Pan European Game Information (PEGI) is a European video game content rating system. It was developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) and came into use in April 2003. The PEGI system is used in 30 countries. It is not associated with the European Union. Participation is voluntary, at the discretion of the game developer. To obtain the ratings for any piece of software, the developer completes a questionnaire, which is then evaluated by the Netherlands Institute for the Classification of Audiovisual Media (NICAM) and ratings are given. It's based on the Dutch Kijkwijzer system as well. There are two parts to the classification for any piece of software — a suggested minimum age and also up to seven descriptions of content, such as the use of strong language, violence, etc. Most recently added was the Gambling icon.
Contents |
Age ratings
PEGI has five age categories. In Portugal, local legislation conflicts with some of the ratings and they are changed accordingly. Finland changed its legislation to fully adopt PEGI beginning January 1, 2007
| 3+ | 7+ | 12+ | 16+ | 18+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard |  |
 |
 |
 |
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| Portugal |  |
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PEGI is a voluntary system, although once in place it is illegal for persons under the age to purchase the game. In United Kingdom, if publishers of a game choose not to use the PEGI system it will be given a rating by the BBFC or in certain cases given no rating at all. However, it is not illegal for persons under the age to play the game, as it is a system of helping parents of children make informed decisions on buying the game. It is entirely the parent's choice whether to purchase a game for a minor.
Content descriptions
The seven content descriptors are:
| Icon | Content descriptor | Examples |
|---|---|---|
 |
Bad language | Grand Theft Auto series, The Warriors, Shadow the Hedgehog, Max Payne 2 and Killer 7. |
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Discrimination | Original War, Hitman: Blood Money. |
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Drugs | Deus Ex: Invisible War, The Warriors, NARC. |
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Fear | Survival horror games, such as Condemned: Criminal Origins, and Resident Evil, Silent Hill. |
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Sex, nudity, erotica, pornography | Singles: Flirt Up Your Life, Leisure Suit Larry, Playboy: The Mansion, BMX XXX, God of War, The Sopranos: Road to Respect. |
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Violence | First person shooters, such as Doom 3 and Resistance: Fall of Man and other games like Mortal Kombat and God of War. |
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Gambling | 42 All-Time Classics, God Hand, Street Hoops. |
The 'Gambling' content descriptor was first used on September 29, 2006 with the title 42 All-Time Classics.
Where PEGI is used
PEGI is used in 30 European nations.
| Country | Legally enforceable |
Local rating system |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 Austria |
Yes | Austria uses the PEGI system since January 2008[1] | |
 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 | USK rating is legally enforceable. PEGI labelling can be found on some games along with the USK rating.[2] |
 Hungary |
No | ||
 Iceland |
No | ||
 Ireland |
No | ||
 Italy |
No | ||
 Latvia |
No | ||
 Lithuania |
No | ||
 Luxembourg |
No | ||
 Malta |
No | ||
 Netherlands |
No | ||
 Norway |
No | ||
 Poland |
No | ||
 Portugal |
No | IGAC | |
 Romania |
No | ||
 Slovakia |
No | ||
 Slovenia |
No | ||
 Spain |
No | ||
 Sweden |
No | ||
 Switzerland |
No | ||
 United Kingdom |
No | BBFC | BBFC rating is legally enforceable and must be acquired for games with certain content. |
Comparisons
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The neutrality of this section is disputed. Please see the discussion on the . This section has been tagged since December 2007. |
PEGI does not have the same conception of violence as the ESRB:
- Ratchet: Deadlocked is classified 3+ by PEGI, but rated T by ESRB, Jak X has a 12+ rating for PEGI, but the reasons for the T rating are essentially the same.
- Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne is classified 12+ by PEGI and A by Japan's rating system, CERO. But the game was rated M by the ESRB.
- For racing games, such as Need for Speed: Most Wanted, there is a classification 3+ by PEGI, but it has been issued a T rating by the ESRB.
- For the FPS XIII PEGI rated the game 12+, but the ESRB rated the game M. The game was later re-rated a 16+ on re-releases.
- Final Fantasy XII is rated 16+ by PEGI, but is rated T by ESRB, the others were rated 12+ or 11+ by PEGI or ELPSA, but the reasons for the T rating in the US are the same
- Final Fantasy IX was rated 3+ by PEGI (A by CERO), but is rated T in the US
- Most superhero games, like Batman Begins, are classified 3+ by PEGI, but are rated T by ESRB
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is rated M by the ESRB while it is given an adults only 18+ rating by PEGI.
- Super Smash Bros. Melee is rated T by the ESRB whereas the PEGI gave it a 3+.
- The Sims 2 is rated 7+ by PEGI (7+ is equal to the E or E10 Rating of the ESRB) and the ESRB rated The Sims 2 T for Teen, which is equivalent to a 12+ rating of the PEGI. All other Sims 2 Expansions are rated 12+ in PEGI and T for teen in the ESRB.
- The Smackdown video game series, e.g. Smackdown Vs Raw 2007 is rated a T (13+) in the US but the PEGI rates it 16+.
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is rated e by ESRB, but is rated 7+ on the gamecube and 12+ on the Wii virtual console.
PEGI has also given different ratings than BBFC
- Manhunt 2, while being banned by BBFC, could have been sold uncut with an 18+ rating in certain PEGI countries if not for Take-Two's suspension.
- Family Guy Video Game!, whilst being rated an 18+ by PEGI, the BBFC rated it a 15+, similar to the dvd boxsets.
- Splinter Cell Double Agent was also rated 18+ by PEGI, whilst the BBFC rated it 15.
See also
- CERO, the Japanese computer and video game rating system
- ESRB, the United States and Canadian 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.
References
- ^ http://futurezone.orf.at/it/stories/235576/
- ^ Halo 2: Best of Classics. EB Games.de (2006). Retrieved on 2006-09-25.
