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.

In her efforts to make the public aware of video game content and classification ratings, Dr. Tanya Byron had a few things to say about how critics should be in the scene. The psychologist and author of Byron Review believes the industry should be talking to increase awareness of game content. For more details, head on over to the full article.

Yes, we're definitely back again, and this time QJ.NET put on its combat boots for Activision's Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (also for the Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360). Infinity Ward's recently announced pre-release demo for PC first-person shooter fans took us for bullet-riddled dash across a bombarded, Middle Eastern city to save a malfunctioning tank and its crew from slaughter.

We've all donned our tactical helmets before for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare's multiplayer beta over Xbox LIVE, but we never got the feel of Activision's true Call of Duty experience: the single-player campaign on Veteran mode. If there's anything the pre-release demo must boast about, then it would probably be the fact it made us ache for a whole lot more.

The demo starts out pretty with straightforward, full motion video (FMV) sequences detailing the United States Marine Corps' (USMC) progress in rummaging through the remains of a Middle Eastern capital city. This unnamed city is where the Call of Duty 4's main antagonist, Al Asad, is making his last stand against the Marines' ceaseless onslaught. And all of this was packaged in movie-inspired sequences, with a bit of Nuclear Strike FMV cinematography for added cut-scene awesomeness. You've just got to see to believe.

But first, read on our full impressions of the pre-release demo at the full article!

Possibly driven by media's focus on violence in video games, the UK government has launched a six months-long review on the gaming industry. Psychologist Tanya Byron will be heading the project, with the cooperation of UK's Entertainment and Leisure Software Publisher's Association (Elspa).

Although Elspa will lend a hand to the reviewing effort, its chairman Paul Jackson still has some misgivings about the project, saying:

I think the video games industry is this year's whipping boy. Too often we are blamed for everything from obesity to youth violence it is just not true and it's not appropriate. We are a very important British industry and we are very responsible keen to ensure that our products are only played by those who they are designed for.

Margaret Robinson, former editor of Edge Magazine believes that there's no more need for legislation against the gaming industry, saying that it holds higher standards that the film industry. "This is a solved problem," she said.

Nevertheless, the leading figures of gaming have positive outlook on what the review will yield. Said Jackson:

We feel quite positively about this review. It's clear the review is about making sure parents are properly informed about what their youngsters are playing and what they are accessing on the internet.

Fresh off the news that Manhunt 2 was essentially banned in the UK, the director general of the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publisher's Association (ELSPA) also made known their thoughts on the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) ruling, saying that the recent banning proves that UK's game ratings system works.

According to Paul Jackson, ELSPA's director general, "A decision from the BBFC such as this demonstrates that we have a games ratings system in the UK that is effective. It shows it works and works well." He continues, "Any decision the BBFC takes, it takes on the basis of its remit to rate on screen entertainment."

Jackson also noted that the games industry is despite this one ruling, the games industry is still one that makes games for everyone. "The important thing to know," he says, "is that all games are rated according to age suitability, with over 70 per cent of games being available to all ages over three years."

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.

British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) today announced that the 2007 British Academy Video Games Awards will be held on October 23 at Battersea Evolution in London. This prestigious event "recognises excellence in the fastest-growing form of entertainment" according to Paul Jackson, Chair of the Academy's Games Committee.

Last year's awards drew about 700 attendees, because of this BAFTA has had to seek a larger venue for the 2007 Awards. The Battersea Evolution can hold as much as 2000 guests comfortably, so seating should be no problem. In addition, it is located just five minutes away from Victoria, so it is very accessible to those who will be attending.

Anne Marie-Flynn, the head of the BAFTA awards, is very happy at the choice of their new location, and has given a statement regarding it.

We needed to find somewhere which gave us room to expand, because the Academy’s long term commitment is to make these awards the global kitemark of games excellence. Last year we mounted the most highly attended Awards in the industry and this year will be even bigger. We are very excited about putting on a really visually arresting Awards show in 2007.

To get into the event, you can contact the Academy’s Video Games Officer Kelly Smith on 0207 292 5821 or by email at kellys@bafta.org.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has praised the British creative community for having contributed to the nation's culture and for consistently being the strength that drives Britain to strive for a better way of life.

The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) welcomed the words of the Prime Minister and  commended all the industries in its jurisdiction, including the fast-rising game industry.

"The games industry is a proud member of these industries. The talent and creativity that our industry houses and nurtures is what makes the games industry a part of Britain's cultural heritage, and more specifically, an important asset in Britain's creative and cultural future," said Paul Jackson, Director General of the ELSPA.

Jackson emphasized that the gaming scene in his country continues to grow and as it does, more positive ideas are associated with it, all the while dispelling negative beliefs regarding the field. He also added that British games are among the best and most successful franchises in the world and are posting strong finances to give a significant contribution to the economy.

To date, the British game industry employs over 25,000 people, professional or otherwise. The appeal of games is spreading and transcending age barriers and Jackson happily concludes "we welcome the Prime Minister’s view that games are very much part of creative Britain both culturally and economically and look forward to his continued support."

For the people who have been enjoying the latest trend of workarounds that have arrived for the Wii and quite possibly the PS3, brace yourselves.

In a bid to help up its fight against piracy, the UK-based Department of Trade and Industry is awarding trading standards officers more men, along with a £ 5-million government grant. This comes as part of the new powers being granted under UK's Copyright, Designs and Patents Act.

Going into detail, the new powers include making enforcement of copyright infringement the duty of Trading Standards, and give enforcement officers the power to make test purchases, enter premises, and inspect and seize goods and documents.

DTI minister Malcom Wicks issued this statement in front of the Intellectual Property (IP) Crime Group in London:

There will be an additional 4,500 pairs of Trading Standards eyes watching counterfeiters and pirates. This will mean more surprise raids at markets and car boot sales, more intelligence, more prosecutions and more criminals locked up.

He noted that film, music, and game piracy in the UK cost concerned industries up to £ 9 billion per year, with taxpayers losing out £ 300 million from the illegal trade.

Entertainment and Leisure Software Association (ELSPA) director Paul Jackson welcomes the DTI's initiative, which runs parallel to their recently announced anti-piracy plans for this year. "The fight against IP theft remains a massive problem for not only the games business but film, music and branded goods," Jackson said.

The new powers are scheduled to take effect this April 6.

Some people have this perspective of video gaming and politics that's best captured by the statement: "You CAN fight City Hall." Others aren't as bellicose, and the UK Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers' Association (ELSPA) is one of them. One of its New year's resolutions for 2007 is to build closer working relations with the UK government, says ELSPA Director general Paul Jackson to GamesIndustry.

And by closer, we mean closer. Jackson uses the word "aggressively", and aims at not only Government, but shadow Government - the opposition - as well. Jackson notes the improvement in ELSPA's attitude towards politics: "When I first joined the ELSPA board in '92 or '93 there was almost no interaction between us and the political world." True enough, and between acerbic political soundbites and controversies in video gaming, being a partner rather than an adversary in governance is a good thing.

Of course, this shares priority with running after some scurvy knaves of the seven seas. Arr.