PEGI to Become Sole Classification System for Videogames (in UK)

The Digital Economy Bill was given Royal Assent yesterday afternoon, and sees PEGI become the new classification system for videogames in the UK during the next Parliament. This follows a massive campaign led by the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) to abolish the BBFC's classification of adult rated games in the UK and replace it with the PEGI system overseen by the Video Standards Council.

[GunShotEddy]

I did know there was another one. Is it like the ESRB in the US where they pretty much control gaming to the point now that they can blackmail publishers? Not saying the ESRB censors for a price... *doors get kicked in and I'm dragged off*

[DigitalRaptor]

BBFC is the same board that rates movies in the UK. And they seem to be fairer and more realistic on rating games than PEGI, who are more likely to censor games. BBFC > PEGI :(

[PirateThom]

PEGI ratings are like ESRB, I suppose, but they're not binding in anyway. It's a recommended age rating.

BBFC meant if there was a BBFC 12, 15 or 18 logo on the game, it became illegal for stores to sell it to anyone under that age.

Problem was, there was no standardisation, if there was a BBFC stamp, there's no PEGI stamp. For anyone looking for a standard UK rating system, it didn't exist. Really, this only affects mature games anyway, instead of a 12, 15 or 18 BBFC logo, they'll get one of the PEGI stamps instead (Which are colour coded now).