In the wake of recent ratings controversies (particularly the worldwide controversy over the rating of Manhunt 2 from Take-Two Interactive's Rockstar Games label), the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has launched an online site to help parents understand its ratings.

Games in the UK typically bear the PEGI rating (a voluntary rating system) used in much of Europe, but games that "depict, to any significant extent, gross violence against humans or animals, human sexual activity, human urinary or excretory functions or genital organs, or techniques likely to be useful in the commission of offences" must be reviewed by the BBFC to be distributed in the UK.

The new site, Parents' BBFC, breaks down the BBFC's decisions so that consumers can understand why games received certain ratings. For example, the site explains that the original Manhunt from 2003 contains "strong, bloody violence" and "very strong language." The site goes on to specify exactly why the game receives those labels (for example, "hammer beatings with crunchy sound effects.") The site is a useful tool for those interested in learning what content in a particular game might be considered objectionable.

Interestingly, Manhunt 2, which the BBFC declined to rate (thereby preventing its distribution in the UK) is not described on the site.