Feature: PEGI Report

Posted 23 Apr 2003 at 23:26 by guest

Say Hello to PEGI

A lot of visitors to CE are probably aware of various rating systems such as the ELSPA rating. Today see's the launch of the Pan European Games Indicator (PEGI).

It is set to replace nearly every voluntary game rating in Europe the only country which has not signed on to PEGI is Germany. Most people probably thing that systems like PEGI are pointless as they have no legal basis, but without such systems Video Games would need legal ratings imagine having Zelda rated (12). Other problems would also be that games take longer to appear on the shelves.

So lets take a look at PEGI with this FAQ from www.pegi.info

What is PEGI ?

The Pan European Games Information (PEGI) age rating system is a new, pan-European age rating system for interactive games. Designed to ensure that minors are not exposed to games that are unsuitable for their particular age group, the system is supported by the major console manufacturers, including PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo, as well as by publishers and developers of interactive games throughout Europe. The age rating system has been developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) and has the enthusiastic support of the European Commission, who considers the new system to be a model of European harmonisation in the field of protection of children.

Starting in the early Spring of 2003, PEGI will replace existing national age rating systems with a single system that is identical throughout most of Europe. The game rating will appear on the front and back cover of interactive games, and retailers will provide information on the new system.
The age rating system comprises two separate but complementary elements. The first is an age rating, similar to some existing rating systems. The PEGI age bands are 3+, 7+, 12+, 16+, 18+.
The second element of the new system is a number of game descriptors. These are icons, displayed on the back of the game box that describe the type of content to be found in the game. Depending on the type of game, there may be a number of such descriptors. The intensity of the content is appropriate to the age rating of the game.

The combination of age rating and game descriptors will allow parents and those purchasing games for children to ensure that the game they purchase is appropriate to the age of the intended player.

Why was it felt necessary to replace existing national age ratings?

Computer and console gaming is now a mass-market leisure activity, with millions of players throughout Europe. In the last few years the age group of those playing games has increased, and the average age of gamers now exceeds 23 years. To cater for the older gamer, publishers have responded by developing games for this more mature market, many of whom are over 18 years old. The trend towards more mature games being available has not yet been identified by the average consumer who still believes that most games are made for young children, and may not be aware of the change when purchasing games for children.

To ensure that those children under the age of 18 continue to be protected, the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE), a trade body to which the majority of games related companies belong, undertook to create a single age rating system that could apply throughout Europe. As the majority of games sold throughout Europe are identical, other than for the language and packaging, and as Europe is now a single market for games, the logic of applying a single rating system was inescapable.

Who are the independent European bodies who oversee and administer the new system?

The PEGI system has been developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE), a pan-European trade body of games console manufacturers, and publishers and developers of interactive games. The ISFE developed the system in conjunction with national trade bodies and European institutions, and built upon existing national systems. A wide range of academics, consumers and other stakeholder groups have been involved in the development of the system.

ISFE has entered into a contract with the Netherlands Institute for the Classification of Audio-visual Media (NICAM) for the administration of the PEGI scheme. This long established and highly regarded institute has many years of experience in rating audio visual material and has provided advice during the development of the PEGI scheme.

In the UK, the Video Standards Council (VSC) will act as the agent of NICAM.
In all instances, the voluntary PEGI system is subordinate to the pre-existing, wider framework set up, run and enforced by governments to ensure the protection of minors. As a consequence, the PEGI system is subordinate to all existing and future laws and regulations in this area.

How are games rated using the new PEGI system?

PEGI uses a combination of online submission and game viewing to determine the appropriate PEGI rating for each game. Initially, the publisher of a game will complete an online form that is sent to NICAM.

The completed form is then reviewed by NICAM and, provided that the provisional rating is 3+ or 7+ and there are no logical errors, NICAM will grant the right to affix the age rating logo. Experience suggests that the chances of lower age group games being incorrectly rated are negligible, hence the reliance on publisher submissions.

If the proposed rating is 12+, 16+ or 18+ however, NICAM will view the game to confirm that the proposed rating is correct. As some games can take several weeks to fully complete, the publisher will highlight in their submission those areas of the game that may affect the rating proposed. It is these areas that NICAM will view to determine the correct age rating.
The addition of game descriptors to the game packaging is at the discretion of the publisher and is not mandated by NICAM.

The age rating scheme will be subject to minor variations in Portugal and Finland, and the PEGI system will not operate at all in Germany due to the presence of a legally mandated age rating system.

What safeguards are in place to ensure that the system is not abused?

An integral part of NICAM is the independent Complaints Board which will hear disputes between publishers and NICAM, as well as investigate complaints about ratings made by members of the public. The complaints board will include experts in child protection, child psychology, and, more generally, representatives of a wide cross-section of society, including religious groups, parents' unions, teachers' associations, etc. The decision of the Complaints Board on an age rating is final, and the independent composition of the Board will ensure fair and consistent decision making.
Complaints about rating issues can be made through this website, which contains detailed information on how to submit a complaint, and the timescales for addressing the complaint. If, as a result of a complaint, the Complaints Board finds that a game requires a higher age rating than has been previously granted, the game will immediately be withdrawn from sale until the game packaging can be reprinted with the correct age rating. This is a significant cost to a publisher and will ensure that publishers err on the side of caution when rating a game.

What is the scope of the PEGI System?

The PEGI system is one of the most robust in Europe and, in terms of rating criteria, is the strictest. It is in the interests of all parties that games are rated accurately and the procedures for rating individual games have been developed using the experience of many successful national systems.
An integral part of NICAM is the independent Complaints Board which will hear disputes between publishers and NICAM, as well as investigate complaints about ratings made by members of the public. The complaints board will include experts in child protection, child psychology, and, more generally, representatives of a wide cross-section of society, including religious groups, parents' unions, teachers' associations, etc. The decision of the Complaints Board on an age rating is final, and the independent composition of the Board will ensure fair and consistent decision making.

Complaints about rating issues can be made through this website, which contains detailed information on how to submit a complaint, and the timescales for addressing the complaint. If, as a result of a complaint, the Complaints Board finds that a game requires a higher age rating than has been previously granted, the game will immediately be withdrawn from sale until the game packaging can be reprinted with the correct age rating. This is a significant cost to a publisher and will ensure that publishers err on the side of caution when rating a game.

What is the scope of the PEGI System?

The PEGI system is a voluntary Code of Conduct that applies to those members of ISFE who are signatories to the Code of Conduct. This ensures that most of the interactive games market is covered. Publishers of PC games, who are not already members of ISFE will be invited and encouraged to join the scheme, and it is anticipated that market pressure will result in the majority of non ISFE members adopting the scheme. ISFE and NICAM will pro-actively encourage the widest possible take-up of the PEGI system.

In addition to games purchased through conventional retail channels, the PEGI ratings will also apply to games sold through the Internet, played or downloaded within an online gaming environment, or provided on magazine cover discs.

What Logos does the PEGI System use ?

Discrimination
Game contains depictions of, or material which may encourage, discrimination
Drugs
Game refers to or depicts the use of drugs
Fear
Game may be frightening or scary for young children
Bad Language
Game contains bad language
Sex
Game depicts nudity and/or sexual behaviour or sexual references
Violence
Game contains depictions of violence