PEGI introduces new age rating logos.
The PEGI age rating system was established to help European parents make informed decisions on buying computer games. It was launched in spring 2003 and replaced some national age rating systems with a single system now used throughout most of Europe.
A PEGI rating for each videogame consists of an age rating icon (3, 7, 12, 16 or 18) and one or more descriptors. The descriptors are small pictures which indicate the type of content in the game that may be of concern to parents and players.
The pictures are designed to represent Bad Language, Discrimination, Gambling, Drugs, Fear, Sex, Violence and Online Gameplay. The age rating and descriptors appear each time a game is sold either on packaging or prior to purchase when an online game is sold.
New ratings revealed
From 1 September, the current ratings of 3, 7, 12, 16 and 18 years appearing on videogames will be coloured from green through to orange and red. The descriptors are also going to be further clarified by the addition of text to explain the pictures. .
This should make the PEGI system even clearer, and as such make playing games even safer for the public.
For more information on the new ratings system visit www.pegi.info
Visit www.ps-playsafeonline.com for more information on safety and security in games.
