Pan European Game Information
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pan European Game Information (PEGI) is a European video game content rating system established to help European parents make informed decisions on buying computer games with logos on games boxes. It was developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) and came into use in April 2003; it replaced many national age rating systems with a single European system. The PEGI system is now used in more than thirty countries and is based on a code of conduct, a set of rules to which every publisher using the PEGI system is contractually committed. PEGI self-regulation is composed by 5 age categories and 8 content descriptors that advise the suitability and content of a game for a certain age range based on the games content.[1] The age rating does not indicate the difficulty of the game or the skill required to play it.[2]
As of 2009, PEGI has rated more than 11,000 games.[3] 50% of the games were rated 3, 10% were rated 7, 24% were rated 12, 12% were rated 16 and only 4% were 18.[4] On June 16, 2009, it was declared by the UK's Department of Culture, Media and Sport that PEGI would be the sole classification system for videogames and software in the UK (previously, some videogames were rated by the BBFC)[5], however in some cases games are still re-classified by the BBFC (such as Mass Effect 2 and Aliens vs. Predator).
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[edit] PEGI and the European Union
The study “Video gamers in Europe – 2008” made by Nielsen Games, demonstrates that PEGI age ratings labels are recognized by 93%. 62% are aware of a European game rating system, 50% recognize the content descriptors and 49% of parents find the age rating label system useful when buying a videogame.[6]
PEGI is an example of a European harmonization. The European Commission supports the PEGI self-regulation: “PEGI appears to have achieved good results and PEGI On-line is also a promising initiative, making of PEGI a good example of self regulation in line with the better regulation agenda.”[7] Moreover, the European Parliament in its last report on protection of consumers “takes the view that the PEGI system for rating games is an important tool which has improved transparency for consumers, especially parents, when buying games by enabling them to make a considered choice as to whether a game is suitable for children.”[8]
[edit] Rating Process and Boards
To obtain the ratings for any piece of software, the applicant submits the game with other supporting materials and completes a content declaration, all of which is evaluated by an independent administrator called the Netherlands Institute for the Classification of Audiovisual Media (NICAM). It is based on the Dutch Kijkwijzer system as well.[9] Following the evaluation the applicant will receive a license to use the rating logos. If the applicant disagrees with the rating, they can ask for an explanation or make a complaint to the complaints board. Consumers may also make complaints to this board.
Although PEGI was established by an industry body (ISFE) the ratings are given by a body independent of the industry and the whole system is overseen by a number of different Boards and Committees. There is the Pegi Advisory Board composed mainly by national representatives for PEGI, who recommends adjustments to the code in light of social, legal and technological developments. Members of the Advisory Board are recruited for their skill and experience from among parent/consumer body representatives, child psychologists, media specialists, civil servants, academics and legal advisers versed in the protection of minors in Europe.[10]
There is also a Complaints Board with eighteen experts from various European countries. They are dealing with complaints related to breaches of requirements of the code of conduct or to age rating recommendations. Should a complaint be received from a consumer or publisher regarding a rating given to a game and no satisfactory settlement can be reached by the PEGI administrator through discussion, explanation or negotiation the complainant may formally request the Complaints Board to mediate. Three board members will then convene, hear the complaint and decide on a ruling. Publishers using the PEGI system are bound by the decision of the Complaints Board. Consequently, they are obliged to carry out any corrective actions required and, in cases of non-compliance, are subject to sanctions as laid out by the code.
[edit] PEGI Committees
There are three committees; a criteria committee, a legal committee and an enforcement committee.
Criteria Committee: The Criteria Committee is made up of representatives from ISFE, NICAM, VSC and the industry. It works on adapting and modifying the PEGI questionnaire and the underlying criteria to take account of technological and content developments and recommendations made by the Advisory Board or circumstances brought to light by the complaints procedure.
Legal Committee: Since PEGI is a voluntary system it runs in conjunction with, and is subordinate to, existing national laws, whether they prohibit certain content or establish mandatory rating systems. The Legal Committee’s role is to advise ISFE of any changes to national legislation within participating countries that could have an impact on the voluntary age rating system.
