Video game content rating system

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An example of different rating systems on video game discs which is common practice in Europe and Australia. From top left to down right: the Russian video game rating system, the European PEGI system, the German USK, all sharing the same age classification on this example game. Video game rating systems in europe.JPG
An example of different rating systems on video game discs which is common practice in Europe and Australia. From top left to down right: the Russian video game rating system, the European PEGI system, the German USK, all sharing the same age classification on this example game.

A video game content rating system is a system used for the classification of video games based on suitability for target audiences. Most of these systems are associated with and/or sponsored by a government, and are sometimes part of the local motion picture rating system. The utility of such ratings has been called into question by studies that publish findings such as 90% of teenagers claim that their parents "never" check the ratings before allowing them to rent or buy video games, [1] and as such, calls have been made to "fix" the existing rating systems. [2] [3] Video game content rating systems can be used as the basis for laws that cover the sales of video games to minors, such as in Australia. Rating checking and approval is part of the game localization when they are being prepared for their distribution in other countries or locales. These rating systems have also been used to voluntarily restrict sales of certain video games by stores, such as the German retailer Galeria Kaufhof's removal of all video games rated 18+ by the USK following the Winnenden school shooting. [4]

Contents

Comparison table

A comparison of current video game rating systems, showing age on the horizontal axis. Note however that the specific criteria used in assigning a classification can vary widely from one country to another. Thus a color code or age range cannot be directly compared from one country to another.

Key:

Country/SystemAge ratingOtherNotes
0/123456789101112131415161718192021
National/Regional Ratings Systems
Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina ATP+13+18N/AAdopted on 15 October 2005.
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia GMR 18+RCThe restricted categories are MA 15+ and R 18+; the latter was introduced at the start of 2013.
PGMA 15+CTC
Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil L1012141618N/AThe same rating system is used for television and motion pictures in Brazil.
Flag of Chile.svg Chile TE8+14+18+EducationalSome games use this rating system rather than the ESRB.
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China N/A8+12+16+N/AApplies to games with online components.
Europe (PEGI)
Flag of Europe.svg European Union except:
Flag of Croatia.svg Croatia
Flag of Germany.svg Germany
Flag of Hungary.svg Hungary
Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovakia
Flag of Iceland.svg Iceland
Flag of Israel.svg Israel
Flag of Norway.svg Norway
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
37121618N/ALegally enforced in some countries (but not all).
7121618
Flag of Germany.svg Germany 06121618 StGB confiscated (Banned) The USK system is also mandatory in Salzburg, Austria.
No labelling
BzKJ restricted
Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong
Flag of Macau.svg Macau
I
(Neither obscene nor indecent)
II
(Inelegant)
III
(Obscenity)
The classification of publications in Hong Kong and Macau is assessed by the Obscene Articles Tribunal.
Country/System0/123456789101112131415161718192021OtherNotes
International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) 3+7+12+16+18+N/AThese ratings are used in most countries that aren't represented by or don't have any rating authority. [5]
Flag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia SU3+7+13+18+N/A
Flag of Iran.svg Iran +3+7+12+15+18N/ASome games are forbidden. Games with extreme violence, explicit sexual content or explicit nudity are prohibited.
Flag of Japan.svg Japan ( CERO )ABCDZ審査予定These ratings have been used since March 1, 2006. The Z rating is the only rating that is legally restricted.
Flag of Japan.svg Japan ( EOCS )G121518N/AThis rating system is used for PC games only.
Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico ABB15CPAdopted on May 27, 2021
D
Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand GR13R15MR18ObjectionableGames with an unrestricted label in Australia can carry Australian classification labels, but New Zealand labels are required if the game is restricted (MA 15+ or R 18+) in Australia or is classified RC.
PGR16
North America (ESRB)
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico
Flag of the United States.svg United States of America
EE10+TMAORPThis was adopted in 1994 in the United States, most of Canada, and Mexico. The AO rating is the only rating that is legally restricted (except in the United States). The ESRB Retail Council “Ratings Education and Enforcement Code” requires that AO-rated games are not supplied to minors, and that M-rated games are not supplied to customers under the age of 17 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. [6]
EC
Country/System0/123456789101112131415161718192021OtherNotes
Flag of Russia.svg Russia 0+6+12+16+18+N/AThese ratings have been used since 1 September 2012. The same rating system is used for television, motion pictures, and publications in Russia.
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Saudi Arabia N/A37121618TBCAdopted in 2016. [7]
Banned
Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore GADV16M18Refused classificationAdopted on 28 April 2008.
Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovakia "Teddy bear's head"121518N/ARatings -7, 7+, 12+ and 15+ imply that game is educational.
U7
-77+12+15+
Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa PG7–9PG7–9PG131618XXIntroduced in 1996 to combat the extensive child abuse in South Africa.
PG10–12PG10–12PGX18
Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea ALL121519Refused classificationBefore 2006, video games released in South Korea were rated by KMRB. There's age-restricted for rating 12 and 15, but unpunished. [8]
Flag of the Republic of China.svg Taiwan 0+6+12+15+18+N/A
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg United Arab Emirates N/A3712161821N/AIntroduced in November 2017, and was established commercially as of February 2018.
Country/System0/123456789101112131415161718192021OtherNotes
Storefront Ratings Systems
App Store (iOS/iPadOS) 4+
(aged 5 and under)
4+
(ages 6–8)
9+12+17+No RatingRatings are required for applications to be released or sold on the App Store. The 4+ rating is divided into three sub-categories: aged 5 and under, 6–8 and 9–11. 17+ rated applications/games can only be purchased with an Apple ID belonging to a person of that age or over. [9]
4+
(ages 9–11)
Google Play [10] 37121618UnratedOnly applies to games released in Russia.
Roblox Experiences [11] [12] All Ages9+13+17+N/A
Samsung Galaxy Store All4+12+16+18+Banned

