PEGI
Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:More citations needed Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox organization PEGI (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell), short for Pan-European Game Information,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> is a European video game content rating system established to help European consumers make informed decisions when buying video games or apps through the use of age recommendations and content descriptors. It was developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) and came into use in April 2003, replacing many national age rating systems with a single European system.
The PEGI system is now used in 38 countries and is based on a code of conduct, a set of rules to which every publisher using the PEGI system is contractually committed. PEGI self-regulation is composed by five age categories and nine content descriptors that advise the suitability of a game for a certain age range based on the game's content. The age rating is not intended to indicate the difficulty of the game or the skill required to play it.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Age ratings
PEGI has six age categories.
| Rating | Description |
|---|---|
| File:PEGI 3.svg | The content of games with a PEGI 3 rating is considered suitable for all age groups. The game should not contain any sounds or pictures that are likely to frighten young children. A very mild form of violence (in a comical context or a childlike setting) is acceptable. No bad language should be heard.<ref name=":0" /> |
| File:PEGI 7.svg | Game content with scenes or sounds that can possibly be frightening to younger children should fall in this category. Very mild forms of violence (implied, non-detailed, or non-realistic violence) are acceptable for a game with a PEGI 7 rating.<ref name=":0" /> |
| File:PEGI 12.svg | Video games that show violence of a slightly more graphic nature towards fantasy characters or non-realistic violence towards human-like characters would fall in this age category. Sexual innuendo or sexual posturing can be present, while any bad language in this category must be mild.<ref name=":0" /> |
| File:PEGI 16.svg | This rating is applied once the depiction of violence (or sexual activity) reaches a stage that looks the same as would be expected in real life. The use of bad language in games with a PEGI 16 rating can be more extreme, while the use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs can also be present.<ref name=":0" /> |
| File:PEGI 18.svg | The 18 rating, which indicates content suitable only for adults, is applied when the level of violence reaches a stage where it becomes a depiction of gross violence, apparently motiveless killing, or violence towards defenceless characters. The glamorisation of the use of illegal drugs, explicit sexual activity, and gambling should also fall into this age category.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| File:PEGI PARENTAL.svg | In addition to age ratings, there is a special rating represented by an exclamation point labeled "Parental Guidance Recommended". These contents are available for all ages, but it is recommended that parents (mostly with children who are under the age of 18) supervise activities within the program. |
Content descriptions
In addition to the above ratings, PEGI also uses nine content descriptors:
Current
| Icon | Content descriptor | Active since | Explanation | Corresponding age ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:PEGI Bad Language annotated.svg | Bad Language | 2003 | The game contains bad language. This descriptor can be found on games with a PEGI 12 (mild swearing), PEGI 16 or PEGI 18 rating (e.g. sexual expletives or blasphemy). | PEGI 12 PEGI 16 PEGI 18 |
| File:PEGI Discrimination annotated.svg | Discrimination | 2003 | The game contains depictions of ethnic, religious, nationalistic or other stereotypes deemed likely to encourage hatred. This content is always restricted to a PEGI 18 rating (and may infringe national criminal laws). As of Template:Currentyear, only five titles have this descriptor: two expansions for Postal 2 – Share the Pain (2004) and Apocalypse Weekend (classified 2005); Original War (classified 2004); Patriots: A Nation Under Fire (2006); and SWAT: Target Liberty (2007, the only PSP title to do that).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | PEGI 18 |
| File:PEGI Drugs annotated.svg | Drugs | 2003 | The game refers to or depicts the use of illegal drugs, narcotics, alcohol or tobacco. Games with this content descriptor are rated either PEGI 16 or PEGI 18. | PEGI 16 PEGI 18 |
| File:PEGI Fear annotated.svg | Fear/Horror | 2003 | The Fear descriptor may appear on games with a PEGI 7 if they contain pictures or sounds that may be frightening or scary to young children. The Horror descriptor may appear on PEGI 12, PEGI 16, or PEGI 18 games with horror sound effects or images, but not necessarily any violent content. Although PEGI's official website states that only games rated PEGI 7 may carry the Fear descriptor as of 2024,<ref name=":0" /> it also lists three titles previously rated PEGI 12 – Road to India (classified 2007), Ultima VII Complete (classified 2013) and the hidden object game collection Grim Tales: Template:Lang (2017)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> – as well as the PEGI 16 title ABE VR (2016)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> as displaying the Fear descriptor instead of Horror. | Fear: PEGI 7 Horror: PEGI 12 PEGI 16 PEGI 18 |