Enforcement Committee: The Enforcement Committee is charged with implementing the recommendations of the Advisory Board and, more generally, of ensuring the enforcement of the provisions of the PEGI Code of Conduct, including conclusion of the Complaints Board. The Enforcement Committee is made up of ten members, five of which are publishers, and five of which are chosen from the Advisory Board.[11]
[edit] PEGI On-line
This division of PEGI was formed in 2007. It’s an addition to the PEGI system for online games and aims to give young people in Europe improved protection against unsuitable online gaming content and to educate parents on how to ensure safe online play.[12] This project is supported directly by the European Commission. “PEGI On-line, which was launched in June 2007 and co-funded by the Safer Internet Programme, is the logical development of the PEGI system, designed to better protect young people against unsuitable gaming content and to help parents to understand the risks and potential for harm within this environment”[13]
PEGI Online is based on four principles[14] :
- the PEGI Online Safety Code and Framework Contract which is signed by all participants
- the PEGI Online Logo which will be displayed by holders of a licence
- the website for applicants and for the general public
- an independent administration, advice and dispute settlement process.
The licence to display the PEGI Online Logo is granted by the PEGI Online Administrator to any online gameplay service provider that meets the requirements set out in the PEGI Online Safety Code (POSC).
[edit] Age ratings
PEGI has five age categories. In Portugal, because the film classification system has some age ratings that conflict with the PEGI system, two of the PEGI categories were changed to avoid confusion; 3 was changed to 4 and 7 was changed to 6. Finland also used to use a modified scale, where 12 became 11 and 16 became 15. Finland fully adopted PEGI on 1 January 2007, and the standard ratings were adopted as well.
| Country | 3 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Portugal |  |
 |
|
|
|
PEGI is a voluntary system. The colour coded PEGI icons were announced in June 2009, with green for 3 and 7, yellow for 12 and 16 and red for 18.[15]
Here are the ratings for the games:
- 3 rating: Suitable for ages 3 and over. Contains very mild violence or suggestive themes. These include edutainment games. Similar to the ESRB's Early Childhood and the Everyone (low end) ratings and BBFC's Uc and U ratings.
- 7 rating: These games are the same as Early Childhood ratings but may include content descriptors like mild violence and in a rare case, very mild action violence. Suitable only for persons of 7 years of age and older and similar to the Everyone (high end) and the Everyone 10+ rating (low end) ratings in the ESRB and BBFC's PG (low end) rating.
- 12 rating: Suitable only for persons of over ages 12 and older. This rating contains mild action violence or suggestive themes and mildly suggestive song lyrics. Similar to the ESRB's Teen (low end) and Everyone 10+ (high end) ratings and BBFC's PG (high end) and 12 (low end) ratings.
- 16 rating: This rating is suitable only for persons of 16 years of age or older. Some situations include moderate to strong action violence, mild references to gambling, and rude humor, which makes this rating similar to the Teen (high end) and the Mature (low end) ratings from the ESRB and the 12 (high end) and 15 (low end) ratings from BBFC.
- 18 rating: This rating is suitable only for persons 18 years of age and older, and is similar to the ESRB's Adults Only and Mature (high end) ratings and BBFC's 15 or 18 rating. Graphic violence, strong sexual content, explicit references to gambling, and vulgar language (spoken and used in song lyrics) are permitted.
[edit] Content descriptions
The eight content descriptors are:
The 'Gambling' content descriptor was first used on September 29, 2006 with the title 42 All-Time Classics. The 'Online' descriptor was introduced in September 2009.