In the above table, Italics indicate a multinational/transnational organization.

Initial controversy

Similar to other forms of media, video games have been the subject of argument between leading professionals and restriction and prohibition. Often these bouts of criticism come from use of debated topics such as video game graphic violence, virtual sex, violent and gory scenes, partial or full nudity, drug use, portrayal of criminal behavior or other provocative and objectionable material. Video games have also been studied for links to addiction and aggression. A meta analysis of studies from both eastern and western countries yielded evidence that "strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." [13]

There are also groups that have argued to the contrary, that few if any scientifically proven studies exist to back up these claims, and that the video game industry has become an easy target for the media to blame for many contemporary issues. [14] [15] [16] Researchers have also proposed potential positive effects of video games on aspects of social and cognitive development and psychological well-being. [17] It has been shown that action video game players have better hand-eye coordination and visuo-motor skills, such as their resistance to distraction, their sensitivity to information in the peripheral vision and their ability to count briefly presented objects, than non-players. [18]

Rating systems

Argentina

The law 26.043 (passed in 2005) states that the National Council of Children, Youth and Family ('Consejo Nacional de la Niñez, Adolescencia y la Familia') in coordination with the National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts will be the government agencies that assigns age ratings. [19] [20] [21] The Argentine Game Developer Association (Asociación de Desarrolladores de Videojuegos Argentina) was critical of the law. [22] [23] [24] There are three ratings: "Suitable for all public", "Suitable for those over 13 years of age" and "Suitable for those over 18 years of age". [25]

Australia

Australian Classification General (G).svg
Australian Classification Parental Guidance (PG).svg
Australian Classification Mature (M).svg
Australian Classification Mature 15+ (MA 15+).svg
Australian Classification Restricted 18+ (R 18+).svg

The Australian Classification Board (ACB) is a statutory classification body formed by the Australian Government which classifies films, video games and publications for exhibition, sale or hire in Australia since its establishment in 1970. The Classification Board was originally incorporated in the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) which was dissolved in 2006. Originally a part of the Attorney-General's Department and overseen by the Minister for Justice, the ACB is now a branch of the Department of Communications and the Arts which provides administrative support to the Board and is overseen by the Minister for Communications & the Arts. Decisions made by the Board may be reviewed by the Australian Classification Review Board.

