Codex Gamicus
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The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC for short, formerly known as the British Board of Film Censorship) is an organization tasked by the UK government to rate films, TV programmes and some video games for the purposes of informing the public as to the suitability of the media according to age. Video games are required to be classified under the Video Recordings Act. The logos used for the ratings have been updated several times in the history of the BBFC; the last such revamp was in 2020 for packaged media with the revamped rating signs used for theatrical and streaming media from 2019 onwards.

The BBFC system has 7 current ratings, but only the 12, 15 and 18 ratings are usually used for video games, though U and PG can and have been used (PG having been used on Steam, for example). The Uc rating was retired from use in 2009, and was replaced with the BBFCInsight system, which guides parents on which content is particularly suitable for young children. This is a list of rating systems the BBFC has used, both past and present:

Aliases Image Category Notes
Current (2019/20-)
BBFC-E
This title has been exempted from classification by the BBFC
Category:BBFC-E Technically not a rating, but has been employed by some titles. This means that the title is not subject to BBFC classification. This typically applies to genres like documentaries.
BBFC-U
This title has been classified U by the BBFC
Category:BBFC-U Suitable for all ages.
BBFC-PG
This title has been classified PG by the BBFC
Category:BBFC-PG Parental Guidance. May be unsuitable for small children.
BBFC-12
This title has been classified 12 by the BBFC
Category:BBFC-12 Not to be sold to anyone under the age of 12.
BBFC-12A
This title has been classified 12A by the BBFC
Category:BBFC-12A Used for cinema showings of films only. It indicates that the film is not to be shown to anyone under the age of 12 unless they are accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. Introduced in 2002.
BBFC-15
This title has been classified 15 by the BBFC
Category:BBFC-15 Not to be sold or shown to anyone under the age of 15.
BBFC-18
This title has been classified 18 by the BBFC
Category:BBFC-18 Not to be sold or shown to anyone under the age of 18.
BBFC-R18
This title has been classified R18 by the BBFC
Category:BBFC-R18 Not to be sold to anyone under the age of 18. Content must be sold in licensed premises.
Retired
BBFC-Uc
This title has been classified Uc by the BBFC
Category:BBFC-Uc Suitable for all ages, with particular suitability for young children. Retired in 2009.
BBFC-A
This title has been classified A by the BBFC
Category:BBFC-A Replaced by PG certificate in 1982. May be used for historic reasons.
BBFC-H
This title has been classified H by the BBFC
Category:BBFC-H Only for those aged 16 and older. Replaced by X certificate in 1951.
BBFC-X
This title has been classified X by the BBFC
Category:BBFC-X "Passed as Extremely Graphic". Replaced by 18 certificate in 1982. May be used for historic reasons.

The R18 rating has never been used for video games, as this is restricted to pornographic material, with the added stipulations that material given such a rating must never be on public display, nor can the content be sent to customers via the postal system.

12A is only used in cinemas for films that would normally be rated as 12 on VHS, DVD, HD-DVD or Blu-Ray release. 12A stipulates that under-12s are permitted entry to see the film, provided they are accompanied by an adult. 15 and 18-rated films do not permit entry to anyone not at the minimum age required under any circumstances.

The 12, 15 and 18 age ratings are the only legally-binding ratings given to content; selling a video game, film or TV programme rated as such to anyone under the age directed by the rating assigned to that title is a criminal offence. Uc, U and PG are advisory ratings, with no minimum age rating stipulated under the law.

See also[ | ]

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