Age Rating

The year age rating started:

The British board of Film Classification (BBFC) is independent, non-governmental and not-for-profit, and has the responsibility of classifying films since 1912, video tapes and discs since 1985 and for video games since the 1st of September 1994. Age rating labels for video games in the UK: PEGI 3: 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.

PEGI 7: 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.

PEGI 12:

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.

PEGI 16: 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.

PEGI 18:

The adult classification 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 and of the simulation of gambling, and explicit sexual activity should also fall into this age category.

Age rating labels for video games in the US:

ESRB E (Everyone):

Content is generally suitable for all ages. May contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild violence. ESRB E +10 (Everyone +10):

Content is generally suitable for ages 10 and up. May contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes.

ESRB T (Teen):

Teen is generally suitable for ages 13 and up. May contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humour, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language. ESRB M (mature 17+):

Content is generally suitable for ages 17 and up. May contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.

ESRB A (adults Only 10+)

Content suitable only for adults ages 18 and up. May include prolonged scenes of intense violence, graphic sexual content and/or gambling with real money.

ESRB RP (rating pending)

Not yet assigned a final ESRB rating. Appears only in advertising, marketing and promotional materials related to a physical (e.g., a boxed) video game that is expected to carry an ESRB rating, and should be replaced by a game’s rating once it has been assigned.

Games that sparked a lot of controversy about the age rating: A game that sparked a lot of controversy about the age rating was the series “Grand Theft Auto”. The series also being called “GTA”, has sparked a lot of controversy about the age rating that it should be given. The game having a lot of the “Drugs”, “Sex” and a lot of 18+ aspects but they were having the “partial Nudity” which is in the 16+ rating and a lot of mixtures between 18+ and 16+.