MovieLab
Common Metadata

PEGI

Version 0

URI: http://www.movielabs.com/md/ratings/BE/PEGI/0

Organization:

  • Name: Interactive Software Federation of Europe
  • Type of Organization: Trade
  • Contact Information:
    Interactive Software Federation of Europe 15 Rue Guimard B-1040 Brussels Tel: (00) 32 2 612 17 79 Fax:(00) 32 2 612 17 78
  • Web Site: http://www.pegi.info/en/index/id/952

Scope:

This rating system has been adopted in the following regions:

BELGIUM
AUSTRIA
BULGARIA
CYPRUS
CZECH REPUBLIC
DENMARK
ESTONIA
FINLAND
FRANCE
GREECE
HUNGARY
ICELAND
IRELAND
ISRAEL
ITALY
LATVIA
LITHUANIA
LUXEMBOURG
MALTA
NETHERLANDS
NORWAY
POLAND
PORTUGAL
ROMANIA
SLOVAKIA
SLOVENIA
SPAIN
SWEDEN
SWITZERLAND
UNITED KINGDOM

This rating system is applicable to the following types of distribution media:

  • Game
when viewed in the following environments:
  • Home


Ratings:

XML formatted file

PEGI-OK : PEGI OK

Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): N.A.

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 0

Definition

PEGI-OK : PEGI OK

there is nothing in the game that would lead to a higher rating than the standard 3+ category

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Explanation

Many websites and online services contain small games and in order to cover this rapidly growing segment, the PEGI OK label was devised. When a small online game on a website has been labelled ‘PEGI OK’, it means that the game can comfortably be played by players of all age groups because it does not contain any potentially unsuitable game content. A PEGI OK label indicates that the strict PEGI rating criteria have been applied and it has been ascertained that there is nothing in the game that would lead to a higher rating than the standard 3+ category. The operator of a website or games portal is permitted to use the PEGI OK label based upon a declaration made to PEGI that the game does not contain any material that requires a formal rating. To qualify for the PEGI OK label a game can NOT contain any of the following elements: violence, sexual activity or sexual innuendo, nudity, bad language, gambling, promotion or use of drugs, promotion of alcohol or tobacco, scary scenes

PEGI-3 : PEGI 3

Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): N.A.

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 0

Definition

PEGI-3 : PEGI 3

suitable for all age groups

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Explanation

The content of games given this rating is considered suitable for all age groups. Some violence in a comical context (typically Bugs Bunny or Tom & Jerry cartoon-like forms of violence) is acceptable. The child should not be able to associate the character on the screen with real life characters, they should be totally fantasy. The game should not contain any sounds or pictures that are likely to scare or frighten young children. No bad language should be heard.

PEGI-7 : PEGI 7

Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: 7
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): N.A.

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 7

Definition

PEGI-7 : PEGI 7

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Fear Pictures or sounds likely to be scary or frightening to young children
Violence Non-realistic, humorous, or implied

Explanation

Any game that would normally be rated at 3 but contains some possibly frightening scenes or sounds may be considered suitable in this category.

PEGI-12 : PEGI 12

Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: 12
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): N.A.

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 12

Definition

PEGI-12 : PEGI 12

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Gambling Moving images that encourage and/or teach the use of games of chance that are played/carried out as a traditional means of gambling
Language Mild swearing and/or offensive language
Violence realistic looking violence towards fantasy characters or of a minor nature; non-realistic looking violence towards human-like or animal-like characters; ;arcade style or sporting action showing violence
Sex Words or activities that amount to obvious sexual innuendo or explicit sexual descriptions or images or sexual posturing

Explanation

Videogames that show violence of a slightly more graphic nature towards fantasy character and/or non graphic violence towards human-looking characters or recognisable animals, as well as videogames that show nudity of a slightly more graphic nature would fall in this age category. Any bad language in this category must be mild and fall short of sexual expletives.

PEGI-16 : PEGI 16

Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: 16
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): N.A.

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 16

Definition

PEGI-16 : PEGI 16

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Gambling Moving images that encourage and/or teach the use of games of chance that are played/carried out as a traditional means of gambling
Language Sexual expletives or blasphemy
Violence
Drugs Encouragement of the use of tobacco or alcohol; Depictions of the use of illegal drugs
Sex Erotic or sexual nudity; sexual intercourse without visible genitals

Explanation

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. More extreme bad language, the concept of the use of tobacco and drugs and the depiction of criminal activities can be content of games that are rated 16.

