The debate over European game ratings shows no sign of abating, rumours abound that the forthcoming Byron Report, commissioned by the government, is likely to recommend a single ratings system, and that the two-ratings approach is confusing.

This week, have waded into the debate (again), UK big wig Neil Thompson advocating the Europe-wide PEGI system as the best way forward.

"We made it very clear to the Byron Report team, both as an and as Microsoft, strongly believe that PEGI has a lot more benefits for customers, parents and for everyone involved in the industry really," Thompson offered.

"PEGI has been established for quite a few years now as the industry standard, so the industry has got behind it and invested a lot of time and effort in it, and it offers a level of in-depth information as well as a level of expertise to be honest, that the doesn't."

PEGI rated far more games than the BBFC last year, although the BBFC contend that PEGI's symbols aren't clear enough. Instead, the Microsoft exec believes that parents need to be better educated about ratings.

By Luke Guttridge