“PEGI has become one of those things that’s really widely recognized among the industry and consumers, but what’s changed over the years?”
At the ongoing PGC London conference, the director general of the Games Rating Authority, Ian Rice, engaged in a conversation with Video Games Industry Memo editor George Osborn to shed light on the evolution of PEGI’s age rating system. Rice highlighted the system’s journey over the past two decades, which has seen significant changes to adapt to evolving technology and user feedback. He also emphasized the need for further changes in response to the increasingly regulated online world.
Adapting to the times
Rice began by discussing the age ratings of physical games, which were more prevalent when PEGI ratings began in 2003. He emphasized the importance of clearly detailing age ratings from the outset, with developers providing relevant footage of their games related to violence, sex, and language, among other factors. However, once a rating is assigned and printed on the game’s box, it cannot be changed, leading to potential recalls if the game’s content exceeds the rated level.
Rice also acknowledged the continued presence of physical games and the necessity for accurate age ratings, describing the process as “black and white” to ensure consistency across different types of violence depicted in games.
The conversation delved into contentious topics such as loot boxes and NFTs, with Rice emphasizing the need for caution in factoring these elements into age rating classifications due to their potential influences on ratings and player experiences.
Rice also discussed upcoming changes to PEGI’s age rating descriptors, outlining the addition of new distinctions to address specific content, such as “bad language” versus “discrimination”. He also acknowledged the growing trend of age ratings for mobile apps, albeit predominantly for the most popular ones, citing limitations in resources to provide ratings for all mobile games.
As PGC London 2024 continues, there is much more to explore and discover through engaging talks and conversations that are scheduled to run until January 22 and 23, offering insights from the best in the games industry.
To find out more about the remaining events and opportunities to participate, visit the official PGC London 2024 website.
