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by
Matt Martin
The PEGI ratings system is to become the sole standard form of classification for videogames in the UK, the Government has announced.
The Video Standards Council will oversee the system independent of the games industry, and will implement the PEGI system for all titles released in the region.
Selling a videogame rated 12 or over to a minor will now be illegal.
"Protecting children and giving parents a clear and robust new system has always been our starting point. The new system of classification follows the essential criteria set out by Professor Tanya Byron, who recommended a trustworthy, uniform and clear set of symbols that is flexible and future proof," commented Creative Industries Minister Siôn Simon.
"We will now work with PEGI and the VSC to agree exactly what the new symbols will look like and how they will work in the UK market, to ensure they provide the clarity and safeguards that are needed."
The BBFC will no longer be involved in the classification of games, but will remain in place for linear content such as DVD and Blu-ray releases.
"The UK already has a robust system of classification for films and DVDs run by the BBFC. The new system of games classification will match those high standards as this important market continues to evolve," added Simon.
Lord Carter addressed the House of Commons this afternoon, revealing that - as part of the Digital Britain review - the videogames industry in the UK is set to receive a new age ratings system, "building on" the PEGI system.
"We will implement a new, more robust system of content classification for the videogames industry, building on PEGI system with a strong UK-based statutory layer of regulation, ensuring the protection of children now, and in the future," he said in his introductory statement.
More to follow.
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Poster
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infoxicated
16/06/09 @ 15:01
+2
Can't wait to see what wacky symbols they come up with for parents to be ignorant of, this time! :o)
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ziggymon_g
16/06/09 @ 15:01
+2
this is worrying at the fact that while working at various retailers, hardly any parents even noticed the PEGI ratings system. To get the public on track with knowing the PEGI system after the BBFC has been in place for so long will be a difficult effort.
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+1
Nice, I prefer the PEGI system. Indeed, the very few times I've seen parents pay attention to ratings, it's those ones they look at. Though as far as I understand it, he PEGI system is more about self-certification, so a more developed version of that would be ideal.
It gives a more specific breakdown of the content at least, though a couple of the symbols were a bit obscure. I'm curiosu to see how this develops. |
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Triggerhappytel
16/06/09 @ 15:07
0
They're going to need to make this really clear to parents and the naive, because no-one here really notices the PEGI ratings system - they look for the red of BBFC 15 or 18, and if they're not there, no-one takes any notice.
I can see difficulty in adapting to this for a good year or two. "Selling a videogame rated 12 or over to a minor will now be illegal." But isn't a minor someone under 18?!
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 16/06/09 @ 16:08
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Britesparc
16/06/09 @ 15:24
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Whilst I agree that parents recognise BBFC logos but not PEGI ones, I guess it's best that PEGI - the industry body - got the nod, as they are best placed to respond to changes in the industry, and reflect the content more accurately.
It's good that they're not legally enforcable, too; although, on the downside, I make a little entertainment news package at work, aimed at kids, and I've often included 12+ games in the past, as under 12s (our target audience) could still buy them. I suppose now either my guidelines or the games I feature will have to change! Still, it's probably for the best. |
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el_pollo_diablo
16/06/09 @ 15:31
0
Am I the only person that thinks the BBFC PG/12/15/18 rating system is far clearer and therefore better than the PEGI system?
edit: had I bothered reading more of the comments I can see that I'm not the only one. Phew, eh?
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 16/06/09 @ 16:33
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GundamJehutyKai
16/06/09 @ 15:33
+1
I fail to see how this is going to make any impact on the sale of inappropriate games to minors. The problem isn't retailers selling games to minors, it's dumb parents buying said games specifically for the minors!!!
If they can't take the big ass Rated 18 symbol on the game box as a hint, they sure as hell won't even look at the PEGI symbols!! Well, I guess they just want to *look* like they're trying to do something |
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kinky_mong
16/06/09 @ 15:36
0
"The new system of classification follows the essential criteria set out by Professor Tanya Byron, who recommended a trustworthy, uniform and clear set of symbols that is flexible and future proof"
And in the same report she states that most parents don't recognise the PEGI classifcation, but the BBFC system is instantly recognisable. So which one do they go for? [/facepalm] |
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0
It's pretty ridiculous that parents in the UK didn't understand the PEGI emblems to begin with. The rest of the EU, except Germany, seemingly has no problem. Furthermore, what the hell is up with parents being able to understand a red emblem with an 18 on it but not a black and white emblem with an 18+ rating present on the box. Stuff like that has led to articles such as this one.
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Dead_Man_Typing
16/06/09 @ 15:48
0
I've always prefered the BBFC.
From my experience, customers who look at the PEGI rating think that it's a recommended age for skill and not for content, because it starts at 3+. When they see the BBFC 18, they know exactly what it means, and if the parents choose to ignore it then they are taking that responsibility. Having the same system for games and movies makes a lot of sense, moving to the crazy PEGI symbol system is a huge step backwards, in my opinion. I am also aware of several instances where PEGI has given games entirely wrong ratings that contradict their previous works. XIII being rated 12+ is the most blatant example of a PEGI screw up I'm aware of. It's a pretty violent game with blood and bad language, but it looks like a cartoon so it must be okay for kids to play. I don't trust PEGI, I do trust the BBFC. |
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+1
Dr Byron's report was obviously flawed. They should get Dr Alice Roberts to do another report. She's the world's greatest anthropologist ever, so ideally suited. I can volunteer if she needs a test subject to experiment on.
