Pan European Game Information
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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 |
[edit] 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.
| Country | 3+ | 7+ | 12+ | 16+ | 18+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard |  |
 |
 |
 |
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| Portugal |  |
 |
|
|
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PEGI is a voluntary system. In the 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.
[edit] Content descriptions
The seven content descriptors are:
| Icon | Content descriptor | Examples |
|---|---|---|
 |
Bad language | Grand Theft Auto series, The Warriors, and Killer 7. |
 |
Discrimination | Grand Theft Auto series, Original War, Hitman: Blood Money. |
 |
Drugs | Grand Theft Auto series, 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. |
 |
Sex | Grand Theft Auto series, Singles: Flirt Up Your Life, Leisure Suit Larry, Playboy: The Mansion, BMX XXX, God of War, The Sopranos: Road to Respect. |
 |
Violence | Grand Theft Auto series, First person shooters, such as Doom 3 and Resistance: Fall of Man and other games like Max Payne 2, Mortal Kombat, God of War , The Club , and Counter-Strike: Source |
 |
Gambling | Grand Theft Auto series, 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.
[edit] Where PEGI is used
PEGI is used in 32 European nations, and South Africa.
| Country | Legally enforceable |
Local rating system |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 Austria |
Yes | Austria uses the PEGI system since January 2008[1] | |
.svg/22px-Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg.png){kind=small} 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 | ||
 South Africa |
Yes | ||
 Italy |
No | ||
 Latvia |
No | ||
 Lithuania |
No | ||
 Luxembourg |
No | ||
 Malta |
No | ||
 Netherlands |
No | ||
 Norway |
No | ||
 Poland |
Yes | ||
 Portugal |
No | IGAC | |
 Romania |
No | ||
 Slovakia |
No | ||
 Slovenia |
No | ||
 Spain |
No | ||
 Sweden |
Yes | ||
 Switzerland |
No | ||
 United Kingdom |
No | BBFC | BBFC rating is legally enforceable and must be acquired for games with certain content. Although PEGI ratings were used until the enforcement of BBFC into video games in the United Kingdom. |
[edit] 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.
[edit] References
- ^ Wien: Games nur noch mit Altersnachweis - futurezone.ORF.at
- ^ Halo 2: Best of Classics. EB Games.de (2006). Retrieved on 2006-09-25.
