Pan European Game Information

Pan European Game Information
Founded	2003

PEGI, short for Pan European Game Information, is a rating board similar to ESRB which is used throughout Europe, except for Germany (where the USK is used instead). PEGI ratings use a different system than ESRB, notably having symbols explaining the reasons for the rating, such as symbols for violence or drug abuse. The age restrictions differ from the ones given by ESRB. Instead of letters, PEGI uses numbers.

Age categories

The age rating will vary depending on how mild the game is. If the age is higher than 4, a content descriptor is given as to why the game is rated with that particular age. For example, if the game is rated 7 and violence, it means the game has violence, but is extremely mild. If a game is rated 18 and violence, the violence is much more extreme.

Age rating

Rating	Description
	Lowest class in the rating. It's meant for everyone above the age of three. Similar to the ESRB's eC and the E (low end) ratings. Examples: Mario Kart Wii, Yoshi's Island DS
	Meant for people who are above the age of seven. Similar to ESRB's E10+ (low end) and E (high end) ratings. Games may contain minor violence or fear. Examples: WarioWare: Smooth Moves, Mario Strikers Charged, WarioWare D.I.Y.
	Meant for people who are above the age of twelve. Similar to the ESRB's Teen (low end) and E10+ (high end) ratings. Games may contain moderate violence or moderate language and drug references. Example: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
	Meant for people who are above the age of sixteen. Similar to ESRB's M (low end) and Teen (high end) ratings. Games may contain strong violence and language, sexual content and use of drugs. Example: Metroid: Other M
	Highest class in the rating. It's only meant for everyone above the age of eighteen. Similar to the ESRB's AO and M (high end) ratings. Games may contain strong bloody violence or discrimination, and games can also contain any of the above items. Example: Grand Theft Auto (GTA)

Other Ratings

These ratings are used in Portugal and Finland. The UK has used the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) in the past. The BBFC rating is frequently used on games rated "18" by PEGI. PEGI became legally enforced in June 2009.

• Portugal use the ratings of 3, 6, 12, 16 and 18. Portugal also uses IGAC.
• Finland uses the ratings of 4, 7, 11, 15 and 18. Finland also use VET/SFB.

Rating	Description
	The lowest rating in Portugal. It's meant for everyone who are aged four and over. It is changed due to Film Ratings in the Country being the same, and confusing people. It is equivalent to PEGI 3.
	The second-lowest rating in Portugal. This rating is suitable for people who are aged six and over. It is for the same reason as 3. It is an equivalent to PEGI 7.
	This is for people who are aged eleven and over. It is changed due to Finland's other video game rating system, VET/SFB, having very similar ratings to PEGI. It is an equivalent to PEGI 12.
	This is an old rating for Finland. It is meant for people who are aged fifteen and over. It is changed for the same reason as 11. It is equivalent to PEGI 16.

Content descriptor

• Violence - May contain scenes of people getting injured or dying, often by use of weapons. Also may contain gore and blood-letting.
• Bad Language - May contain profanity, sexual innuendo, threats, and all matter of slurs and epithets.
• Fear - May contain scenes that are considered too disturbing or frightening to younger or more emotionally vulnerable players.
• Sexual content - May contain references to sexual attraction or sexual intercourse. Also may contain nudity and characters dressed in suggestive clothing.
• Drugs - May contain references to illegal drugs or a fictional substance that has parallels to real-life illegal drugs (in use, possession, or sale).
• Discrimination - May contain cruelty or harassment based on race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual preferences.
• Gambling - May contain games that are played for money (real or simulated).
• Online Game - Game has online play.

See Also

• ESRB - (Entertainment Software Rating Board), the organization rating games for US audiences.
• CERO - (Computer Entertainment Rating Organization), the Japanese rating system.
• ACB - (Australian Classification Board), the Australian rating system.
• USK - (Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle), the German rating system.
• DEJUS - (Departamento de Justiça, Classificação, Títulos e Qualificação), the Brazilian rating system.