Pan European Game Information (PEGI) is a European video game content rating system.
Coming into effect in 2003, it replaced several national age rating systems, including the widely-used ELSPA system, with a single unified system for Europe.
History[]
The PEGI system was developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) and launched on 9 April 2003. It was based on the Dutch system for film classifications, Kijkwijzer, which uses a two-tier system of age ratings and content descriptors. The review board for Kijkwijzer, the Netherlands Institute for the Classification of Audiovisual Media (NICAM), also serves as an independent administrator of the PEGI system, along with the Video Standards Council (VSC) in the United Kingdom. Together, they review every game submitted for classification.
Originally, the system featured five age ratings: 3+, 7+, 12+, 16+ and 18+, and seven content descriptors. In certain countries it was necessary to use a modified scale. In Finland, 12+ became 11+ and 16+ became 15+. This was reversed on 1 January 2007 when Finland fully adopted the PEGI system. In Portugal, two of the ratings were aligned with the age ratings of the country's film classification system to avoid confusion: 3+ was changed to 4+ while 7+ became 6+. In 2019, however, 4+ was retired and the standard rating instated.
The ISFE later handed over the day-to-day management and development of the system to PEGI S.A., a non-profit organisation set up in Brussels. In June 2009, new "traffic light" colour-coded designs were unveiled for the age rating symbols. The plus signs were also removed and the background lettering changed from "ISFE" to "PEGI". The next year, in a slight tweak to the designs, the lettering was removed completely.
In July 2015, the Online content descriptor was discontinued. With most modern games allowing for online interactions, it was decided it no longer represented sufficient information to consumers. At the same time, a new label for apps with a variable range of content was added: "Parental Guidance Recommended", denoted by an exclamation mark. Another new symbol, a content descriptor denoting in-game purchases, was announced on 30 August 2018 at the height of controversy surrounding microtransactions.
Ratings[]
| Icon | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
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| 3 | ||
| Content is considered suitable for all age groups. | Gran Turismo 5 | |
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7
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| Content with scenes or sounds that can possibly be frightening to younger children. Very mild forms of violence are acceptable. | LittleBigPlanet | |
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| 12 | ||
| Content with violence of a slightly more graphic nature towards fantasy characters or non-realistic violence towards human-like characters. | Jak 3 | |
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| 16 | ||
| Content with depictions of violence (or sexual activity) that reach a stage that look the same as would be expected in real life. | Horizon Zero Dawn | |
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| 18 | ||
| Content with violence that reaches a stage where it becomes a depiction of gross violence, apparent motiveless killing, or violence towards defenceless characters. | The Last of Us | |
Content descriptors[]
| Icon | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ||
Online      | ||
Contains online interactions.
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Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One | |
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| In-Game Purchases | ||
| Contains the option to purchase digital goods or services with real-world currency. | Fortnite | |
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Fear / Horror  | ||
| Contains imagery that may be frightening to young children (7), horrific sounds or effects without any violent content (12). | Child of Light | |
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| Violence | ||
| Contains depictions of violence. | God of War III | |
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| Bad Language | ||
| Contains bad language, e.g. mild swearing (12), sexual expletives or blasphemy (16, 18). | Yakuza 2 | |
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| Gambling | ||
| Contains elements that encourage or teach gambling. | Red Dead Redemption | |
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| Sex | ||
| Contains sexual posturing or innuendo (12), erotic nudity or sexual intercourse without visible genitalia (16), explicit sexual activity (18). | The Sims 4 | |
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| Drugs | ||
| Contains references to, or depictions of, the use of illegal drugs, alcohol or tobacco. | Grand Theft Auto IV | |
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| Discrimination | ||
| Contains depictions of ethnic, religious, nationalistic or other stereotypes likely to encourage hatred. | SWAT: Target Liberty | |
Other labels[]
| Icon | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ||
| PEGI Online | ||
| Online games from providers who have committed to uphold standards which include the protection of minors in online gameplay. | Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare | |
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| PEGI OK | ||
| Small casual games that do not contain any unsuitable content and can safely be played by players of all age groups. | PlayStation Home mini-games | |
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| Parental Guidance Recommended | ||
| Non-game apps that contain a broad, variable range of content that is sometimes user-generated, e.g. streaming services or social networking. | YouTube | |
Ratings history[]
| 3+ | 7+ | 12+ | 16+ | 18+ | |
| 2003–2009 | 
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| 3 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 18 | |
| 2009–2010 | 
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| 2010–present |
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Regional variants[]
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Usage[]
| Key: | De facto use No official support or legislative basis |
Officially supported Advisory with no legislative basis |
Officially adopted Mandatory and/or legally enforceable |
| Countries where PEGI ratings are used | ||||
| Albania | Austria[n 1] | Belgium | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Bulgaria |
| Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia |
| Finland | France | Greece | Hungary | Iceland |
| Ireland | Israel | Italy | Kosovo | Latvia |
| Lithuania | Luxembourg | Malta | Moldova | Montenegro |
| Netherlands | North Macedonia | Norway | Poland | Portugal |
| Romania | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain |
| Sweden | Switzerland | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom |