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[[Image:Pegilogo.jpg|right|thumb|PEGI's logo]]'''Pan European Game Information''', or more commonly '''PEGI''', is a [[Europe]]an system for rating the content of [[computer and video game]]s, and other entertainment software. It was developed by the [[Interactive Software Federation of Europe]] (ISFE) and came into use in [[April 2003]].  The PEGI system is used in 25 countries. It is not associated with the [[European Union]].
'''Pan European Game Information''', or more commonly '''PEGI''', is a European system for rating the content of computer and video games, and other entertainment software. It was developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) and came into use in April 2003.  The PEGI system is used in 25 countries.


Participation is voluntary, at the discretion of the [[game developer]]. To obtain the ratings for any piece of software, the developer completes a questionnaire, which is then evaluated by the [[Netherlands Institute for the Classification of Audiovisual Media]] (NICAM) and ratings are given. It's based on the Dutch Kijkwijzer system too.
Participation is voluntary, at the discretion of the game developer. To obtain the ratings for any piece of software, the developer completes a questionnaire, which is then evaluated by the Netherlands Institute for the Classification of Audiovisual Media (NICAM) and ratings are given. It's based on the Dutch Kijkwijzer system too.


There are two parts to the classification for any piece of software — a suggested minimum age and also up to seven descriptions of content, such as the use of strong language, violence, etc. Most recently added was the Gambling icon.
There are two parts to the classification for any piece of software — a suggested minimum age and also up to seven descriptions of content, such as the use of strong language, violence, etc. Most recently added was the Gambling icon.


==Age ratings==
==Age ratings==
PEGI has five age categories. In [[Finland]] and [[Portugal]], local [[legislation]] conflicts with some of the ratings and they are changed accordingly.  
PEGI has five age categories. In Finland and Portugal, local legislation conflicts with some of the ratings and they are changed accordingly.  
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| [[Image:PEGI_Gambling.gif]]
| [[Image:PEGI_Gambling.gif]]
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The 'Gambling' content descriptor was first used on [[September 29]], [[2006]] with the title [[42 All-Time Classics]].


===Examples===
===Examples===
* Language - ''[[Grand Theft Auto (series)|Grand Theft Auto]]'' series or ''[[The Warriors (video game)|The Warriors]]''
* Language - ''[[:Category:Grand Theft Auto|Grand Theft Auto]]'' series or ''[[The Warriors]]''
* Discrimination - ''[[Original War]]''
* Discrimination - ''[[Original War]]''
* Drugs - ''[[Deus Ex: Invisible War]]''
* Drugs - ''[[Deus Ex: Invisible War]]''
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PEGI is used in 25 European nations (albeit with zero legal effect). They are:
PEGI is used in 25 European nations (albeit with zero legal effect). They are:


* [[Austria]]
* Austria
* [[Belgium]]
* Belgium
* [[Czech Republic]]
* Czech Republic
* [[Denmark]]
* Denmark
* [[Estonia]]
* Estonia
* [[Finland]] (also has a local rating system which is given by [[Valtion elokuvatarkastamo|VET/SFB]] instead if PEGI rating is missing)
* Finland (also has a local rating system which is given by [[Valtion elokuvatarkastamo|VET/SFB]] instead if PEGI rating is missing)
* [[France]]
* France
* [[Greece]]
* Greece
* [[Germany]] (Only used on some games with the [[USK]] rating too. An example of a game that used both the PEGI and USK rating is [[Halo 2]]<ref>{{cite web| title=Halo 2: Best of Classics | publisher=[[EB Games]].de| accessdate=2006-09-25 |date=[[2006]] | url=http://www.ebgames.de/product_info.php?products_id=5301}}</ref>)
* Germany (Only used on some games with the [[USK]] rating too. An example of a game that used both the PEGI and USK rating is [[Halo 2]]
* [[Hungary]]
* Hungary
* [[Iceland]]
* Iceland
* [[Republic of Ireland]]
* Republic of Ireland
* [[Italy]]
* Italy
* [[Latvia]]
* Latvia
* [[Lithuania]]
* Lithuania
* [[Luxembourg]]
* Luxembourg
* [[Netherlands]]
* Netherlands
* [[Norway]]
* Norway
* [[Poland]]
* Poland
* [[Portugal]]
* Portugal
* [[Slovakia]]
* Slovakia
* [[Slovenia]]
* Slovenia
* [[Spain]]
* Spain
* [[Sweden]]
* Sweden
* [[Switzerland]]
* Switzerland
* [[United Kingdom]] (if a game contains certain material, [[British Board of Film Classification|BBFC]] rating is used instead)
* United Kingdom (if a game contains certain material, British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) rating is used instead)