| File:PEGI Gambling annotated.svg | Gambling | 2003 | The game contains elements that encourage or teach gambling. These simulations of gambling refer to games of chance that are normally carried out in casinos or gambling halls. Games with this sort of content could previously be classified at PEGI 12 or PEGI 16.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As of 2020, all new games with such content, whether or not real-life currency is directly involved, are rated PEGI 18, although older games retain their existing classifications.<ref name=":0" /> | PEGI 18 Former: PEGI 12 PEGI 16 |
| File:PEGI Sex annotated.svg | Sex | 2003 | This content descriptor can accompany a PEGI 12 rating if the game includes sexual posturing or innuendo, a PEGI 16 rating if there is erotic nudity or sexual intercourse without visible genitals, or a PEGI 18 rating if there is explicit sexual activity in the game. Depictions of nudity in a non-sexual context do not require a specific age rating, and this descriptor would not be necessary. | PEGI 12 PEGI 16 PEGI 18 |
| File:PEGI Violence annotated.svg | Violence | 2003 | The game contains depictions of violence. In games rated PEGI 7 this can only be non-realistic or non-detailed violence. Games rated PEGI 12 can include violence in a fantasy environment or non-realistic violence towards human-like characters, whereas games rated PEGI 16 or 18 have increasingly more realistic-looking violence. | PEGI 7 PEGI 12 PEGI 16 PEGI 18 |
| PEGI Online | Online | 2003 | May contain online interactions. | PEGI 3 PEGI 7 PEGI 12 PEGI 16 PEGI 18 |
| File:PEGI In-Game Purchases annotated.svg | In-Game Purchases | 2018<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | The game presents players with the options to purchase digital goods or services with real-world currency. These purchases include but are not limited to bonus levels, skins, surprise items, music, virtual coins and other forms of in-game currency, subscriptions, season passes and upgrades (e.g. to disable ads).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This descriptor may be accompanied by an additional notice that the game includes random items such as loot boxes.<ref name=":0" /> | PEGI 3 PEGI 7 PEGI 12 PEGI 16 PEGI 18 |
Former
| Portugal | Finland |
|---|---|
| 2003–2021 | 2003–2007 |
| File:PEGI 4.svg | File:PEGI 11.svg |
| File:PEGI 6.svg | File:PEGI 15.svg |
In Portugal, the PEGI 3 and 7 categories were originally aligned with the age ratings of the film classification system – 4 and 6, respectively – to avoid confusion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Finland also used a modified scale, where the PEGI 12 and 16 categories became 11 and 15, respectively.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Finland fully adopted PEGI on 1 January 2007, while Portugal fully adopted it on 14 January 2021, and the standard ratings were fully enforced as well in both countries at the respective dates.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="pegi_pt">Template:Cite web</ref>
Rating process
To obtain the ratings for any piece of interactive software, the applicant submits the game with other supporting materials and completes a content declaration,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> all of which is evaluated by an independent administrator called the Netherlands Institute for the Classification of Audiovisual Media (NICAM). It is based on the Dutch Kijkwijzer system as well.<ref>NICAM website Template:Webarchive</ref> Following the evaluation the applicant will receive a license to use the rating logos. If the applicant disagrees with the rating, they can ask for an explanation or make a complaint to the complaints board. Consumers may also make complaints to this board.
Although PEGI was established by an industry body (ISFE) the ratings are given by a body independent of the industry and the whole system is overseen by a number of different Boards and Committees. There is the PEGI Council, composed mainly by national representatives for PEGI, that recommends adjustments to the code in light of social, legal and technological developments. Members of the PEGI Council are recruited for their skill and experience from among parent/consumer body representatives, child psychologists, media specialists, civil servants, academics and legal advisers versed in the protection of minors in Europe.<ref name="pegi">Template:Cite web</ref>
There is also a Complaints Board with experts from various European countries. They deal with complaints related to breaches of requirements of the code of conduct or to age rating recommendations. Should a complaint be received from a consumer or publisher regarding a rating given to a game and no satisfactory settlement can be reached by the PEGI administrator through discussion, explanation or negotiation the complainant may formally request the Complaints Board to mediate. Three board members will then convene, hear the complaint and decide on a ruling. Publishers using the PEGI system are bound by the decision of the Complaints Board. Consequently, they are obliged to carry out any corrective actions required and, in cases of non-compliance, are subject to sanctions as laid out by the code.
