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As a parent myself, I sometimes struggle under the pressure of doing the best for my child. What should I do to make my child happy? As my children got older, they seemed to be dependent on technology for all of their entertainment. By this, I mean playing video games. As a parent, I tried to reduce the play time they had and would try my best to only buy suitable games. But it is difficult to monitor them away from the home, especially if they go to a friend's house. Eventually, I found that ended up buying a game that I did not really think suitable for my child because their friends were playing it. I did not really understand the regulation system and what the numbers and symbols on the box actually meant because of a lack of guidance, clarifying what the rules actually were. So, as a result, I ended up setting up this blog to try and help demystify gaming regulation, for all you other parents out there, who like me, have been left in the dark.
What is PEGI?
PEGI is the PAN European Game Information company which regulates games with symbols and numbers according to their suitability for a certain audience, to discourage people from buying a game that may not be suitable for them or someone else.
Launched in 2003, it has replaced a number of national age rating systems with a single system now used throughout most of Europe.
The system is supported by many of the different manufacturers including the giants, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo and other interactive publishers (game publishers and developers) throughout Europe: it is has become the standard for regulating games, and now is more influential and pertinent to today's gamers, than the previous BBFC regulation. However all video games intended for supply in Europe are submitted voluntarily for age rating using the PEGI system.
However, the age rating system was actually developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe, as a way of informing parents about the different games on the market and what content each game contains according to the age certificate given to the game.
For many years there was also a shared responsibility of the BBFC and PEGI to regulate games but it was found that the regulations differed and the BBFC would usually give a more lax regulation to a game. For these reasons it was thought that two regulations were impractical and it was decided that PEGI would become the sole regulator of games: it was found to be stricter and more precise to the content in the game and overall, gave a better rating. As of 2011, this motion was put in place and it is unlikely to change.
Launched in 2003, it has replaced a number of national age rating systems with a single system now used throughout most of Europe.
The system is supported by many of the different manufacturers including the giants, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo and other interactive publishers (game publishers and developers) throughout Europe: it is has become the standard for regulating games, and now is more influential and pertinent to today's gamers, than the previous BBFC regulation. However all video games intended for supply in Europe are submitted voluntarily for age rating using the PEGI system.
However, the age rating system was actually developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe, as a way of informing parents about the different games on the market and what content each game contains according to the age certificate given to the game.
For many years there was also a shared responsibility of the BBFC and PEGI to regulate games but it was found that the regulations differed and the BBFC would usually give a more lax regulation to a game. For these reasons it was thought that two regulations were impractical and it was decided that PEGI would become the sole regulator of games: it was found to be stricter and more precise to the content in the game and overall, gave a better rating. As of 2011, this motion was put in place and it is unlikely to change.
What are PEGI ratings?
Age ratings is a system that is used to make sure that entertainment content such as computer games are labelled with easy to understand ages according to the content they contain. Age ratings are aim to help the consumer decide whether they should buy the product(s) and for parents in particular, it helps to see whether the content is realistically age appropriate.
In the UK , 37% of the population between the ages of 16 and 49 are described as "Active Gamers". This simply means that they are playing games on handheld consoles, PC's or consoles. As we all know, younger children play games, and are often targeted by specific brands, and children especially are influenced by their siblings and their peers. It is vital that we understand what they should, and more importantly, what they shouldn't, be doing.
The rating on a game confirms that it is a suitable game for a person over that age. For example a game rated PEGI 7 is only suitable for a person aged 7 and over and likewise with the other age ratings.
In the UK , 37% of the population between the ages of 16 and 49 are described as "Active Gamers". This simply means that they are playing games on handheld consoles, PC's or consoles. As we all know, younger children play games, and are often targeted by specific brands, and children especially are influenced by their siblings and their peers. It is vital that we understand what they should, and more importantly, what they shouldn't, be doing.
The rating on a game confirms that it is a suitable game for a person over that age. For example a game rated PEGI 7 is only suitable for a person aged 7 and over and likewise with the other age ratings.
PEGI symbols and Labels?
1: Age rating
Age ratings are simply a figure that has been put on the front and the back of the box indicating the age the individual has to be to play the game. Legally, nobody should be able to buy a game that they do not look old enough to play. The rating is similar to that on a DVD box although the criteria is different. The person must be over or the same age on the box to legally play the game. The rating has been given to the game as to what content can be found in the game. The higher the age, the more violent or inappropriate the game, so following the age rating is important. The age symbols used provide you, as the purchaser of the game, with a sensible indication of the suitability of the game content.
The age rating is not a guideline on the skill level required to play the game but the type and amount of content that may be inappropriate for some audiences.
2: Symbol rating
On top of this, there is a symbol rating that is used by PEGI which can be seen on the back of the box: it explains why a game has received a particular rating. The symbols are small pictures that tell you what is in the game. Examples of the symbols include a spider icon, for fear, and a syringe icon, for drug/tobacco depiction or use. These are useful and tell the audience what can be expected in the game.
Perhaps one of the most important things to remember is: "A game is judged on its suitability for audience and not the level of difficulty or skill level required to play the game." (PEGI / 'What are the ratings')
Age ratings are simply a figure that has been put on the front and the back of the box indicating the age the individual has to be to play the game. Legally, nobody should be able to buy a game that they do not look old enough to play. The rating is similar to that on a DVD box although the criteria is different. The person must be over or the same age on the box to legally play the game. The rating has been given to the game as to what content can be found in the game. The higher the age, the more violent or inappropriate the game, so following the age rating is important. The age symbols used provide you, as the purchaser of the game, with a sensible indication of the suitability of the game content.
The age rating is not a guideline on the skill level required to play the game but the type and amount of content that may be inappropriate for some audiences.
2: Symbol rating
On top of this, there is a symbol rating that is used by PEGI which can be seen on the back of the box: it explains why a game has received a particular rating. The symbols are small pictures that tell you what is in the game. Examples of the symbols include a spider icon, for fear, and a syringe icon, for drug/tobacco depiction or use. These are useful and tell the audience what can be expected in the game.
Perhaps one of the most important things to remember is: "A game is judged on its suitability for audience and not the level of difficulty or skill level required to play the game." (PEGI / 'What are the ratings')