Pan European Game Information

Pan European Game Information
PEGI logo
Abbreviation PEGI
Formation 9 April 2003 (2003-04-09)
Purpose Video game classification
Region served
Europe, Israel
Parent organization
 Interactive Software Federation of Europe
Website http://www.pegi.info

Pan European Game Information (PEGI) is a European video game content rating system established to help European consumers make informed decisions when buying video games or apps through the use of age recommendations and content descriptors. 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 40 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 five age categories and eight 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 is not intended to indicate the difficulty of the game or the skill required to play it.[2]

Age ratings

PEGI has five age categories.

Rating Description
Suitable for all ages.
Recommended for persons 7 and older. Compared to PEGI 3, the game has to contain possibly frightening scenes or sounds.
Suitable for persons 12 and older. Compared to PEGI 7, the game has to contain slightly graphic violence or non-graphic violence towards human-looking characters; or contains slight nudity.
Suitable for persons 16 and older. Compared to PEGI 12, the game has to contain realistic violence or sexual activity; or extreme bad language and depictions of tobacco/drug use or criminal activity.
Suitable only for persons 18 and older. Compared to PEGI 16, the game has to contain very realistic and extreme violence that may be repulsive to players.

The current design was introduced at the end of 2009. Black and white icons were used until June 2009, when the colour-coded PEGI icons were announced, with green for 3 and 7, orange for 12 and 16, and red for 18. Plus signs were removed from the icons, and the background text changed from 'ISFE' from the old, black-and-white icons to 'PEGI' from the new, colour-coded PEGI icons.[3] That design was slightly altered at the end of 2009, by removing the watermark and locking the URL bar underneath the age rating icon. Reprinted games from 2009 or before often still display the old designs.

2003 2009 2010

In Portugal, two of the PEGI categories were aligned with the age ratings of the film classification system to avoid confusion; 3 was changed to 4 and 7 was changed to 6. Finland also used a modified scale, where 12 became 11 and 16 became 15. Finland fully adopted PEGI on 1 January 2007, and the standard ratings were fully enforced as well.

Standard PEGI 3 PEGI 7
Portugal

Content descriptions

The nine content descriptors are:

Icon Content descriptor Explanation Corresponding age ratings
Violence Depending on the age category, the game may contain scenes of people getting injured or dying, often by use of weapons, whether realistically or not, in a fantastical or cartoonish manner. May also contain gore, injury detail, and blood-letting.
Bad Language May contain profanity and all manner of slurs, insults, and epithets.
Fear / Horror May contain scenes and plot elements too disturbing, overly suspenseful, or frightening to younger/sensitive players at PEGI 7 or horrifying content in the absence of violence at PEGI 12.
Sex Depending on the age category, the game may contain scenes or references to nudity (sexual or otherwise), sexual posturing, characters wearing suggestive clothing, or sexual intercourse.
Drugs / Alcohol Depending on the age category, the game may contain references to or consumption of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs (or a fictional substance similar in effect to real-life illegal drugs)
Gambling May contain elements that encourage or teach gambling.
Discrimination May contain scenes, behavior, or references to cruelty or harassment to a group of specific people based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, ability, or sexual identity/preferences.
Online May contain online interactions. This descriptor was discontinued by PEGI in 2015, with the majority of present-day games and all consoles allowing for online interactions. Still appears for games classified before July 2015.
- In-Game Purchases To be introduced in 2018. May contain additional paid content, such as microtransactions or downloadable content, that can be purchased with real money inside the game.[4]

Statistics

As of December 2015, PEGI has rated more than 25,300 games. 42.2% of these games were rated 3, 15.8% rated 7, 22.3% rated 12, 12.7% rated 16 and only 7% were rated 18.[5]

Of all the games that were rated in 2015 (1855 games in total):

  • 64.7% (1201) have the Violence content descriptor.
  • 25.4% (472) have the Online content descriptor.
  • 18.4% (341) have the Bad Language content descriptor.
  • 7.7% (142) have the Fear content descriptor.
  • 4.7% (88) have the Sex content descriptor.
  • 1.4% (26) have the Gambling content descriptor.
  • 1.2% (23) have the Drugs content descriptor.
  • No games have the Discrimination content descriptor.