Austria

There is no uniform ratings system in Austria, and the nine states regulate content in different ways. The two main systems are PEGI (applied in Vienna) and Germany's USK system (applied in Salzburg). [26]

Brazil

DJCTQ - L.svg
DJCTQ - 10.svg
DJCTQ - 12.svg
DJCTQ - 14.svg
DJCTQ - 16.svg
DJCTQ - 18.svg

The advisory rating (ClassInd) (Classificação Indicativa in Portuguese) rates films, games and television shows in Brazil. It is controlled by the Ministry of Justice (Ministério da Justiça).

Chile

Especialmente recomendado.svg
Toda edad (content rating system).svg
8 anos o mas (content rating system).svg
14 anos o mas (content rating system).svg
18 anos o mas (content rating system).svg

Games are classified by the Council of Cinematographic Classification (Consejo de Calificación Cinematográfica) which is a central agency under the Ministry of Education. [27]

The current age ratings are:

The manufacturers, importers, suppliers and merchants are only permitted to sell and rent video games that are classified as 8, 14 or 18, to those who prove they meet those ages respectively. In the case of each sale or lease by physical means, the respective identity card is required. [28]

China

CADPA 8+.svg
CADPA 12+.svg
CADPA 16+.svg

China introduced a pilot content rating system in December 2020 called the Online Game Age-Appropriateness Warning, which is overseen by the governmental agency China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association  [ zh ] (CADPA). Games with online components are required to show one of the three classifications on websites and registration pages: green for "8+" (appropriate for players 8 years and older), blue for "12+", and yellow for "16+". [29]

Europe

PEGI 3.svg
PEGI 7.svg
PEGI 12.svg
PEGI 16.svg
PEGI 18.svg

The Pan European Game Information (PEGI) is a European video game content rating system established to help European parents make informed decisions on buying computer games with logos on games boxes. It was developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) and came into use in April 2003; it replaced many national age rating systems with a single European system. The PEGI system is now used in more than thirty-one 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 seven content descriptors that advise the suitability and content of a game for a certain age range based on the games content. The ratings are:

The ratings do not indicate the difficulty of the game or the skill required to play it. [30]

Germany

USK 0.svg
USK 6.svg
USK 12.svg
USK 16.svg
USK 18.svg

Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) (Entertainment Software Self-control), is Germany's software rating organization founded in 1994.

Hong Kong and Macau

There is no game grading system in Hong Kong and Macau, but a unified publication classification is adopted, which is divided into three categories: I, II and III. Class I publications can be purchased at all ages without any restrictions. Class II publications need to be marked with warnings and cannot be provided to people under the age of 18, which is equivalent to a restricted level. Class III publications are not allowed to be sold publicly, but there is no restriction on private or friend-to-friend communication. This classification system is equivalent to a hidden classification, The Obscene Articles Tribunal is responsible for the classification and evaluation. [31]

警告:本物品内容可能令人反感;不可将本物品派发、传阅、出售、出租、交给或出借予年龄未满18岁的人士或将本物品向该等人士出示、播放或放映。
WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH MAY OFFEND AND MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED, CIRCULATED, SOLD, HIRED, GIVEN, LENT, SHOWN, PLAYED OR PROJECTED TO A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS.

The Regulation on the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles requires that Class II publications must use this statutory warning slogan, and must be marked in both Chinese and English, and the font size must account for 20% of the total area. [32]

Indonesia

IGRS SU.png
IGRS 3+ 2023.png
IGRS 7+ 2023.png
IGRS 13+ 2023.png
IGRS 18+ 2023.png
The IGRS ratings used in Indonesia

The Indonesian Game Rating System (IGRS) is an official video game content rating system founded and set by the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Informatics in 2016. [33] IGRS rates games that are developed and published in Indonesia. There are 5 classifications of ratings based on the game content, which includes the use of alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, violence, blood, language, sexual content, etc.

These are the following classifications:

As of November 2019, various imported PlayStation titles released since then have been rated by the IGRS after SIE Asia opened their Indonesian office. Those titles are also marked as "Official Indonesia Products" (Indonesian : Produk Resmi Indonesia).