Seriously, big numbers slapped on the front of the box - you can't make it any cleared! |
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+1
The UK made the right choice. Only Germany has to follow now. Sadly, the ignorance of German politicians is overwhelming and the concept is therefore unlikely to manifest itself.
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@BigJonno: The rule about the BBFC split was that if you as a developer or publisher thought you had too much sex or violence in your game, you made a judgement call to send your game to the BBFC. By and large most people consider "too much" to be within the 18 rating, but as it's a judgement call, a few games weren't as bad as the dev/pub thought and got 15s and even 12s.
In the other direction, there have been titles given a PEGI rating of 16+ in the UK marketplace for some time. |
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@ Dead_Man_Typing
Like I was saying, people who cannot successfully comprehend what the PEGI age ratings mean should read this article and ponder whether they are mentally incompetent. |
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AphoticCosmos
16/06/09 @ 16:15
+1
They need to redesign the stupid monochrome PEGI symbols, they really don't stand out at all. Other than that I agree that the more specific ratings of PEGI are better for games, but seriously - drop the current logos and create new, colour-coded ones - bright red for 18+ and greens and blues for 3+, 7+ etc.
Edited 2 times,
most recently on 16/06/09 @ 17:18
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autogunner
16/06/09 @ 16:34
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its the best possible system we can hope for, would you prefer the government to brand parents buying games for their preteens illegal? This way it is at least inforcable by law AND gives a certain amout of free will for the parent to make their own decision.
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IneptPercy
16/06/09 @ 16:36
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I have to disagree with it will never be seen as a true rating.
Yes we all know what the BBFC ones mean because they have been around for a long time, but ti won't take long for people to get to know the PEGI ratings, before long people will forget how it use to be. It was an 18 before and now its an 18+ if people can't make the link then they have bigger issues than what game to play. |
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reelbigkris
16/06/09 @ 17:30
0
PEGI ratings have been supported by the mainstream retail chains (gamestation/game) for a while. PEGI ratings can have the ability to mess up the system. for example, the 12+ PEGI and BBFC rating becomes a particular problem as the only real form of I.D they can carry is a passport. Once you begin to make the 7+ PEGI ratings obey a legal requirement, it becomes a major problem.
From the view of a staff member, i do not want to sell a 7+ game to any kid unless they look about ten years old to protect my back! That is how its going to be and i am going to get more abusive parents demanding me to answer why i can not sell their child a game that they are apparently old enough to have. The rating systems were fine as they are, the only plus i can gather from the PEGI system is that there will be more information on the actual content which can help parents understand what they are buying. I apologize for the rant...
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 16/06/09 @ 18:31
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RobotRocker
16/06/09 @ 17:44
+1
Seems a bit strange since the BBFC were expanding their own section and seemed to know what they were doing technology wise. Depends on PEGI too since even with self regulation.These industries can become very self serving and carry agendas like the MPAA in the US and the BBFC, while also self regulated, had to answer to the government a lot as well. Since PEGI is Pan-European, will we be subjected to agendas that other countries influence like religious and sexual agendas?
Not convinced at all really. The BBFC were doing a decent job and PEGI sounds too shaddy and too politicised by the industry. Time will tell though |
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Vertical Stand
16/06/09 @ 17:49
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@RobotRocker probably because the BBFC needed the industry to point out sections to look at otherwise would never be able to check every game on its own so might as well let the industry do it themselves with PEGI.
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 16/06/09 @ 18:49
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20charactersmax
16/06/09 @ 18:26
+1
The new rating labels are similar, but coloured.
http://www.pegi.info/en/index/id/33 |
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callum9999
16/06/09 @ 18:29
+1
How on earth can people not understand the PEGI system? The big number in a box = minimum age, the picture of needles = drugs, the picture of a punch = violence. How could that confuse anyone - I didn't even need to look them up, it goes without saying!
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+1
How on earth can people not understand the PEGI system? The big number in a box = minimum age, the picture of needles = drugs, the picture of a punch = violence. How could that confuse anyone - I didn't even need to look them up, it goes without saying!
Dr. Julius Hibbert: Homer, I'm afraid you'll have to undergo a coronary bypass operation. Homer Simpson: Say it in English, Doc! Dr. Julius Hibbert: You're going to need open-heart surgery. Homer Simpson: Spare me your medical mumbo jumbo! Dr. Julius Hibbert: We're going to cut you open and tinker with your ticker. Homer Simpson: Could you dumb it down a shade? |
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-1
@ callum9999
I ask myself that very same question every time the subject comes up. Still, people aren't afraid to use this argument against utilising the PEGI as industry standard. This article depicts the absurdity of it all quite well. |
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ObiChrisKenobi
16/06/09 @ 20:27
+1
GAME have been treating PEGI ratings as law for the last few years now, much to the dismay of many 12 year olds across the world... well... the UK.
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makeamazing
16/06/09 @ 21:10
-2
Pegi was just an indication for parents (not that parents looked at it )...and not legal. BBFC was a legal certification.
My ten year old tells me most of his class mates have played GTA4, and that kinda shows how bad parents have been on the usage front... Now Pegi.... sorry but Pegi is rubbish, at least BBFC had a pretty strict set of rules to follow on why they gave ratings to films and games... can anyone tell me why Terminator has a Pegi rating is a 16+... seriously the only violence is fantasy (your shooting robots), there is one swear word... and you dont see any death sequences at all... Now anyone seen the movie... which is a 12A...anyone under 12 can see with a parent... this is one of the reasons why this is a sad day for ratings! Pegi do not have a clue. |
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