PEGI-18 : PEGI 18

Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: 18
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): N.A.

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 80

Definition

PEGI-18 : PEGI 18

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Gambling Moving images that encourage and/or teach the use of games of chance that are played/carried out as a traditional means of gambling
Discrimination
Language
Violence
Drugs
Sex

Explanation

The adult classification is applied when the level of violence reaches a stage where it becomes a depiction of gross violence and/or includes elements of specific types of violence. Gross violence is the most difficult to define since it can be very subjective in many cases, but in general terms it can be classed as the depictions of violence that would make the viewer feel a sense of revulsion.

Reasons and Content Descriptors:

PEGI-12: Mild swearing and/or offensive language

This means bad language that falls short of sexual expletives and includes the words damn, hell, God, bloody, son-of-a-bitch, sod, tart, crap, bugger, screw, arse, slag, slut, tosser, Christ, dickhead, bitch, shit, piss off, whore, arsehole, prick, bollocks, twat, bastard, wanker and shag. It also covers offensive language such as nigger, coon, yid, queer, dyke and other racially or gender offensive words

PEGI-16: Sexual expletives or blasphemy

The most common sexual expletives are fuck, cunt, motherfucker and cocksucker although this list is not exhaustive. Blasphemy means irreverent depictions or words concerning sacred matters or religious beliefs (not restricted to the Christian faith). It should be noted that blasphemy is likely to be illegal under national criminal laws and may not be included in the game in any event.

PEGI-18:

Not provided

This descriptor can only appear on games rated 18 containing depictions of ethnic, religious, nationalistic of other stereotypes that could encourage hatred. It is rarely used in contemporary games – and more likely appears in games with historical situations (such as Second World War re-enactments).

PEGI-18:

Not provided

Encourages drug usage

Game may encourage the use of tobacco or alcohol in games rated 16 or depict illegal drugs in 18-rated titles.

PEGI-16: Encouragement of the use of tobacco or alcohol; Depictions of the use of illegal drugs

  • Encouragement of the use of tobacco or alcohol:

    This means where the character gains advantage in the game by the use of tobacco or alcohol. It also includes prominent advertising encouraging the use of tobacco or alcohol products.

  • Depictions of the use of illegal drugs:

    This includes the use of illegal drugs in any circumstances.

PEGI-18:

Not provided

pictures or sounds that could be frightening to young children.

This descriptor may appear on 7-rated games with pictures or sounds that could be frightening to young children.

PEGI-7: Pictures or sounds likely to be scary or frightening to young children

This is where you do not actually see or hear anything specifically violent but nevertheless because of the sounds or depictions the overall theme may be frightening to young children (haunting or aggressive music, entering a haunted house, background screams or rustling in the undergrowth).

Encourages or teaches gambling

Used for games rated 12, 16 or 18 that may encourage or teach gambling for money normally played in casinos, gambling halls, racetracks, etc.

PEGI-12: Moving images that encourage and/or teach the use of games of chance that are played/carried out as a traditional means of gambling

This refers to types of betting or gambling for money that is normally played/carried out in casinos, gambling halls, racetracks. This does not cover games where betting or gambling is simply part of the general storyline. The game must actually teach the player how to gamble or bet and/or encourage the player to want to gamble or bet for money in real life. For example this will include games that teach the player how to play card games that are usually played for money or how to play the odds in horse racing.

PEGI-16: Moving images that encourage and/or teach the use of games of chance that are played/carried out as a traditional means of gambling

This refers to types of betting or gambling for money that is normally played/carried out in casinos, gambling halls, racetracks. This does not cover games where betting or gambling is simply part of the general storyline. The game must actually teach the player how to gamble or bet and/or encourage the player to want to gamble or bet for money in real life. For example this will include games that teach the player how to play card games that are usually played for money or how to play the odds in horse racing.

PEGI-18: Moving images that encourage and/or teach the use of games of chance that are played/carried out as a traditional means of gambling

This refers to types of betting or gambling for money that is normally played/carried out in casinos, gambling halls, racetracks. This does not cover games where betting or gambling is simply part of the general storyline. The game must actually teach the player how to gamble or bet and/or encourage the player to want to gamble or bet for money in real life. For example this will include games that teach the player how to play card games that are usually played for money or how to play the odds in horse racing.