International Age Rating Coalition

IARC 3+.svg
IARC 7+.svg
IARC 12+.svg
IARC 16+.svg
IARC 18+.svg

Some app stores that support the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) use this rating in countries and regions where there is no rating system. The classification standard adopted by IARC is the same as that of PEGI. This rating is not recognized in some countries. [34]

Iran

ESRA +3 (Latin script).svg
ESRA +7 (Latin script).svg
ESRA +12 (Latin script).svg
ESRA +15 (Latin script).svg
ESRA +18 (Latin script).svg
ESRA +3 (Persian).svg
ESRA +7 (Persian).svg
ESRA +12 (Persian).svg
ESRA +15 (Persian).svg
ESRA 18+ (Persian).svg

The Entertainment Software Rating Association (Persian : اسرا) (ESRA) is a governmental video game content rating system that is used in Iran. Games that have been exempt from the rating are de facto banned from sale in Iran.

In practice, the rating applies largely to PC and mobile games, as none of the console games are officially released for the Iranian market.

Japan

In Japan, the content rating is not required by law, but most commercial video game publishers take the industry self-regulations. Console manufacturers force for video game publishers that games must be rated by CERO. Distributors of PC games (mostly dating sims, visual novels, and eroge) require games having the approval of EOCS or Japan contents Review Center. [35] These ratings are referred to by local governments, and the Ordinance Regarding the Healthy Development of Youths (青少年健全育成条例) prohibits retailers from supplying 18+ rating games to persons under 18. [36] [37] Dōjin softs do not have such restrictions, but distribution of obscene materials can be punished under the Article 175 of the Penal Code of Japan.

Computer Entertainment Rating Organization

CERO A.svg
CERO B.svg
CERO C.svg
CERO D.svg
CERO Z.svg

The Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (特定非営利活動法人コンピュータエンターテインメントレーティング機構, Tokutei Hieiri Katsudō Hōjin Konpyūta Entāteinmento Rētingu Kikō) (CERO) is an organization that rates video games in Japan, with different levels of rating that inform the customer of the nature of the product and what age group it suits. It was established in June 2002 as a branch of the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association, and became an officially recognized non-profit organization in December 2003. It currently consists of five age categories and nine content descriptors.

  • A All ages. Formerly "All."
  • B Ages 12 and over. Formerly "12."
  • C Ages 15 and over. Formerly "15."
  • D Ages 17 and over.
  • Z Ages 18 and over only. Formerly "18." This is the only rating that is legally enforced.
  • CERO Assigned to free demos and trial versions of games
  • 審査予定 Assigned to games which are currently awaiting classification

Ethics Organization of Computer Software

EOCS rating symbol - All ages.svg
EOCS rating symbol - 12.svg
EOCS rating symbol - 15.svg
EOCS rating symbol - R-18.svg

The Ethics Organization of Computer Software (一般社団法人コンピュータソフトウェア倫理機構, Ippan Shadan Hōjin Konpyūta Sofutowea Rinri Kikō) (EOCS, or Sofurin) [38] is an incorporated association that rates PC games in Japan. It was established on November 20, 1992, [39] and was incorporated in 2009. The association also works to crack down on copyright infringement of PC games for the companies it represents, and sponsors the Moe Game Award (萌えゲーアワード) to help PC game sales. [40]

The current ratings are: [41]

  • General Software - All ages.
  • General Software (recommended to ages 12 and over)
  • General Software (recommended to ages 15 and over)
  • Software that is banned from selling to persons under 18
JCRC rating symbol Mark 01.png
JCRC rating symbol Mark 02.png
JCRC rating symbol Mark 03.png

Japan Contents Review Center

The Japan contents Review Center (日本コンテンツ審査センター, Nihon Kontentsu Shinsa Sentā) is a cooperative that reviews adult videos and adult PC games in Japan. The organization was founded on December 1, 2010 as Ethics Organization of Video (映像倫理機構, Eizō Rinri Kikō) after the dissolution of the Content Soft Association (CSA). [42]

Mexico

SMECCV A.svg
SMECCV B.svg
SMECCV B15.svg
SMECCV C.svg
SMECCV D.svg

On November 27, 2020, the Secretariat of the Interior (SEGOB) published a new set of guidelines on the Official Journal of the Federation called Lineamentos Generales del Sistema Mexicano de Equivalencias de Clasificación de Contenidos de Videojuegos (General Guidelines of the Mexican System of Classification Equivalencies for Video Game Content). [43] This states that all games distributed in Mexico will have their own set of ratings effective May 27, 2021, replacing the ESRB ratings system that was being used, while still being in accordance with them.