[edit] Where PEGI is used
PEGI is used in 31 European countries and Israel. The ratings system is partially recognised in other countries such as the United Arab Emirates[16] and South Africa[17] since they are considered official PAL regions, although they may import games from regions outside of PEGI's jurisdictions. PAL games officially released in Australia are usually rated by the OFLC. Legally enforceable means the ratings are not simply "voluntary" or "advisory" but are enforced by some kind of local regulation or law.
| Country | Legally enforceable |
Additional rating system |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 Austria |
Partial | Legally in Vienna. Austria has been using the PEGI system since April 2003.[18] | |
 Belgium |
No | ||
 Bulgaria |
No | ||
 Cyprus |
No | ||
 Czech Republic |
No | ||
 Denmark |
No | ||
 Estonia |
No | ||
 Finland |
Yes | VET/SFB | VET/SFB is used if PEGI rating is missing. |
 France |
No | ||
 Greece |
No | ||
 Germany |
No | USK | Not formally recognised. PEGI labelling can be found on some games along with the USK rating, which is legally enforceable.[19] |
 Hungary |
No | ||
 Iceland |
No | ||
 Ireland |
No | IFCO | Uses PEGI as a guideline and adds an IFCO rating if legal enforcement is desired. |
 Israel |
No | ||
 Italy |
No | ||
 Latvia |
No | ||
 Lithuania |
No | ||
 Luxembourg |
No | ||
 Malta |
No | ||
 Netherlands |
Yes | ||
 Norway |
Yes | Depending on the cashier, some retailers choose not to sell games to persons younger than the recommended age. | |
 Poland |
Yes | ||
 Portugal |
No | IGAC | |
 Romania |
No | ||
 Russia |
No | Used only if the game published by a foreign publisher.[citation needed] | |
 Slovakia |
No | ||
 Slovenia |
No | ||
 Spain |
Yes | ||
 Sweden |
No | ||
 Switzerland |
No | ||
 United Kingdom |
Yes | Fully adopted PEGI in September 2009; previously used PEGI as a guideline only and used a BBFC rating if legal enforcement was desired. |
[edit] See also
- CERO, the Japanese computer and video game rating system
- DJCTQ the Brazillian media rating system.
- ESRB, the North American computer and video game rating system
- ELSPA, the former British computer and video game rating system, replaced by the PEGI ratings.
- USK, the German computer and video game rating system
- OFLC (Australia), the Australian media rating system
- OFLC (New Zealand), the New Zealand media rating system.
[edit] References
- ^ www.pegi.info/en/ PEGI Website
- ^ http://www.pegi.info/en/index/id/33/
- ^ NICAM activity report march 2009
- ^ http://www.pegi.info/en/index/id/37/ PEGI Website
- ^ Kotaku: PEGI triumphs over the BBFC
- ^ http://www.pegi.info/en/index/id/37/ ; http://www.isfe-eu.org/index.php?PHPSESSID=chr154nv5gn99ans2v8i72o9k7&oidit=T001:662b16536388a7260921599321365911
- ^ Communication from the commission o the european parliament, the council, the european economic and social committee and the committee of the regions, on the protection of consumers, in particular minors, in respect of the use of video games, Brussels, 2008,p.9
- ^ Toine Manders, Report of the European Parliament on the protection of the consumers, in particular minors, in respect of the use of video games, 2009, p.6. article 24
- ^ http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/pagina.php?id=3 NICAM website
- ^ http://www.pegi.info/en/index/id/41/ Website PEGI
- ^ http://www.pegi.info/en/index/id/41/ Website PEGI
- ^ www.pegionline.eu PEGI Online Website
- ^ Communication from the commission o the european parliament, the council, the european economic and social committee and the committee of the regions, on the protection of consumers, in particular minors, in respect of the use of video games, Brussels, 2008, p.3.
- ^ http://www.pegionline.eu/en/index/id/232 PEGI Online Website
- ^ http://www.edge-online.com/news/pegi-unveils-new-ratings-symbols
- ^ U.A.E.'s Xbox site describing PEGI ratings
- ^ South Africa's Xbox site describing PEGI ratings
- ^ Wien: Games nur noch mit Altersnachweis - futurezone.ORF.at
- ^ "Halo 2: Best of Classics". EB Games.de. 2006. http://www.ebgames.de/product_info.php?products_id=5301. Retrieved 2006-09-25.
