Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association

The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) is an organisation set up in 1989 by British software publishers. It was known as The European Leisure Software Publishers Association until 2002.

Between 1994 and Spring 2003 ELSPA voluntarily rated computer games released in Britain that were exempt from legal classification by the BBFC. The ratings given were originally 3-10, 11-14, 15-17 and 18+. "X"s would highlight which age group a title was not suitable for, while a tick in the categories above that would indicate the suitable ages. For example: A title suitable for all ages would have all the categories checked. A title suitable only for adults would have "X"s in all categories except for 18+. A title suitable for ages 11 and older would have an "X" in 3-10 and ticks in the rest. The ratings were later simplified to a 3+, 11+, 15+ or 18+ as appropriate. This has now been replaced by a European ratings system, called PEGI.

ELSPA are responsible for providing sales charts for computer games sold in the United Kingdom, and promoting anti-piracy initiatives.

External link

 * ELSPA