Share this article:
 Digg.com Facebook Google Bookmarks N4G Gamerblips del.icio.us Reddit Slashdot.org StumbleUpon The main problem with pegi is that most parents that aren't in the know, just assume that the pegi ratings are reflective of the difficulty of the game and not the content. Whereas with the bbfc ratings they know exactly where they stand.
If it was down to me, i'd use exactly the same system as dvds, use bbfc ratings with the theme, sex/nudity, language and violence box on the back sleeve. Since that is far easier to understand than some random pictures that nobody ever notices. The irritating thing about this is PEGI doesn't rate games at 15. And this is a problem for me, because when I was 14 I couldn't buy 15's and now that I'm 15 I wont be able to 16's. Let's hope this doesn't come in to effect until september, when i'll be older Can't delete duplicate post, gagh! Does this mean games like GTA will be downgraded to 16+, or will games now have to be censored to be suitable for under 18s? I agree with Quain. However, even the BBFC style warnings don't seem to stop parents buying wholly unsuitable games for their kids. What I think is needed is verbal warnings on the front of the game of what that game has depictions of - whether it be bloody violence, language or sexual themes. What I think is needed is every parent to have a small explosive implanted in their brain that detonates if they do anything stupid to physically/emotionally damage their child (including provide inappropriately rated entertainment).
But then again; I was provided inappropriately rated entertainment, so my mind is obviously rather warped.
:arrow: Please note: There may be high levels of sarcasm/stupidity above. Good, and about damn time too. I lost all confidence in them after the Manhunt 2 debacle. They're not a videogame institution, so good riddance. BBFC ratings are gone? I may sound unreasonable, but I generally found that games with the BBFC ratings slapped on the box were the best games! Every game I played with the PEGI system on, were either bad or less than the sum of it's BBFC parts. BBFC will be missed :( That's what I was thinking. BBFC banned that game until it was changed. I chose what I want to watch/play, not someone else. Hopefully we won't get anything like that with the PEGI system
BBFC were the dickheads that rated 3x3 Eyes an 18 certificate a while ago when Manga entertainment first started up in the UK. Japanese anime was new over here and they just didn't have a clue rating some of the animes that were released. There was only a little blood for gods sake. Not like it was Urotsukidoji. I don't think they understand games the same way as live action movies. Let a dedicated games ratings board oversee ratings. I'll do the rest when it comes to what my kids are allowed to play. Does this mean that PEGI becomes enforceable by law? Or does it just mean that retailers can only say "this game may not be suitable for you" as they sell GTA5 to a ten year old? I used to love PEGI as a kid, mainly because my parents didn't a)really know what it meant/thought it was advisory rather than an official ruling b)spot it.
The same applied to guys in Electronic Boutique (pre-game ownership), they just sold me whatever if it just had PEGI on it, but if it had a BBFC rating (Carmaggedon 2) I stood no chance of getting it! If the BBFC are good or not at what they do when it comes to games is open to debate, but when it comes down to clarity and communication you can't beat a system which is fully understood by the public. The last thing we need in this knee jerk society is a system which isn't recognised by general consumers. When trying to educate people about games, why create more things to teach. @AJDarkstar: PEGI have introduced an 18 rating now so GTA would not have to be cut to meet the 16 rating. | 