The ratings are as follows:

New Zealand

OFLC G label.svg
OFLC PG label.svg
OFLC M label.svg
OFLC R13 label.svg
OFLC R15 label.svg
OFLC R16 label.svg
OFLC R18 label.svg
R label (Office of Film and Literature Classification, New Zealand).svg

The Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) is the government agency in New Zealand that is responsible for classification of all films, videos, publications, and some video games in New Zealand. It was created by the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 (FVPC Act), replacing various film classification acts, and is an independent Crown entity [44] in terms of the Crown Entities Act 2004. The head of the OFLC is called the Chief Censor, maintaining a title that has described the government officer in charge of censorship in New Zealand since 1916.

The current ratings are: [45]

North America

ESRB 2013 Everyone.svg
ESRB 2013 Everyone 10+.svg
ESRB 2013 Teen.svg
ESRB 2013 Mature.svg
ESRB 2013 Adults Only.svg

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a self-regulatory organization that assigns age and content ratings, enforces industry-adopted advertising guidelines, and ensures responsible online privacy principles for computer and video games and other entertainment software in countries of North America. [46] PEGI ratings are used on some French-language games sold in Canada. Despite being self-regulatory, in Canada, games rated by the ESRB are required by law to be rated and/or restricted, though this only varies at a province and territory level. ESRB ratings can be found on games for Nintendo systems in the countries of Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. This system was used in Mexico as well until it was replaced by a local rating system on May 27, 2021.

A similar system also exists for arcade video games, which is enforced by the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) and the Amusement and Music Operators Association (AMOA). [47] It is called the Parental Advisory System, and uses three colors for ratings - green (Suitable for All Ages), yellow (Mild Content), and red (Strong Content). Stickers displaying the ratings are placed on the game marquees, and the rating can also be displayed during the attract mode if the game's developer or publisher chooses to do so. [48] [49]

Russia

RARS 0+ (2016).svg
RARS 6+ (2016).svg
RARS 12+ (2016).svg
RARS 16+ (2016).svg
RARS 18+ (2016).svg
RARS 0+ (old).svg
RARS 6+ (old).svg
RARS 12+ (old).svg
RARS 16+ (old).svg
RARS 18+ (old).svg

The Age classification of information products is a new statutory classification set of rules formed by the Russian Government after enacting in September 2012 a Federal Law of Russian Federation no. 436-FZ of 2010-12-23 “On Protecting of Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development” (Russian : Федеральный закон Российской Федерации от 29 декабря 2010 г. N 436-ФЗ «О защите детей от информации, причиняющей вред их здоровью и развитию»), which classifies films, video games and publications for exhibition, sale or hire in Russia since 1 September 2012. The Ministry of Culture provides administrative support to the classification.

In December 2022, the federal government has announced plans to establish a dedicated regulation procedure and age rating specifically for digital products, which include video games. There are concerns this may encompass excessive regulation and costs, as the new regulation will focus on interactive and online elements rather than just audiovisual content. [50]

Saudi Arabia

GCAM 3.svg
GCAM 7.svg
GCAM 12.svg
GCAM 16.svg
GCAM 18.svg

The General Commission for Audiovisual Media (Arabic : الهيئة العامة للإعلام المرئي والمسموع, romanized: Alhy'eh Al'amah lel-E'elam Almar'ey wal-Masmoo') (GCAM) is responsible for the age-ratings of films, television programs and interactive games. [51] [52]

Singapore

IMDA Age Rating - Advisory 16 (ADV16).svg
IMDA Age Rating - Mature 18.svg

The Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) is a statutory board of the Singapore Government which regulates films, television programs and video games in Singapore.

Slovakia

JSO's rating tag Teddybear.svg
JSO rating tag U.svg
JSO rating tag 7.svg
JSO's rating tag 12.svg
JSO's rating tag 15.svg
JSO's rating tag 18.svg
JSO's rating tag -7.svg
JSO's rating tag 7+.svg
JSO's rating tag 12+.svg
JSO's rating tag 15+.svg

Jednotný systém označovania (English: Unified System of Age Rating/Labeling) (JSO) is a statutory board of Ministry of Culture of Slovakia under act 589/2007, which regulates age restriction of films, television programs and video games in Slovakia. [53]

The current age ratings are:

In addition, educational game ratings are:

The labeling is mandatory for all physical releases (Games redeemable from gift cards including), but there is no legislative basis for labeling electronic releases (instead, PEGI rating is shown).