Global cooperation in IARC
In 2013, PEGI co-founded the International Age Rating Coalition with USK and the ESRB. IARC aims to streamline the rating of digitally distributed games and apps by providing a single online system that produces age ratings for all participating regions. By filling out one questionnaire, a publisher instantaneously receives ratings from PEGI, USK, ESRB, ACB and others.<ref name="ign">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="dealspwn">Template:Cite web</ref>
PEGI Online
In 2007, the PEGI Online division of PEGI was formed as an addition to the PEGI system for online games. Goals include giving young people in Europe improved protection against unsuitable online gaming content and educating parents on how to ensure safe online play.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This project is supported directly by the European Commission:
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PEGI On-line, which was launched in June 2007 and co-funded by the Safer Internet Programme, is the logical development of the PEGI system, designed to better protect young people against unsuitable gaming content and to help parents to understand the risks and potential for harm within this environment.<ref>Communication from the commission of the European parliament, the council, the European economic and social committee and the committee of the regions, on the protection of consumers, in particular minors, in respect of the use of video games, Brussels, 2008, p.3.</ref>{{#if:|
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PEGI Online is based on four principles:
- The PEGI Online Safety Code and Framework Contract which is signed by all participants
- The PEGI Online Logo which will be displayed by holders of a licence
- The website for applicants and for the general public
- An independent administration, advice, and dispute settlement process
The licence to display the PEGI Online Logo is granted by the PEGI Online Administrator to any online gameplay service provider that meets the requirements set out in the PEGI Online Safety Code (POSC).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Usage
Template:More citations needed section PEGI is the standard age rating system for video games in 38 European countries <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but products with PEGI labels can be found across the globe alongside other rating systems as a result of import for linguistic reasons (e.g.: English versions in India, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, Spanish or Portuguese versions in Latin America). The official status of PEGI ratings varies from country to country, depending on the way national legislation deals with age classification and the protection of minors. In some countries, PEGI is the de facto standard without specific regulation, other countries have officially acknowledged PEGI as the sole system for age ratings, while yet another number of countries have incorporated the PEGI rating system into laws governing the age classification of media, making the labels enforceable in retail.
Officially supports PEGI
| Country | Status | Local system |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council. | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI. Although there is no specific legislative basis at the federal level, PEGI is legally adopted and enforceable in the federal state of Vienna and Carinthia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Other states do not prescribe a specific labelling system, with the exception of Salzburg, where USK labels are mandatory. Represented in the PEGI Council. | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis. | |
| Template:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council. | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.Template:Citation needed | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially support PEGI and PEGI age classifications are mandatory by law. However, distributors have to submit official announcement to national videogame commission (consisting of 3 people from HAVC, CGDA and AEM) to approve this rating (and de facto, release of videogame) for inside of Croatia. In case of disapproval, distributors have to highlight the change of age rating inside Croatia, according to decision of national videogame commission.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis. Northern Cyprus however does not officially support PEGI, but uses it. Nor does it have a legislative basis, even though it is internationally recognised as part of the Republic of Cyprus, some laws like those do not apply there. PEGI labels are used as most are imported from Turkey and the rest of the EU.Template:Citation needed | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.Template:Citation needed | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.Template:Citation needed | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.Template:Citation needed | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | In Finland, games with PEGI ratings are exempt from mandatory classification with national age symbols. Both classifications are enforced by the penal code. Represented in the PEGI Council.Template:Citation needed | KAVI |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | France has adopted legislation making classification of video games with age labels mandatory.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Represented in the PEGI Council. | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.Template:Citation needed | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI. Games rated PEGI 18 are exempt from carrying hungarian warning label "Not suitable for minors under 18" required by law on protecting minors.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Template:Flagu | PEGI is officially supported and age classifications are mandatory for video games by law.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | PEGI ratings are exempt from mandatory classification by IFCO, which adopts PEGI. IFCO is still legally empowered to ban certain video game content from the market. Represented in the PEGI Council.Template:Citation needed | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.Template:Citation needed | |
| Template:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council. | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.Template:Citation needed | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Lithuanian legislation has adopted PEGI which is exempt from mandatory classification with national age symbols. Both classifications are enforced by the penal code as of November 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.Template:Citation needed | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, PEGI is the legally enforceable system for game classification in Malta since January 2016.Template:Citation needed | |
| Template:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council. | |
| Template:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council. | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | PEGI is officially adopted and legislation is in place to enforce age classification in shops where video games are sold.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Government document outlining the role of PEGI in legal context: Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Template:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council. | |
