AGE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS IN VIDEO GAMES

1 December 2023 / Articles

Game development is related not only to technical issues or the broader scope of video game development from the perspective of developers or producers. It is also important to properly identify and tailor the content resulting from a video game to the appropriate age category of end users, i.e. gamers. When buying a video game, probably each of us has paid attention to the numbers that usually appear on the back cover – they indicate precisely the minimum age of the player.

Age classification systems – binding regulations in Poland and around the world

First of all – there are no uniform and comprehensive age classification systems for video games at the national or EU level. If they already exist-they are not binding, but informative. On the basis of the classification (designation) it is possible to determine for which age group the game is suitable according, of course, to the creators of these very classification systems.

Age classification systems play a very important role in protecting children and young people from inappropriate content on the Internet. Their main purpose is to ensure compliance with ethical principles and to protect users from content that may be harmful to their development. In addition, the use of age rating systems is often required by laws in various countries, which means that video game producers and online content providers must use this mechanism to comply with legal requirements.

Age rating systems allow access to content only for those who have reached a certain age or have been confirmed to be of legal age. This ensures that children and young people are protected from content that may be harmful to them. The use of age-classification systems can help avoid legal consequences associated with non-compliance with laws on the protection of children and adolescents on the Internet.

In doing so, it should be emphasized that depending on the country, different age classifications, different classification systems will apply. The most important classification systems that are widely applicable are: PEGI (Pan European Game Information), applicable in 38 European countries (not in all EU member states – e.g. limited application in Germany), and ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board). In addition, mention should be made of the USK (Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle) system, which was developed in Germany, and the age classification system in effect in the UK, i.e. the BBFC (The British Board of Film Classification).

a. PEGI:

As mentioned above, this is the system in force in the vast majority of European countries. It is the most popular system. Interestingly, however, it is in force in perhaps non-obvious countries, such as Kosovo, for example, and in Germany, for example, it is used in a limited way due to the existence of the internal USK system (about which more later). As an aside, it is worth pointing out that there are slight differences in age categories in Finland and Portugal compared to the rest of the countries covered by the PEGI age classification system.

As for the classification itself, PEGI operates on the principle of age ratings, which provide guidance to consumers, including parents in particular, to help make a choice when purchasing a particular product for a child. PEGI rates games by age, taking into account their content, such as violence, vulgarity, sexuality, drugs, fear or discrimination. Each element is evaluated individually, and an overall age category is then assigned. Importantly, however, the PEGI ranking only provides information on whether a video game is suitable for a particular age group – it does not take into account the level of difficulty.

PEGI is a voluntary system, not a law, but most game manufacturers use it voluntarily and place appropriate PEGI-compliant labels on their products. Although PEGI is not legally binding, there are regulations in some European countries that require the use of the PEGI system on the packaging and advertising of video games to ensure that children and young people are protected from inappropriate content. In Poland, PEGI is used as a standard for evaluating games, but it has no legal force.

b. ESRB:

The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) is an American rating (age rating) system for video games and other interactive multimedia applications. It was established in 1994 by the Interactive Digital Software Association (now the Entertainment Software Association) to provide parents and caregivers with information about the content of video games and their age-appropriateness.

The ESRB evaluates games for their content and assigns them the appropriate age category, and includes descriptions of content that may be unsuitable for some players on game packages. The system is voluntary and its use is voluntary for video game manufacturers and distributors. The ESRB is one of the most popular rating (age classification) systems for video games in the world, and its ratings are widely accepted in the United States and Canada. The ESRB is also sometimes used by video game developers from other countries who want to sell their products in the U.S. market.

The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) is a rating (age rating) system that is voluntary and has no legal force in most countries. ESRB designations and ratings are not binding in a legal sense and are generally not required by law. However, in some U.S. states, such as California, Illinois, Minnesota and New York, there are laws that require video game retailers to comply with rating systems (age classifications), including the ESRB. In these states, retailers must comply with ESRB ratings and labels in order to sell video games. Violations of these laws can lead to fines and other penalties.

In addition, many video game retailers and manufacturers voluntarily adhere to rating systems (age classifications), including the ESRB, to ensure that their products are appropriately matched to the age and maturity of their audiences. Most video game stores in the U.S. also require games to be labeled according to the ESRB in order to sell them.

c. USK:

USK (Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle) is a German rating (age classification) system for video games and other interactive media, created in 1994.

In addition to age categories, the USK also rates the content of games for violence, sexuality, drugs and other controversial content. Each game is additionally given a content description that tells what it contains and what the potential risks are. The USK is voluntary and does not have the force of law, but most video game retailers in Germany follow the USK ratings and label their products according to the system. This is due to the fact that many stores in Germany refuse to sell games without USK labels, and some German states require games to be labeled according to USK. USK is one of the most recognized rating systems for video games in Europe and is widely accepted by video game distributors and manufacturers in Germany.

USK labels and ratings are not binding in a legal sense, but there are laws in some German states that impose requirements on video game sellers to comply with the USK rating system. In the state of Baden-Württemberg, the Jugendschutzgesetz requires that video games be labeled in accordance with the USK, and their sale is prohibited to persons under a certain age. In the rest of Germany, compliance with USK ratings is recommended but not legally required.

d. BBFC:

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is the British rating (age classification) system for movies and video games.

The BBFC is legally required to classify films in the UK, but for video games its ratings are not legally binding. However, most video game retailers in the UK adhere to BBFC ratings and mark their products according to the system, as many retailers do not sell games without BBFC labels. In addition, there are regulations governing the sale of video games in the UK, which mandate that retailers ensure that customers have access to information on BBFC age ratings prior to purchase.

Unfortunately, some game developers may not adhere to age requirements and include adult content in games that are labeled for younger players.However, most game developers and distributors adhere to age ratings and use age rating systems to ensure that their games are appropriately matched to the age and maturity of their audience.

CONCLUSIONS:

While the use of age rating systems is not mandatory, it is a relatively simple and accessible tool to help demonstrate that a game developer has taken care to ensure that minors do not access content that is inappropriate for them. In view of the fact that there is no legal obligation to use age ratings, it is primarily the responsibility of parents, not game developers, to ensure that their children do not have access to inappropriate content. However, manufacturers should give parents an easy way to make judgments in this regard – including by placing appropriate labels on game packages.

Adherence to an age verification system also shows the manufacturer’s solidarity with the community in taking care to limit access to content inappropriate for minors, and can also have a positive impact on the manufacturer’s assessment as an ethical entity in its business.