Pan European Game Information

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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 it’s 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 to advise the age suitable to play and to describe the kind of game content.^[1]

PEGI has rated more than 11,000 games from 2003 to 2009.^[2] 50% of the games rated are 3+ age category, 10% of 7+, 24% of 12+, 12% of 16+ and only 4% of 18+.^[3] 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).^[4]

Contents 1 PEGI and the European Union 2 Rating Process and Boards 3 PEGI Committees 4 PEGI On-line 5 Age ratings 5.1 Content descriptions 6 Where PEGI is used 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

[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.^[5]

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.”^[6] 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.”^[7]

[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.^[8] 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.^[9]

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.^[10]

[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.^[11] 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”^[12]

PEGI Online is based on four principles^[13] :

• 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; the categories that were changed are 3+ (changed to 4+) and 7+ (changed to 6+). Another country that changed one of the PEGI age categories is Finland. Before 1 January 2007, in that country 12+ became 11+, and the 16+ classification was changed to 15+. Finland changed its legislation to fully adopt PEGI beginning 1 January 2007, and this also made the 11+ category 12+ again, but the 15+ category remained.

Country	3+	7+	12+	16+	18+
PEGI countries members
Portugal

PEGI is a voluntary system. In the United Kingdom, PEGI articulates with the legal legislation of the British Board of Film Classification, the film rating system, which also gives ratings for some 16+ and all 18+ games. Previously PEGI had no UK legal status, and only BBFC ratings limited who games can be sold to, but as of 16 June 09 PEGI has become a legally enforced body for the rating of all games in the UK. Following this, the age ratings will become colour coded, with green for 3+ and 7+, yellow for 12+ and 16+ and red for 18+.^[14]

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.

• 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.
• 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.

• 16+ rating: This rating is suitable only for persons of 16 years of age or older. Some situations include strong action violence, mild references to gambling, and rude humor, which makes this rating similar to the Mature (low end) and the Teen (high end) ratings from the ESRB.

• 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. Graphic violence, strong sexual content, explicit references to gambling, and vulgar language (spoken and used in song lyrics) are permitted. This rating is fairly rare.

[edit] Content descriptions

The eight content descriptors are:

Online: game can be played online (just recently introduced)

Icon	Content descriptor	Explanation	Examples
	Profanity	May contain profanity, sexual innuendo, threats, and all manner of slurs and epithets.	Grand Theft Auto IV, Fallout 3, Call of Duty: World at War, Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven, Midnight Club: Los Angeles
	Discrimination	May contain cruelty or harassment based on race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual preferences.	Original War, Postal 2: Apocalypse Weekend, Postal 2: Share the Pain, SWAT: Target Liberty
	Drugs	May contain references to illegal drugs or a fictional substance that has parallels to real-life illegal drugs (in use, possession, or sale).	Grand Theft Auto, Fallout 2, Deus Ex: Invisible War, The Warriors, NARC
	Fear	May contain scenes that are considered too disturbing or frightening to younger or more emotionally vulnerable players.	Coraline, NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams, Silent Debuggers, Ico
	Sex	May contain references to sexual attraction or sexual intercourse. Also may contain nudity and female characters dressed in suggestive clothing.	Singles: Flirt Up Your Life, Leisure Suit Larry, Fallout 2, Playboy: The Mansion, BMX XXX, God of War, The Sopranos: Road to Respect
	Violence	May contain scenes of people getting injured or dying, often by use of weapons. Also may contain gore and blood-letting.	Grand Theft Auto, Fallout 2, all games in the Doom series (Doom, Doom 2, Final Doom, Doom 3), Resistance: Fall of Man, Max Payne 2, Mortal Kombat, God of War , Counter-Strike: Source, Devil May Cry 4
	Gambling	May contain games that are played for money (real or simulated).	42 All-Time Classics, Fallout 2, God Hand, Street Hoops, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights, BioShock

The 'Gambling' content descriptor was first used on September 29, 2006 with the title 42 All-Time Classics.

[edit] Where PEGI is used

PEGI is used in 32 European countries, plus Israel. The ratings system is partially recognised in other countries such as the United Arab Emirates^[15] and South Africa^[16] 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	Formally recognized	Legally enforceable	Added national rating system	Notes
Austria	Yes	Partial		Legally in Vienna. Austria has been using the PEGI system since April 2003.[17]
Belgium	Yes	No
Bulgaria	Yes	No
Cyprus	Yes	No
Czech Republic	Yes	No
Denmark	Yes	No
Estonia	Yes	No
Finland	Yes	Yes	VET/SFB	VET/SFB is used if PEGI rating is missing.
France	Yes	No
Greece	Yes	No
Germany	No	No	USK	USK rating is legally enforceable. PEGI labelling can be found on some games along with the USK rating.[18]
Hungary	Yes	No
Iceland	Yes	No
Ireland	Yes	No
Israel	Yes	No
Italy	Yes	No
Latvia	Yes	No
Lithuania	Yes	No
Luxembourg	Yes	No
Malta	Yes	No
Netherlands	Yes	Yes
Norway	Yes	Yes
Poland	Yes	No
Portugal	Yes	No	IGAC
Romania	Yes	No
Russia	No	No		Used only for console games, or for PC games if the game is published by a foreign publisher.[citation needed]
Slovakia	Yes	No
Slovenia	Yes	No
Spain	Yes	No
Sweden	Yes	No
Switzerland	Yes	No
United Kingdom	Yes	Yes[19]	BBFC	BBFC rating is frequently used on games rated "18+" by PEGI, such as Grand Theft Auto IV. BBFC rating is legally enforceable, but PEGI ratings are still usually found alongside for informative purposes. PEGI became legally enforced in June 2009.

[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

[edit] External links

• Official website
• Official website for online games
• ISFE website
• PEGI Video

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