Sex

Games depicting nudity or references to sexual behaviour.

In games rated 12 this may include words or activities with obvious sexual innuendo. In 16-rated games depictions of erotic or sexual nudity may feature and in 18-rated games explicit images of sexual activity may be included.

PEGI-12: Words or activities that amount to obvious sexual innuendo or explicit sexual descriptions or images or sexual posturing

This can refer to words or pictures that may be sexually explicit but do not amount to eroticism (a brief glimpse of a lady with bare boobs at a window or a brief glimpse of a naked couple (not showing genitalia) getting into bed). The sexual innuendo must be obviously relating to sexual intercourse/ foreplay and can consist of words and/or activity. This would cover instances in which it is clear that sexual intercourse is taking place but the participants are out of view, under sheets etc. The importance is sexual connotation.

If however, the couple can be seen, even if they are partially clothed, then question 14 ‘sexual intercourse without visible genitals’ will be more appropriate. The test is whether the images could prompt sexual curiosity on behalf of the player.

Sexual posturing means dancing or posing (while remaining clothed) in a manner intended to put across a sexual message or suggestion. This will include such things as pole dancing, lap dancing and even some of the more suggestive music video sequences.

PEGI-16: Erotic or sexual nudity; sexual intercourse without visible genitals

  1. Depictions of sexual intercourse without visible genitals:

    This is self-explanatory although it must be fairly apparent what the characters are doing. ‘Boobs and bums’ do not count as genital organs and nor does the showing of pubic hair only.

  2. Depictions of erotic or sexual nudity:

    This is where the depiction of nudity (including partial nudity) could result in sexual arousal or is shown as a prelude to human sexual activity. This can include still pictures particularly if they depict an erotic activity. This will not generally include straightforward pin-ups.

PEGI-18:

Not provided

Contains depictions of violence

In games rated 7 any violence can only be non-realistic or non-detailed violence. Games rated 12 can include violence in a fantasy environment, whereas games rated 16 or 18 can have increasingly more realistic-looking violence.

PEGI-7: Non-realistic, humorous, or implied

  • Depictions of non-realistic violence towards fantasy characters:

    A fantasy character is a character that does not exist in real life and does not take a human appearance and includes ghosts, gremlins, dragons and other mythical creatures. The characters react in a way that would not be expected of human-like characters and although you know that the characters are being killed or injured you do not really see very much (eg. the characters immediately disappear in a puff of smoke or are otherwise so small that you really cannot see what exactly is happening).

  • Depictions of non-detailed and non-realistic violence towards nondetailed human-like characters:

    This is where the depiction gives only a basic representation of a human (stick men or pixelated characters). If the characters are small but are detailed enough to be clearly recognisable as humans a ‘yes’ answer to this question is not appropriate.

  • Depictions of non-realistic violence of a minor nature towards a humanlike or animal-like character:

    Characters must react to the violence in an unrealistic way, e.g. they flash or disappear when hit, but do not show any apparent reactions consistent with real life. The important aspect will be the minor nature of the violence. Therefore there cannot be any of the following:

    • Emphasis on the violence in depictions or audio, e.g. close-ups, slow motion
    • Depictions of pain or suffering
  • Depictions of implied violence to humans where the actual violence is not shown:

    This is where you do not actually see any violence to humans but it is obvious what is happening. It covers such matters as the bombing of a city where you know civilians are killed and injured, blowing up a tank or shooting down a plane where you know the crew are killed, smashing into cars or other vehicles where the driver/passenger must be injured. It also includes depictions of violence against humans where you do not see any violent act, or the immediate reaction to this act, but you do see the cause and/or the result.

  • Depictions of violence that is humorous and/or is set in a cartoon, slapstick or child-like setting, and is likely to be disturbing to younger children:

    A child-like setting is a setting that is more likely to appeal to younger children. Such a setting may include (but is not limited to):

    • a fantastical theme
    • bright colors
    • playful music
    • cheerful sounds and/or an overall cartoonlike atmosphere

    Whether the violence in that setting is likely to be disturbing to younger children is determined by elements such as:

    • fierce sounds
    • nature of the characters
    • the severity of the violence and/or dark overtones

PEGI-12: realistic looking violence towards fantasy characters or of a minor nature; non-realistic looking violence towards human-like or animal-like characters; ;arcade style or sporting action showing violence

Not provided

PEGI-16:

Not provided

PEGI-18:

Not provided


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