UK games sector, at home and abroad."

The UK gaming market is one of the most vibrant in its region, with sales being a major point of focus by international publishers. Still, it's also a fact that it has one of the highest average prices of game hardware ands software in the world, perhaps an indirect effect of the absence of strong support.

As the video game industry grows, countries start offering game development courses. The UK, for instance, has more than 80 educational institutions catering aspiring developers. TIGA, a trade association representing games software developers with 157 members, says that "Very few graduates of so-called 'games' courses are fit for purpose."

TIGA's CEO, Fred Hasson, expressed his lack of trust in these courses actually producing game developers. He quoted a company saying "We don't even know if we'll use them for QA". Apparently, Hasson is not happy with these courses. According to him, "Basically, these courses are a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but no basic foundations for a skill set."

To address this problem, he asked the government for help. "We have contributed quite significantly because it's the best thing we're going to get. If we don't tell the government what we want, they're not going to listen."

GamesIndustry.biz reports that Ubisoft boss Yves Guillemot will be keynoting this year's Edinburgh Interactive Entertainment Festival (EIEF) to be held in August. Guillemot will be delivering one of the event's two keynote addresses. The BBC's Simon Nelson will be delivering the other.

Fred Hasson, the CEO of festival organiser TIGA, said that this year's event will look at how video games interface with other media. This will most likely be the focus of Guillemot and Nelson's keynote addresses. Also taking to the stage will be Jim Purbrick from Second Life creator Linden Lab and a spokesperson from EVE Online publisher CCP.

The EIEF is the longest running event of its kind in the UK. This year's event will be the fifth time that the videogame conference will take place. Exact dates for the conference have yet to be announced.

Europe is now set to upgrade their status in the world games market with their own set of developer conferences, starting with the Northern Exposure (no relation to the TV series, folks) Games Conference 2007 announced for a May launch. Game industry big names in the region, such as Eidos, Revolution Studios, Introversion and IGA Worldwide, are confirmed to bring forth speakers for the event.

 

Obviously the first of many more big game events slated for the region, Northern Exposure 07 will tackle opportunities for the UK and Euro company to enter in the world game Market. NE 07 now sits side-by-side with the Develop Conference & Expo coming back to Brighton in late July, GCDC 2007 coming to Leipzig in late August, and the Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC) 2007 Finals coming to Paris in early July.

But instead of focusing all on the European market, the event will also help many industries try to maintain balance between the need for profit and the need for creativity. Leaning heavily on the experience of already established developer companies, NE 07 hopes to provide a solution to the profit vs. new IP dilemma. Nina Cliff of CodeWorks GameHorizon (the organizers) said:

Spiralling development costs and team sizes in recent years have increased the pressures on studios and threatened their creative ethos. Northern Exposure 07 will investigate how – through new business models and platforms – developers can retain that characteristic sense of imagination and still make a profit.

In order to boost the developer morale in the region, other big names such as Mumbo Jumbo, Eutechnyx, Team 17, Blast Entertainment, TIGA, and Carbon Engineering will also participate in the event. Topics such as finding ways to enter Xbox Live Arcade title development, growing casual gaming markets, direct (digital) distribution, and exploring profit possibilities in in-game advertising will be discussed.

The conference will take place at York Racecourse, UK in May 10, starting from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. An after-event party is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start over at Pitcher and Piano.