==Criticism==
==Criticism==
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*For the racing games, like [[Need For Speed: Most Wanted]], there is a classification 3+ by PEGI, but it has a T rating by ESRB. The vast majority of racing games with violence are classified 3+ by PEGI.
*For the racing games, like [[Need For Speed: Most Wanted]], there is a classification 3+ by PEGI, but it has a T rating by ESRB. The vast majority of racing games with violence are classified 3+ by PEGI.
*The [[Grand Theft Auto series]] have a 18+ rating, but they only have the "Violence" icon. But according with ESRB, we have also references with drugs, bad language, and a little bit of discrimination (and sexual content for the modded version of [[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]).
*The [[Grand Theft Auto series]] have a 18+ rating, but they only have the "Violence" icon. But according with ESRB, we have also references with drugs, bad language, and a little bit of discrimination (and sexual content for the modded version of [[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]).
==See also==
*[[Computer Entertainment Rating Organization|CERO]], the [[Japan|Japanese]] computer and video game rating system
*[[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]], the [[United States]] and [[Canada|Canadian]] computer and video game rating system
*[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association|ELSPA]], the former [[United Kingdom|British]] computer and video game rating system, replaced by the PEGI ratings.
*[[Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle|USK]], the [[Germany|German]] computer and video game rating system
*[[Office of Film and Literature Classification (Australia)|OFLC]], the [[Australia|Australian]] media rating system
*[[Office of Film and Literature Classification (New Zealand)|OFLC]], the [[New Zealand]] media rating system.


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.pegi.info PEGI Official Homempage]
* [http://www.pegi.info PEGI Official Homepage]
 
==References==
<references/>
 
[[Category:Computer and video game content ratings systems]]


[[ca:PEGI]]
[[Category:Miscellaneous]]
[[de:Pan-European Game Information]]
[[es:PEGI]]
[[fr:Pan European Game Information]]
[[nl:Pan European Game Information]]
[[ja:Pan European Game Information]]
[[pl:Pan European Game Information]]
[[pt:PEGI]]
[[ru:Pan European Game Information]]
[[fi:PEGI]]
[[sv:Pan European Game Information]]
[[zh:PEGI]]

Revision as of 17:05, 19 October 2006

Pan European Game Information, or more commonly PEGI, is a European system for rating the content of computer and video games, and other entertainment software. It was developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) and came into use in April 2003. The PEGI system is used in 25 countries.

Participation is voluntary, at the discretion of the game developer. To obtain the ratings for any piece of software, the developer completes a questionnaire, which is then evaluated by the Netherlands Institute for the Classification of Audiovisual Media (NICAM) and ratings are given. It's based on the Dutch Kijkwijzer system too.

There are two parts to the classification for any piece of software — a suggested minimum age and also up to seven descriptions of content, such as the use of strong language, violence, etc. Most recently added was the Gambling icon.

Age ratings

PEGI has five age categories. In Finland and Portugal, local legislation conflicts with some of the ratings and they are changed accordingly.

Region 3+ 7+ 12+ 16+ 18+
Standard File:PEGI 3.png File:PEGI 7.png File:PEGI 12.png File:PEGI 16.png File:PEGI 18.png
Finland File:PEGI 3.png File:PEGI 7.png File:PEGI 11.png File:PEGI 15.png File:PEGI 18.png
Portugal File:PEGI 4.png File:PEGI 6.png File:PEGI 12.png File:PEGI 16.png File:PEGI 18.png

Content descriptions

The seven content descriptors are:

Language Discrimination Drugs Fear Sexual Content Violence Gambling
File:PEGI Language.gif File:PEGI Discrimination.gif File:PEGI Drugs.gif File:PEGI Fear.gif File:PEGI SexualContent.gif File:PEGI Violence.gif File:PEGI Gambling.gif

Examples

Where PEGI is used

PEGI is used in 25 European nations (albeit with zero legal effect). They are:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland (also has a local rating system which is given by VET/SFB instead if PEGI rating is missing)
  • France
  • Greece
  • Germany (Only used on some games with the USK rating too. An example of a game that used both the PEGI and USK rating is Halo 2
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Republic of Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom (if a game contains certain material, British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) rating is used instead)

Criticism

The PEGI doesn't have the same conception of violence with ESRB. Two examples classified T by ESRB for the same reason (Violence) :

  • Battlefield 2142 is classified 16+ by PEGI, but classified T by ESRB (because the weapons are real and the enemies are humans)
  • Ratchet: Deadlocked is classified 3+ by PEGI, but rated T by ESRB (because the weapons are unreal and the enemies are robotics or imaginary creatures), Jak X has a 12+ rating for PEGI, but the reasons for the T rating are sensibly the same.
  • For the racing games, like Need For Speed: Most Wanted, there is a classification 3+ by PEGI, but it has a T rating by ESRB. The vast majority of racing games with violence are classified 3+ by PEGI.
  • The Grand Theft Auto series have a 18+ rating, but they only have the "Violence" icon. But according with ESRB, we have also references with drugs, bad language, and a little bit of discrimination (and sexual content for the modded version of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas).

External links