PEGI Content Descriptors: Let’s Break Them Down

PEGI is the video game rating system that is in use across Europe. There are 8 PEGI content descriptors, which are listed below:

1) Violence:

The game contains depictions of violence. In games rated PEGI 7 this can only be non-realistic or non-detailed violence. Games rated PEGI 12 can include violence in a fantasy environment or non-realistic violence towards human-like characters, whereas games rated PEGI 16 or 18 have increasingly more realistic-looking violence.​

2) Bad Language:

The game contains bad language. This descriptor can be found on games with a PEGI 12 (mild swearing), PEGI 16 (e.g. sexual expletives or blasphemy) or PEGI 18 rating (e.g. sexual expletives or blasphemy).

3) Fear/Horror:

This descriptor may appear as ‘Fear’ on games with a PEGI 7 if it contains pictures or sounds that may be frightening or scary to young children, or as ‘Horror’ on higher-rated games that contain moderate (PEGI 12) or intense and sustained (PEGI 16) horror sequences or disturbing images (not necessarily including violent content).

4) Gambling:

The game contains elements that encourage or teach gambling. These simulations of gambling refer to games of chance that are normally carried out in casinos or gambling halls. Some older titles can be found with PEGI 12 or PEGI 16, but PEGI changed the criteria for this classification in 2020, which made that new games with this sort of content are always PEGI 18.

5) Sex:

This content descriptor can accompany a PEGI 12 rating if the game includes sexual posturing or innuendo, a PEGI 16 rating if there is erotic nudity or sexual intercourse without visible genitals or a PEGI 18 rating if there is explicit sexual activity in the game. Depictions of nudity in a non-sexual context do not require a specific age rating, and this descriptor would not be necessary.

6) Drugs:

The game refers to or depicts the use of illegal drugs, alcohol or tobacco. Games with this content descriptor are always PEGI 16 or PEGI 18.

7) Discrimination:

The game contains depictions of ethnic, religious, nationalistic or other stereotypes likely to encourage hatred. This content is always restricted to a PEGI 18 rating.

8) In-Game Purchases:

The game offers players the option to purchase digital goods or services with real-world currency. Such purchases include additional content (bonus levels, outfits, surprise items, music), but also upgrades (e.g. to disable ads), subscriptions to updates, virtual coins and other forms of in-game currency.

This content descriptor is sometimes accompanied by an additional notice (“Paid Random Items”) if the in-game purchases include random items (like loot boxes or card packs).

References

• PEGI. (n.d.). What do the labels mean? PEGI. Retrieved December 30, 2024, from https://pegi.info/what-do-the-labels-mean