The body has also apparently handed Resistance 3 an 18 rating, as if you were expecting 12 or something. Resistance 3 is also out in September for PS3.

The final part in Marcus Fenix’s story releases worldwide on September 20.

The game passed with no cuts made and it has 6 minutes and 49 seconds worth of cut-scenes.

Capcom hasn’t actually announced the SSFIV Arcade Edition, but producer Yoshinori Ono has given out mixed signals on the matter before, having said no in the past before changing his tune saying, the game is maybe coming.

The Korean Ratings Board has also passed the game.

Don’t be too surprised if this ends up being a Captivate announcement in April.

The certificate means – obviously – that kids under the age of 15 won’t be allowed to purchase the game in the UK.

The items submitted to the BBFC had a running time of 62 minutes 37 seconds, indicating there’ll be plenty of cutscenes and story for you.

The rating also notes there’s a trailer for Shadows of the Damned included in the game, showing EA will be doing some cross promotion between its two twisted Summer titles.

Alice: Madness Returns is due for release this June. The full posting’s up on the BBFC website.

Both games are out in May and June.

The figure is treble of the one posted by the ratings body last week for Dragon Age II.

The game was unsurprisingly given an 18 rating with no cuts made to the game.

Yakuza 4 launches in the US on March 15 and in Europe on March 18 for PS3.

Thanks, Eurogamer.

It’s been reported that the full implementation of PEGI as the sole age ratings body in the UK has been delayed until fall at the latest.

Trade body UKIE is appealing the move. It found that “some areas of contention that would still allow for dual labelling” between PEGI and the British Board of Film Classification.

“Any dual labelling is contrary to the principles that were established in having PEGI introduced into the Digital Economy Act and if this proposal were implemented we believe it would only cause unnecessary and potentially harmful consumer confusion,” read a UKIE statement.

“UKIE is unhappy with this proposal and the subsequent delay in implementation and is working with DCMS officials to resolve these outstanding issues as quickly as possible.

“UKIE has recently held a meeting with officials where we strongly advocated the need to have just one rating label on all videogames packaging and we are confident that these issues will be resolved favourably for the interactive entertainment industry.”

The then-Labour government of 2009 decided to have PEGI as the sole ratings body in the UK, and implemented by spring of this year after numerous delays. In the UK, PEGI has given age ratings alongside BBFC, who rate games in the UK given a PEGI 16 elsewhere.

Thanks, GI.

The BBFC’s classified Dragon Age 2 with an 18 rating for its UK release. The title has a 103 minutes of cut-scenes and passed with no cuts made.

The BioWare RPG’s out in the UK on March 11 for PS3, 360 and PC.

The BBFC’s given a 15 rating for upcoming Kaos shooter Homefront. The game passed with no cuts made to it, and will feature 46 minutes worth of cut-scenes.

The game’s out in March for PS3, 360 and PC.

The UK’s Board of Film Classification has awarded Guerilla Games’ Killzone 3 a rating of 18, for “strong bloody violence and strong language” found in the 70 minutes of submitted cutscenes. Too bloody right, mate.

The BBFC’s rating listing page for the sci-fi shooter suggests the final game contains at least 1:10 of cinematics.

Despite scoring in the second-highest ratings category, Killzone 3 made it through uncensored, with no cuts to the Helghast-blasting action.

In the US, the ESRB gave the game a rating of Mature for “Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language”, while Europe’s PEGI is yet to return a result. The Australian Classification Board decided on the country’s highest rating, MA15+, for “Strong violence”. Apparently Australians don’t notice swears.

Killzone 3 drops exclusively for PlayStation 3, much to Sony’s never ending delight, on February 22 for US gamers. Europe’s still to get a formal date.

Shock.

Dead Space 2′s been given an 18 rating by the BBFC.

The Visceral game passed with no cuts made.

Cut-scenes in the game will run under an hour according to the listing on the BBFC website.

Dead Space 2 launches on January 28 for PS3, 360 and PC.

The BBFC’s just listed the classification rating for Call of Duty: Black Ops, giving it an 18.

The listing says the Treyarch shooter, the second in the COD series to get an BBFC 18 following Modern Warfare 2 last year, passed with no cuts made.

Read it up here.

Call of Duty: Black Ops launches next Tuesday for PS3, 360, PC, Wii and DS. Watch the launch trailer for it here.

The BBFC’s given OTT Sega actioner Vanquish a 15 rating in the UK.

The Platinum/Shinji Mikami collaboration passed without any cuts being made to it.

The listing for the game also shows it has 55 minutes worth of cut-scenes in it.

No Metal Gear-like length for you, then.

Vanquish was dated last week for the US, Japan and the UK: October 19, 21 and 22 , respectively, for PS3 and 360.

The BBFC’s put a 15 rating on Remedy thriller Alan Wake in the UK.

Look: it’s true.

There’s no other detail than that, unfortunately.

The news is yet another indicator that the Twin Peaks-inspired project may actually be releasing, and that this apparent readiness to launch isn’t just another cruel trick. The game’s been in the works since 2005.

Alan Wake releases on May 18 in the US and May 21 in the UK for Xbox 360. Get our full interview with Oskari Hakkinen here.

The BBFC has given classification to Awakening, the Dragon Age: Origins expansion.

Its been given an 18.

The BioWare RPG expansion passed without any cuts, with cut-scene time running at 40 minutes and 19 seconds.

Awakening was announced just a couple of weeks ago for PC, 360 and PS3, to be released in March.

It’ll feature all new quests, a higher level cap and more.

Anyone hungry for new DLC before that can get Return to Ostagar, although that’s been pulled from Xbox Live due to problems.

The British Board of Film Classification has said that, despite Heavy Rain depicting child murder, a serial killer and prostitution, it still warrants a 15 rating.

The BBFC’s classification description reveals “strong language, violence and sex”, and the board passed the game with zero cuts made to content.

“The videogame was classified on its level of violence and detail,” a spokesperson for the BBFC told incGamers.

“It’s not uncommon for people to die in videogames and a lot of videogames have death in them. People are always being killed in videogames.

“These are obviously not real people, or real people acting, and it all depends on the level of blood and violence. We use the same classification for games as we do for films, and this game is suitable for a 15 audience.”

Rated M for Mature in the US, the game may not see an uncut release Down Under, where the ratings system is more strict.

However, Quantic Dream head David Cage has said previously that the developer will not edit without a fight.

“For Australia, at the moment as far as I know, they take the game as it is. So I don’t know, but I think we need to fight a little bit for that and evangelise,” he said during the Eurogamer Expo last year.

“We haven’t had this discussion yet. We have to make some cuts for certain territories, honestly they’ve been – so far – quite minor cuts. So there is nothing where I felt like, ‘oh my entire experience has totally changed because I had to make those changes.”

The BBFC‘s listed Heavy Rain as a classified 15.

The thriller passed without any cuts, thanfully: Quantic Dream’s Guillaume de Fondaumiere predicted back in October the game would have to undergo cultural censorship in some regions for the game to pass any certifications.

The listing also confirmed the running time of cut-scenes would be 17 minutes and 52 seconds.

The PS3 exclusive should be out as soon as February.

Sony told VG247 this morning a date will be announced “in the next few weeks”.

The British Board of Film Classification has outed a Sonic Collection for possibly Blu-ray or DS.

Called the Sonic Classic Collection, it contains the original title, Sonic 2, Sonic 3, and Sonic & Knuckles and its subsequent “collaborations” with Sonic 2 and 3.

Also contained within it is a Sonic image gallery and a “History of Sonic” video, and a trailer for Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood.

While the listing is leading some to believe it is for DS, others cite a leaked SEGA document which mentioned a “Best of Sonic” Blu-ray for PS3 containing “all of the old Sonic games” for around $100.

We’ll mail SEGA for comment.

Thanks, Kombo.

The BBFC’s rated BioShock 2 as an 18. Not the most shocking thing in the world.

The game “contains strong bloody violence and very strong language,” as you already know.

BioShock 2 will release in “early 2010″.

The BBFC’s rated Assassin’s Creed II a 15.

The game was made with no cuts, but info did reveal that the game will contain over three hours worth of cut-scenes in the game.

A minute and a half is put aside for a  trailer of Avatar: The Game.

ACII is out on November 20 for PS3 and 360.

Modern Warfare 2 has been given an 18 by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).

It had a TBC 18 slapped on display boxarts for retailers, but now it is indeed confirmed.

The game passed certification without any cuts.

It’s also the first COD game to be given an 18. World at War was only a 15.

More through the link. Game’s out on November 10.

The BBFC’s given Dead Space: Extraction an 18, as you can see here.

No cuts were made for UK release, and the game contains “strong bloody violence and strong language,” according to the UK ratings body.

Keep everything crossed against the mature-games-don’t-sell-on-Wii-naysayers, innit.

It’s out in October. Thanks, GoNintendo.

It looks as through three men will be the sole power behind rating games with the new PEGI system in the UK, reports The Times.

Mike Rawlinson, the director-general of ELSPA, says that the three men in the Video Standards Council are “very skilled in their work” and despite BBFC advocates saying otherwise, the PEGI system has been “strengthened and its standards match those of the film censor.”

Meanwhile, another interesting tidbit popped up in the article.

Apparently, the BBFC discovered a recipe for crystal meth when Grand Theft Auto IV was being reviewed for a rating.

After having a chat with Rockstar, who assured the ratings board the recipe was not accurate, it was allowed to remain in the game.

Wow.

Via Kotaku.

British Board of Film Classification director David Cooke says that the regulating body could do a better job than PEGI.

His comment stems from the announcement that PEGI is now the sole games ratings board for UK.

“The BBFC has always supported PEGI and wished it well, but it continues to believe that it satisfies these requirements better than PEGI,” said Cooke.

“However, it will cooperate fully in the detailed work needed to give effect to the government’s decision. And it must be independent in substance as well as appearance, reaching its decisions and providing information on the basis of its own detailed assessments.”

More through the links.

Via MCV.

The release of today’s Digital Britain report will reveal how games are to be rated in the UK.

The tussle between the BBFC and PEGI is expected to be fully resolved this afternoon. Watch from 3.30pm onwards.

If UK games ratings float your boat, obviously.

Thanks, deftangel.

Activision confirmed today that Radical’s open-world, shape-shifting action game, Prototype, will ship on June 5 and 9 in Europe and North America respectively.

The title has passed inspection without any cuts from the BBFC for an 18 rating (thanks, deftangel), while the ESRB has handed it an M for Mature. Did we expect anything less?

The official website has also been updated with new information and content, including a partial video of the game’s introduction.

It’s out for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

Press release is below.

ACTIVISION CONFIRMS PROTOTYPETM LAUNCH TIMING

Radical Entertainment’s shape-shifting phenomenon confirms North American and European ship dates, debuts new intro cinematic movie on official website

London, UK – 8th April, 2009 – No conspiracy here…we promise… Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) confirmed today that the long-awaited open-world action thriller video game PROTOTYPETM will ship in European territories on June 5 and to North American retailers on June 9, arriving in stores shortly thereafter. Fans of the infamous Alex Mercer should also be sure to check out the newly updated official game website located at www.prototypegame.com to gain access and view newly added game information and content, including the first half of PROTOTYPE’s must-see intro cinematic.

PROTOTYPE lets gamers feel the power of being the ultimate shape-shifting weapon. You are the PROTOTYPE: Alex Mercer – a genetically mutated man without memory, armed with amazing shape-shifting abilities, hunting to discover what created you and determined to make those responsible pay. As Alex, gamers tear through a densely populated contemporary New York City moving with Parkour-style fluidity, consuming anybody that gets in their way…assuming their physical form, memories and abilities. Fueled by a three-way war between Alex, the Blackwatch (military) and a viral outbreak known as the Infected, players venture into a deep, dark conspiracy 40 years in the making!

PROTOTYPE is currently rated “RP” (Rating Pending) by the BBFC with an expected “18” rating and will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games for Windows® and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

-ends-

Update: Apparently this is a PSN release of the original PSone game. Thanks, deftangel.

The BBFC’s rated the first Silent Hill, which probably means we’re not that far off an official announcement of Climax’s rumoured Wii-make.

No platforms or developer are listed on the ratings board’s site.

Climax is thought to be developing the game for both Wii and PSP.

Thanks, Kotaku.

Tonie Manders, a politician who sits on the European Parliament’s Committee, has recommended to The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), that Europe should universally adopt PEGI’s rating system.

Mander’s draft report on videogames acknowledges that games and can also be used “well for valuable educational purposes.”

He also believes the PEGI system “provides an elegant solution to the questions raised by the evolving global games industry.”

“Toine Manders has taken a very close look at the needs of a rating system for games that works well across the EU and concluded that PEGI is the right way forward both on- and off-line,” said Michael Rawlinson of ELSPA.

“It is a ringing endorsement of the rating system that we in the UK were instrumental in helping to set up several years ago.

“The protection of children is of paramount important to this industry and we are delighted that a body as significant at the EU’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs committee fully comprehends the merits of PEGI.”

In July last year, the BBFC said that PEGI rating were performed by a “couple of blokes” in a bitter war words about whose ratings system was best. (seriously)

Later than month, Ubisoft, Sega and Nintendo all backed PEGI.

By Mike Bowden

The ratings body will tweak it’s original design after the BBFC said it would take legal advise over the fact it all looked a bit “similar” to its own symbols.

“PEGI has agreed those changes and they will be implemented as part of the PEGI system in the new year, probably in the spring by the time the information has been transmitted to all publishers and incorporated as part of the approvals process for the format holders,” said ELSPA MS Michael Rawlinson.

Ratings: amazing. More through the link.

“Our classification symbols have been colour-coded since 1982. They’re very widely recognised, and in fact they are trademark and copyright protected,” said a rep.

“We’re happy for ELSPA to make sensible improvements, but not if they encroach on the protection of the BBFC’s symbols. We have these symbols using colours, using circles and using numbers, so we are now taking legal advice.”

Whoops. More through the link.