PEGI (Pan European Game Information)

PEGI is a company that legally enforces rules against games to ensure that they comply with the law and are suitable for certain groups.

PEGI Ratings

The first thing that PEGI enforces is the age group that the game is suitable for.

The first age group is PEGI 3, in a nutshell it means that its suitable for pretty much any age group (its unlikely anyone under 3 would even understand this symbol) meaning it contains absolutely no frightening sounds or images and absolutely no violence if not VERY mild, in fact, it should be cartoon based or childish. Don't even think about bad language as it should not even be implied to your audience.

PEGI 7 starts to get a bit more lenient, however don't take it for granted. You can start to include scenes or sounds of fright or threat to younger children but understand that anyone from the age of 7 and up could play this game. This means very mild forms of violence (non-realistic or implied) and as stated before, no bad language.

Now, in PEGI 12, anyone aged 12 or above are most likely to play this, in fact you can start to gesture a slightly more graphic nature towards fantasy or non-realistic violence, this includes towards human-like characters. You can imply sexual innuendo's and or love related scenes. However the actual act of intercourse is NOT allowed. MILD bad language can be used but again, somebody aged 12 could play the game. You can also include some form of gambling, similar to that of which would be carried out in casino's or gambling halls (card games etc.)

PEGI 16 allows for you to start using realistic violence and sexual activity. You can now also start to include more extreme bad language with the extra addition of illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco. However, the actual glamorization of these topics is NOT allowed and therefore should be portrayed in a negative fashion.

PEGI 18 is applicable to anyone over the age of 18 and therefore allows pretty much anything including all of the above. You can include as much bad language as you like, glamorize illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco. You may target commonly discriminated groups however it is recommended to get legal advice when doing so as it can come down to a heavy crime if problems occur.

PEGI Content Descriptors

PEGI also require content descriptors which tell them what your game includes specifically which link to make up what the overall PEGI rating is.

Bad Language - The game contains language which would not be suitable for a PEGI rating below 12. It must be used for games that contain language for PEGI 12 (mild), 16 (sexual expletives and/or blasphemy) and 18 (sexual expletives and/or blasphemy).

Discrimination - The game contains ethnics, religious, nationalistic or other stereotypical hatred. ALWAYS restricted to PEGI 18.

Drugs - The game contains/depicts the use of illegal drugs, alcohol or tobacco. ALWAYS on PEGI 16 or 18.

Fear - Found on PEGI 7 and up if containing pictures of sounds that might scare young children or horrific sounds or horror scenes not containing violence.

Gambling - The game contains the encouragement or teaching to gamble, this refers to games of chance. Found on games of PEGI 12, 16 or 18.

Sex - Applicable to PEGI 12 and up if the game contains any form of sexual innuendo or more. Nudity not related to sexual content does not require this descriptor.

Violence - Applicable to PEGI 7 and up. Even if the violence is childish or cartoon-y, this descriptor still MUST be used regardless of the type.

How will this research help me to create my final product?

PEGI is a must have in all games, this research gives me the knowledge to meet the industry regulations when creating any game in the future. This wont just help me with the current project, but also in future projects in order to design games that meet briefs.