| Template:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.Template:Citation needed | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.Template:Citation needed | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | PEGI has officially been adopted by the Portuguese Classification Board IGAC.<ref name="pegi_pt"/> Represented in the PEGI Council. | IGAC |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.Template:Citation needed | |
| Template:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council. | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI, games which obtained PEGI rating are exempt from mandatory classification within national JSO rating system.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | JSO |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.Template:Citation needed | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.Template:Citation needed | |
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.Template:Citation needed | |
| Template:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and age classifications are mandatory. Classifications PEGI 16 and PEGI 18 are legal restrictions, other labels are recognized as age recommendation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Template:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council. | |
| Template:Flagu | Officially supports PEGI (PEGI is the legally enforceable system for game classification in the UK since 30 July 2012<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>). Represented in the PEGI Council. | BBFC |
Other countries
| Country | Status | Local system |
|---|---|---|
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagu | The USK system is adopted and enforced.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Games that are refused classification by the USK can be placed on the BzKJ index.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> PEGI is not recognised, although PEGI labelling can sometimes be found on retail games along with the USK rating, usually for titles printed for multiple markets. Not represented on the PEGI Council.<ref>https://pegi.info/page/pegi-organisation</ref> | USK |
| Template:Flagu | Uses PEGI labels in almost all foreign & Indian published video games inside the country, and so do the publishers, but does not have an official legislative basis regarding PEGI, and is not represented in the PEGI council.<ref>See video games in India for more information.</ref> | |
| Template:Flagu | PEGI has been adopted by law as the mandatory classification system for video games in Israel since 2007.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Not represented on the PEGI Council. | |
| Template:Flagu | RARS system adopted in 2012. All games, including imported, must have the RARS rating present.<ref>Template:Cite act</ref> PEGI labels were originally used prior to 2012, but were never officially recognised. | RARS |
| Template:Flagu | Uses PEGI labels in almost all foreign & Turkish published video games inside the country, and so do the publishers, but does not have an official legislative basis regarding PEGI, and is not represented in the PEGI council.<ref>Foreign video games published for sale in Turkey are almost all published under European (And EU) licenses, including Turkish-published video games, and almost all are imported from Europe or the European Union, and thus having the PEGI labels on them though it is not officially supported by law. Those released under European licenses can be Turkish branches of the European publishers,(e.g Under a EU or other European based parent company.) -or just European publishers on their own which have the valid and certified (licensed) European licenses that are published with the sold items in Turkey, thus making it verified & certified. (And in case of warranty, all have it covered by a warranty as well.)The classification was semi-officially brought to Turkey in 2014 with a deal between private-owned TOGED (Game Developers Association of Turkey) and PEGI. Second-hand sold items in shops can have different labels, mostly such as the German USK. PEGI is also used while advertising video-games, and in the commercials.</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>See video games in Turkey for more information.</ref> |
Reception
Portrayals of gambling
Games containing minigames resembling casino games and gambling may be subject to heightened ratings due to "12" being the minimum for the "Gambling" descriptor. A 2016 re-release of Pokémon Red and Blue for Nintendo 3DS received a "12" rating (despite receiving the "E" rating from the U.S.-based ESRB) due to its "Game Corner" feature, which includes slot machines that can be played with in-game cash to earn coins redeemable for items. The European release of Pokémon Platinum (2009) was modified to remove the slot machines and replace them with non-interactive "game machines".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As of 2020, PEGI's policies regarding content that resemble casino games and gambling have gotten stricter, with new games featuring the "Simulated Gambling" content descriptor automatically receiving an "18" rating from that point forward.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2019, the basketball video game NBA 2K20 received criticism for a trailer, focused on its "MyTeam" mode, which depicted chance-based minigames styled after casino games such as roulette, slots and pachinko. The visuals were considered to be sensitive due to increasing controversy over use of "loot box" mechanics in video games.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After receiving an e-mail expressing concern over the trailer, PEGI clarified in response that the "Gambling" descriptor applies only to games that "teach" and "encourage" gambling, although admitting that the trailer's imagery may have been "too close for comfort" for some viewers, and that PEGI did not base its ratings decisions on singular trailers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Balatro, a roguelike deck-building game, had its PEGI rating changed from 3+ to 18+ shortly after its February 2024 release due to perceived gambling imagery, and was pulled from some online stores.<ref name="balatro1">Template:Cite web</ref> Playstack, the game's publisher, argued that while the game was based on poker and features poker hands, it does not feature or encourage gambling.<ref name="balatro1"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Balatro was restored to the Nintendo eShop in Europe, Australia and New Zealand on 8 March with the higher 18+ rating.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In a Reddit AMA, Balatro developer Localthunk criticised PEGI for re-rating the game after its release, writing "I still believe that the rating is unwarranted, but there is some gray area for interpretation from PEGI and at this point it is what it is. I think the one thing I am most disappointed by is the fact that other games with actual gambling mechanics aren't rated the same way because of their appearance/theme."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> PEGI reclassified Balatro as well as Luck Be a Landlord, which, Balatro was inspired by, to PEGI 12 in February 2025, saying that the gambling aspects were mitigated by the fantasy nature of gameplay, and for future games, they will devise a more granular approach when considering gambling-like elements in games.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
See also
- Australian Classification Board (ACB)
- Brazilian advisory rating system (ClassInd)
- Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO)
- Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)
- Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC)
- Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK)