Ratings - PEGI (EU)

European Game Ratings

Not sure if a game is appropriate for you and your family? The PEGI rating system is an easy-to-read graphical system that rates videogames for age appropriate content all across Europe. Each game has a base Age Category rating, as well as up to six Content Descriptors. Below is a description of what these icons mean and why you should look for them when you browse this site or head to your local game vendor.

Age Category

Ages 3 and up

Titles rated 3+ have been assessed to be suitable for most gamers, including all of those above the age of 3. May contain some violence in a comical context (ie. very mild cartoon slapstick), but otherwise should be age-appropriate for young children.

Ages 7 and up

Titles rated 7+ have been assessed to be suitable for gamers above the age of 7. May contain occasional violence to non-realistic fantasy characters, pictures or sounds likely to be scary or frightening to young children, and nudity in a non-sexual context.

Ages 12 and up

Titles rated 12+ have been assessed to be suitable for gamers above the age of 12. May contain graphic violence towards fantasy characters, non-graphic violence towards humans or animals, explicit sexual descriptions or images (nude people in a sexual context, although not necessarily explicit in content), and mild swearing.

Ages 16 and up

Titles rated 16+ have been assessed to be suitable for gamers above the age of 16. May contain violence showing graphic and detailed depictions of brutality, death or injury to unrealistic humans or animals, glamorization of crime, use of illegal drugs, encouragement of the use of tobacco or alcohol, sexual expletives or blasphemy, erotic or sexual nudity, sexual intercourse without visible genitals.

Ages 18 and up

Titles rated 18+ have been assessed to be suitable for gamers above the age of 18. May contain graphic, detailed and sustained violence towards realistic humans or animals (including dismemberment, torture, massive blood and gore, sadism and other types of gross violence), violence towards vulnerable or defenseless humans, sexual activity with visible genital organs, sexual violence or threats (including rape), detailed descriptions of techniques that could be used in criminal offences, glamorization of the use of illegal drugs, and disparaging or stereotypical portrayals of ethnic, religious, nationalistic or other likely stereotypes which may encourage hatred by depiction. Due to adult content, these titles are not intended for persons under the age of 18.

British Board of Film Classification Ratings

In addition to PEGI, some UK videogame releases also or alternatively display the certificate of The British Board of Film Classification. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an independent, non-governmental body that classifies films, videos, DVDs and digital games. Use of the BBFC rating is particularly common with titles for the Teen (15+) and Adult (18) markets, where there are legal ramifications for unlawful distribution of the title to minors. The certification has also become increasingly common in the UK for other classification levels as well. For more information about titles carrying symbols such as these seen below, please see our dedicated page on BBFC Classification Ratings.

Content Descriptors

Bad Language

Contains bad language. (Possibly includes swearing, sexual expletives or blasphemy. Degree of content will be factored into Age Category.)

Discrimination

Contains depictions of, or material which may encourage, discrimination. (Possibly includes ethnic, religious, nationalistic or other stereotyping or denigration. Degree of content will be factored into Age Category.)

Drugs

Refers to or depicts the use of drugs. (Possibly includes illegal drugs, tobacco or alcohol. Degree of content will be factored into Age Category.)

Fear

Contains pictures or sounds likely to be scary or frightening to young children. (Note - this rating is not typically used outside of the 3+ Age Category, even in games that fall into the Horror genre.)

Sex

Game depicts nudity and/or sexual behavior or sexual references. (Possibly includes nudity, explicit sexual descriptions, nudity expressing sexual arousal, visible genitals, and sexual intercourse and/or activity. Degree of content will be factored into Age Category.)

Violence

Game contains depictions of violence. (Possibly includes violence to non-realistic fantasy characters, violence towards humans or animals, glamorization of crime, sexual violence or threats, and blood and gore. Degree of content will be factored into Age Category.)

The PEGI age rating and content descriptor icons are
registered trademarks of the Interactive Software Federation of Europe.
(Visit PEGI for more information on the ratings system.)

The BBFC age rating icons are
trademarks of The British Board of Film Classification.
(Visit The BBFC for more information on the ratings system.)