PEGI and the European Union

A consumer survey commissioned by ISFE in 2012 demonstrated that the PEGI age rating labels are recognised on average by 51% of respondents in 16 different countries (highest: France - 72%; lowest: Czech Republic - 28%), while 86% of all respondents found them to be clear and 89% found them useful.[6]

PEGI is an example of a European harmonisation. 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]

Rating process

To obtain the ratings for any piece of interactive software, the applicant submits the game with other supporting materials and completes a content declaration,[9] 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.[10] 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 Council, composed mainly by national representatives for PEGI, that recommends adjustments to the code in light of social, legal and technological developments. Members of the PEGI Council 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.[11]

There is also a Complaints Board with experts from various European countries. They deal 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.

Global cooperation in IARC

In 2013, PEGI co-founded the International Age Rating Coalition with USK and the ESRB. IARC aims to streamline the rating of digitally distributed games and apps by providing a single online system that produces age ratings for all participating regions. By filling out one questionnaire, a publisher instantaneously receives ratings from PEGI, USK, ESRB, ACB and others.[12][13]

PEGI committees

There are a number of committees to ensure the system keeps functioning properly.

  • Experts Group: The PEGI Experts Group is made up of academics working in the fields of psychology and sociology, and representatives from NICAM, VSC, and the games 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 PEGI Council 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 PEGI s.a. of any changes to national legislation within participating countries that could affect the voluntary age rating system.
  • Enforcement Committee: The Enforcement Committee is charged with implementing the recommendations of the PEGI Council and, more generally, of ensuring the enforcement of the provisions of the PEGI Code of Conduct, including conclusion of the Complaints Board.

PEGI Online

In 2007, the PEGI Online division of PEGI was formed as an addition to the PEGI system for online games. Goals include giving young people in Europe improved protection against unsuitable online gaming content and educating parents on how to ensure safe online play.[14] 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.[15]

PEGI Online is based on four principles:

  • 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).[16]

Usage

PEGI is the standard age rating system for video games in 39 European countries and Israel, but products with PEGI labels can be found across the globe alongside other rating systems as a result of import for linguistic reasons (e.g.: English versions in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, Spanish or Portuguese versions in Latin America). The official status of PEGI ratings varies from country to country, depending on the way national legislation deals with age classification and the protection of minors. In some countries, PEGI is the de facto standard without specific regulation, other countries have officially acknowledged PEGI as the sole system for age ratings, while yet another number of countries have incorporated the PEGI rating system into laws governing the age classification of media, making the labels enforceable in retail.

