Swedish Games Industry

PEGI
Ratings of computergames

The Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) age rating system was established in 2003 to help European parents make informed decisions on buying interactive games. Designed to ensure that minors are not exposed to games that are unsuitable for their particular age group, the system is supported by the major console manufacturers, including PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo, as well as by publishers and developers of interactive games throughout Europe. The age rating system has been developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) and has the enthusiastic support of the European Commission, who considers the new system to be a model of European harmonization in the field of protection of children.

Started in the early spring of 2003, PEGI replaces existing national age rating systems with a single system that is identical throughout most of Europe. The game rating appears on the front and back cover of interactive games, and retailers provide information on the new system.

Age ratings explained

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The age rating system comprises two separate but complementary elements. The first is an age rating, similar to some existing rating systems. The PEGI age bands are 3, 7, 12, 16 and 18.

Contentrating

The second element of the new system is a number of game descriptors. These are icons, displayed on the back of the game box that describes the type of content to be found in the game. Depending on the type of game, there may be up to six such descriptors. The intensity of the content is appropriate to the age rating of the game.

For more information about PEGI please visit the PEGI homepage, were you can find out a certain game's age rating.

Read more about games and movies, Internet and TV at the Swedish Media Councils homepage - a commitee within the government. The Swedish Media Council works with media issues regarding children.

www.pegi.info
www.pegionline.eu
www.medieradet.se