Video Games Raitings

Chris and Dave

BBFC
One of the main bodies that rates
video games is the BBFC (British
Board of Film Classification). The
same body that classifies film’s
and D.V.D’s. The same system of
classification is used for films and
video games.

The games classified by the BBFC

are games that: ‘Depict human
sexual activity, gross violence, or
other matters of concern.)
Therefore, most games classified
by them would receive either a
‘15’ or an ‘18’ certificate.
Due to the interactivity of video
games, the BBFC bases its
classifications on the frequency
that players would encounter an
issue when playing a game. Rather
than if an issue is just there.
 A ’15’ game can contain:
Drug abuse, but cant promote it.
Strong threat and menace, unless
sadistic or sexualised.
Nudity in a sexual context, but not in
great detail.
Strong references to sexual
behaviour.
Strong violence, but should not dwell
to much on inflicting pain or misery.
 Detailed references to sexual
violence.
 It can’t contain:
Discriminatory language or
behaviour.
The misuse of widely available
substances.
Unsuitable material that can be
easily copied.
Aggressive or repeated use of the
strongest language.

15
 An ‘18 certificate can contain nearly
anything. On the basis that adults
should be able to choose their own
entertainment. Exceptions to this
are:
Material that has been created
through the commission of a criminal
offence.
Any work which may harm the
public’s health and morals. E.g, if a
work endorses sexual violence.
Any unsuitable material that can be
easily replicated by children
Any images of graphic sex that
aren't justified by context.
There is a greater chance of the
BBFC intervening with ‘18’ video
games than films, as they are much
more accessible to children than
films.

18
 The P.E.G.I (Pan
European Game
Information.) Is the
European watchdog
specifically for video
games.

PEGI
Ratings
Here are the rating's symbols
of the P.E.G.I. Each age group
has what it can contain below
it.
Each of these symbols has to
appear on a game box if it has
any of these elements in
them.
This system has been put
under a lot of criticism for
being poorly understood
 When games first started,
they did not really need
certificates; as they were so
pixelated and simple that if
any violence was depicted, it
was so visually unrealistic
that no rating was needed.
 However, as graphics got
better, violence became
more realistic in games, so a
system of ratings had to be
brought in.
The history of Video game
certificates
Originally, games were rated exclusively
by P.E.G.I. More violent games like
C.O.D or Halo were given 16+ ratings
as the violence was graphic, but could
not be replicated in the real world. If
the games were stronger, or could be
replicated, then they were rated 18+.
Under the 1984 Video Recordings Act,
all games needed to give a
classification.
In the Sixth generation, games based
on films were produced on the PS2 or
Xbox. These contained scenes from
actual films, so needed a B.B.F.C rating.
Now, most games have a B.B.F.C
rating, as their ratings are the most
distinguishable ones and consumers
have a better understanding of what
they mean, as they have been used for
years in films.