Country Status Local system
 Albania De facto use of the PEGI labels, no specific legislative basis or official support.
 Austria PEGI is legally adopted and enforceable in the regions of Vienna and Kärnten.[17] In the latter region, USK labels are also allowed. Represented in the PEGI Council.
 Belgium Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.
 Bosnia and Herzegovina De facto use of the PEGI labels, no specific legislative basis or official support.
 Bulgaria Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
 Croatia De facto use of the PEGI labels, no specific legislative basis or official support.
 Cyprus Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.
 Czech Republic Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.
 Denmark Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
 Estonia Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.
 Finland In Finland, games with PEGI ratings are exempt from mandatory classification with national age symbols. Both classifications are enforced by the penal code. Represented in the PEGI Council. KAVI
 France France has adopted legislation making classification of video games with age labels mandatory.[18][19] Represented in the PEGI Council.
 Greece Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
 Germany The USK system is adopted and enforced.[20] PEGI is not formally recognised, although PEGI labelling can be found on games along with the USK rating. Not represented on the PEGI Council. USK
 Hungary De facto use of the PEGI labels, no specific legislative basis or official support.
 Iceland PEGI is officially supported and age classifications are mandatory for video games by law.[21]
 Ireland PEGI ratings are exempt from mandatory classification by IFCO, which adopts PEGI. IFCO is still legally empowered to ban certain video game content from the market. Represented in the PEGI Council.
 Israel PEGI has been adopted by law as the mandatory classification system for video games in Israel.[22]
 Italy Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
 Kosovo De facto use of the PEGI labels, no specific legislative basis or official support.
 Latvia Officially supports PEGI, no specific legislative basis or official support.
 Lithuania Lithuanian legislation has adopted PEGI which is exempt from mandatory classification with national age symbols. Both classifications are enforced by the penal code as of Nov 2010.[23]
 Luxembourg Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
 Macedonia De facto use of the PEGI labels, no specific legislative basis or official support.
 Malta Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, PEGI is the legally enforceable system for game classification in Malta since January 2016.
 Moldova De facto use of the PEGI labels, no specific legislative basis or official support.
 Montenegro De facto use of the PEGI labels, no specific legislative basis or official support.
 Netherlands PEGI is officially adopted and legislation is in place to enforce age classification in shops where video games are sold.[24][25]
 Norway Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
 Poland Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
 Portugal PEGI has officially been adopted by the Portuguese Classification Board IGAC. IGAC
 Romania Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.
 Serbia De facto use of the PEGI labels, no specific legislative basis or official support.
 Slovakia De facto use of the PEGI labels, but Slovak media law obliges distributors to add national age labels (generally using stickers).
 Slovenia Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.
 Spain Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
 Sweden Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
  Switzerland Switzerland is preparing national legislation to make classification of video games with age labels legally binding.[26]
 Turkey De facto use of the PEGI labels, no specific legislative basis or official support.
 United Kingdom PEGI is the legally enforceable system for game classification in the UK since 30 July 2012.[27][28] Has official support for PEGI, and is represented in the PEGI Council. BBFC

References

  1. ↑ "PEGI Website". Pegi.info. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  2. ↑ "PEGI Pan European Game Information – What do the labels mean?". Pegi.info. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  3. ↑ Tom Ivan (17 June 2009). "PEGI Unveils New Ratings Symbols". Edge. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on 19 December 2011.
  4. ↑ http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2018/08/30/uk-video-game-boxes-will-soon-warn-of-in-game-purchases
  5. ↑ "PEGI 2015 annual report, page 13" (PDF). Pegi.info. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  6. ↑ "Videogames in Europe: Consumer Study - European Summary Report" (PDF). isfe.eu. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  7. ↑ Communication from the commission of 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
  8. ↑ 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
  9. ↑ "PEGI Assessment Form" (PDF). Pegi.info. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 December 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  10. ↑ NICAM website Archived 21 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  11. ↑ "Website PEGI". Pegi.info. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  12. ↑ "Getting Digitally-Distributed Games Classified in Australia to Be Cost-Free - IGN". au.ign.com. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  13. ↑ "New International Age Ratings System Launching Worldwide Next Year | Video Game Deals & UK News | Dealspwn.com". dealspwn.com. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  14. ↑ "PEGI Online Website". Pegionline.info. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  15. ↑ Communication from the commission of 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.
  16. ↑ "PEGI Online Safety Code". Pegionline.info.
  17. ↑ "Austrian government page explaining PEGI and its status".
  18. ↑ "Article explaining plans for legal change in France".
  19. ↑ "Text of the amendment proposing the change".
  20. ↑ "Statutes of the USK system" (PDF).
  21. ↑ "Icelandic Media Act (2006)".
  22. ↑ "Article detailing legal requirement to use PEGI in Israel".
  23. ↑ "Legislative text specifying PEGI as the labelling system for video games in Lithuania".
  24. ↑ "Penal code text specifying enforcement of sales restriction of certain media content to minors".
  25. ↑ "Government document outlining the role of PEGI in legal context" (PDF).
  26. ↑ "Swiss federal government announcement".
  27. ↑ "MCV: PEGI ratings come into force today".
  28. ↑ "BBC News: UK enforces PEGI video game ratings system".
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