maca2kx
Rookie
Admittedly this will pertain more to British (and perhaps European) posters than it will to anyone else but I'm posting it anyway.
Basically the situation so far is that the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) has enjoyed a monopoly on the ratings empire for several years. They rate all films and most games and have the power to stop the release of a game on British shores (like they did with Manhunt 2 for a time). Their certificates are as follows:
Pretty simple really.
Now, the 'rival' classification board is PEGI (Pan European Game Information). This board is (as the title suggests) for games only and provides information as to why the game received the rating it did. These ratings go as follows:
They also carry information on violence, sex, drugs, language and so on to allow the parent to make an informed choice.
The difference between the two systems is that, at the moment, BBFC is legally binding and PEGI isn't. This means that a shop cannot sell a BBFC rate game to a person under the required age but CAN do so if the game is only rated PEGI. I work for a store that sells games and our policy (and that of a few other stores) is to treat PEGI the same as BBFC but this dual system has to change and BBFC is currently on the losing end of the battle.
Personally I think PEGI is too bland to catch the awareness of a parent who doesn't know they should be looking for it (just take a look at the symbols on the website). It's not so much that the system is complicated, it's pretty damn simple, it's just that the public isn't aware of it and the only reason I know so much about it is because I have to.
With BBFC being present on films, adults are aware of it and instantly know what the circle emblazoned on a X360 case means. For PEGI to have the same impact it needs to undergo a design overhaul to be eye catching, instantly recognisable and immediately clear.
So those are my thoughts, what are yours?
Sam
Basically the situation so far is that the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) has enjoyed a monopoly on the ratings empire for several years. They rate all films and most games and have the power to stop the release of a game on British shores (like they did with Manhunt 2 for a time). Their certificates are as follows:
- Uc - Universal children, literally anyone can watch/play this (though you may need to regress a few decades to enjoy it).
- U - Universal, meant for children at least four years old.
- PG - Parental Guidance, it's up to the parent.
- 12.
- 12a - meant for over 12s but kids under 12 can go if accompanied by a responsible adult (more of a film classification than a game one).
- 15.
- 18.
Pretty simple really.
Now, the 'rival' classification board is PEGI (Pan European Game Information). This board is (as the title suggests) for games only and provides information as to why the game received the rating it did. These ratings go as follows:
- 3+
- 7+
- 12+
- 16+
- 18+
They also carry information on violence, sex, drugs, language and so on to allow the parent to make an informed choice.
The difference between the two systems is that, at the moment, BBFC is legally binding and PEGI isn't. This means that a shop cannot sell a BBFC rate game to a person under the required age but CAN do so if the game is only rated PEGI. I work for a store that sells games and our policy (and that of a few other stores) is to treat PEGI the same as BBFC but this dual system has to change and BBFC is currently on the losing end of the battle.
Personally I think PEGI is too bland to catch the awareness of a parent who doesn't know they should be looking for it (just take a look at the symbols on the website). It's not so much that the system is complicated, it's pretty damn simple, it's just that the public isn't aware of it and the only reason I know so much about it is because I have to.
With BBFC being present on films, adults are aware of it and instantly know what the circle emblazoned on a X360 case means. For PEGI to have the same impact it needs to undergo a design overhaul to be eye catching, instantly recognisable and immediately clear.
So those are my thoughts, what are yours?
Sam