South Africa

FPB - PG.svg
FPB - 7-9 PG.svg
FPB - 10-12 PG.svg
FPB - 13.svg
FPB - 16.svg
FPB - 18.svg

The South African Film and Publication Board (FPB) is a statutory classification body formed by the South African Government under the Films and Publications Act of 1996 which classifies films, publications, and video games for exhibition, sale or hire in South Africa. Distributors and exhibitors are legally compelled to comply with the age ratings.

The ratings, as of August 1, 2022 are; [54]

South Korea

GRAC All (jeonceiyongga).svg
GRAC 12 (12seiyongga).svg
GRAC 15 (15seiyongga).svg
GRAC 19 (19ceongsonyeoniyongbulga).svg

The Game Rating and Administration Committee (게임물관리위원회Geimmul Gwanri Wiwonhoe) (GRAC) is the South Korean video game content rating board. A governmental organization, the GRAC rates video and computer games to inform customers of the nature of game contents.

Taiwan

GSRR G logo.svg
GSRR P logo.svg
GSRR PG 12 logo.svg
GSRR PG 15 logo.svg
GSRR R logo.svg

Game Software Rating Regulations (遊戲軟體分級辦法), also translated as Game Software Rating Management Regulations, is the video game content rating system used in Taiwan. [55]

United Arab Emirates

UMC 3.svg
UMC 7.svg
UMC 12.svg
UMC 16.svg
UMC 18.svg
UMC 21.svg

The National Media Council (Arabic : المجلس الوطني للإعلام, romanized: al-Majlis al-Watani li'al-Ealam) (NMC) was a body of the federal U.A.E. government which regulated all aspects of media production, publication, and media trade in the United Arab Emirates. The body was established under Federal Law (1) of 2006, and had full authority over the media in the country, both commercial and government related.

In 2018, the NMC introduced local age rating systems for various media, including video games available in retail. [56] [57]

In June 2021, the Ministry of Culture & Youth launched the Media Regulatory Office (Arabic : مكتب تنظيم الإعلام, romanized: Maktab Tanzheem al-Ealam) (MRO) to execute a number of functions and tasks previously under the National Media Council, [58] following a restructure of the federal U.A.E. government that was approved in July 2020. [59] In June 2022, the 2018 NMC rating labels for video games began phasing out in favour of new labels reflecting the corporate image of the MRO. The ratings themselves were unchanged. The New Media Law came into force on December 1, 2023 in which the top logo of the label changed to reflect the corporate image of the UAE Media Council which went into effect in 2024. [60] [61]

United Kingdom

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), originally British Board of Film Censors, is a non-governmental organisation, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification of films within the United Kingdom. [62] It has a statutory requirement to classify videos and DVDs. It no longer has responsibility for rating video games in the UK. This role has been passed to the Video Standards Council (formerly known as the VSC Rating Board). [63]

In July 2012, the VSC Rating Board became the sole UK statutory video games regulator for the UK. The VSC Rating Board has been a PEGI Administrator since 2003 and subsequently uses the PEGI criteria to classify video games. The UK Interactive Entertainment Association, a UK industry trade group, works with the VSC to help properly label such games and provide informational material to parents. Games featuring strong pornographic content or ancillary mini-games to be included with a DVD feature will still be rated by the BBFC.

Usage

The image below presents outdated usage of various video game content rating systems around the world. Countries filled with gradients are using several rating systems.

Turkiye: Almost all video games published in Turkey have the PEGI rating-system, and so are they advertised with PEGI, but it is not legally supported and semi-officially used. See here & here (usage) for more information. Video game rating systems map.svg
Türkiye: Almost all video games published in Turkey have the PEGI rating-system, and so are they advertised with PEGI, but it is not legally supported and semi-officially used. See here & here (usage) for more information.

See also

Related Research Articles

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Television content rating systems are systems for evaluating the content and reporting the suitability of television programmes for minors. Many countries have their own television rating system and countries' rating processes vary by local priorities. Programmes are rated by the organization that manages the system, the broadcaster, or the content producers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PEGI</span> European video game content rating system

PEGI, short for Pan-European Game Information, 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 41 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brazilian advisory rating system</span> Content rating for movies, games and television

The BrazilianAdvisory Rating is a content rating system for the classification of movies, games and television programs. The ClassInd rating system is controlled by the Advisory Rating Coordination of the Department of Justice Policies. It is established on the National Secretariat of Justice of the Ministry of Justice.

The Maritime Film Classification Board is a government organization responsible for reviewing films and granting film ratings in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

The Videogame Rating Council (V.R.C.) was introduced by Sega of America in 1993 to rate all video games that were released for sale in the United States and Canada on the Master System, Genesis, Game Gear, Sega CD, 32X, and Pico. The rating had to be clearly displayed on the front of the box, but their appearance in advertisements for the video game was strictly optional. It was later supplanted by the industry-wide Entertainment Software Rating Board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle</span> German video game content rating system

Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle is the organisation responsible for video game ratings in Germany. In Austria, it is mandatory in the state of Salzburg, while PEGI is mandatory in Vienna.

A content rating rates the suitability of TV shows, movies, comic books, or video games to this primary targeted audience. A content rating usually places a media source into one of a number of different categories, to show which age group is suitable to view media and entertainment. The individual categories include the stated age groups within the category, along with all ages greater than the ages of that category.

The Manitoba Film Classification Board (MFCB) was a provincial government organization responsible for rating films and video games rented, sold, or shown in the province of Manitoba. In mid 2018, the Board was dissolved, with its duties being outsourced to British Columbia for film classifications, and transferred to the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) for video games.

Motion picture ratings in Canada are mostly a provincial responsibility, and each province has its own legislation regarding exhibition and admission. For home video purposes, a single Canadian Home Video Rating System rating consisting of an average of the participating provincial ratings is displayed on retail packages, although various provinces may have rules on display and sale, especially for the R and A categories.

The Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC), formerly the Game Rating Board (GRB) until December 23, 2013, is a South Korean video game content rating board. A governmental organization, the GRAC rates video games to inform customers of the nature of game contents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Board of Film Classification</span> British film classification organisation

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is a non-governmental organisation founded by the British film industry in 1912 and responsible for the national classification and censorship of films exhibited at cinemas and video works released on physical media within the United Kingdom. It has a statutory requirement to classify all video works released on VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and, to a lesser extent, some video games under the Video Recordings Act 1984. The BBFC was also the designated regulator for the UK age-verification scheme, which was abandoned before being implemented.

The Australian Classification Board is an Australian government statutory body responsible for the classification and censorship of films, television programmes, video games and publications for exhibition, sale or hire in Australia.

A mobile software content rating system is a rating system which is tailored to users of mobile software.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Age Rating Coalition</span> International media content rating initiative

The International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) is an initiative aimed at streamlining acquisition of content ratings for video games, from authorities of different countries. Introduced in 2013, the IARC system simplifies the process of obtaining ratings by developers, through the use of questionnaires, which assess the content of the product. This new process reduces the costs of video game developers as they seek to obtain ratings for their products that are distributed digitally online.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Association for UK Interactive Entertainment</span> Non-profit trade association

The Association for UK Interactive Entertainment (Ukie) is a non-profit trade association for the video game industry in the United Kingdom (UK). Ukie was founded in 1989 as the European Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), then changed to Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) in 2002, and to its current name in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chilean video game content rating system</span>

The Chilean video game content rating system, is a set of decrees that regulate the video game rating for video games sold in Chile since 2018. Chile, Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil are the only countries in Latin America to officially adopt a video game content rating system other than the ESRB.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Guidelines of the Mexican System of Classification Equivalencies for Video Game Content</span> Mexican video game content rating system

The Mexican System of Equivalences of Video Game Content Classification(SMECCV) (Sistema Mexicano de Equivalencias de Clasificación de Contenidos de Videojuegos) is the current legislation in Mexico in terms of the regulation of the age classification of video games. This legislation was adopted and published in the Official Journal of the Federation by the Secretariat of the Interior in November 2020 and entered into force on May 27, 2021.

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