Keith Vaz Introduces Game Legislation to UK Parliament

Labor MP Keith Vaz, a frequent critic of video game violence, has introduced a bill which would force games sold in the UK to display content descriptors as well as a larger, more prominent rating label.

In describing his proposed legislation, Vaz said, "Video games have increasingly life-like graphics and antisocial themes. Their regulation has improved, but it has not gone far enough. The voluntary code must be made statutory...

"The video games industry in the United Kingdom is widely and rightly seen as one of our many economic success stories... The Bill is not intended to censor the industry. However, we must recognise that it is our duty to protect our children from inappropriate influences such as violent video games."

Gamasutra, meanwhile, finds "Vaz's demand for larger labeling is peculiar given that age rating symbols have recently been increased for titles... rated by the British Board of Film Classification. All games also indicate exactly the content contained within them according to the European PEGI ratings system."

Gamasutra notes that Vaz was formerly Minister of Europe before being forced to resign in a scandal over citizenship applications. The site also report that Vaz has been dogged in his home district of Leicester East by allegation of dirty politics.

For his part, Vaz continues to beat the drum concerning Manhunt and its supposed connection to the murder of a 14-year-old British lad in 2004.