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PEGI Online

Background

The PEGI Online project is best construed as a supplement to the Pan European Game Information system PEGI (www.pegi.info) to cover online electronic games. Started by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) in 2003 with a view to help European parents and gatekeepers to make more informed decisions when it comes to buying offline and online games, the PEGI system provides pointers, in the form of age logos and content descriptors, pertaining to the age suitability of the games concerned.

The PEGI Online project is aimed to:
1 - Secure a higher level of protection of minors in a context that proves elusive to most parents, that of online gaming.
2 - Educate parents with respect to the risks and potential harms specific to the online gaming environment, a new, fast growing form of entertainment.

The first objective will be achieved through the development of the PEGI Online Safety Code (POSC). All signatories to this set of rules will commit to taking steps meant to ban inappropriate material from their site and to ensure adequate behaviour among users. As a consequence, they will be authorized to display the PEGI Online label on the access page of online games. This authorization will be subject to prior registration of the games concerned in the PEGI system. On applying for the label, companies shall provide detailed information such as game category, measures taken to protect minors and to promote good behaviour among players, etc.

The second objective will be achieved by the display of the PEGI Online label on the access page of online games, thereby telling parents and gatekeepers that the operating company complies with the relevant set of rules. In addition to this individual operator’s possible code of practice as displayed on its own site, parents will only have to go to the PEGI Internet website to gather additional information on the general commitments taken by companies authorized to display the PEGI Online label to protect minors. There, they will also find information about the risks pertaining to various types of online games.

Intended as a supplement to the well established PEGI system, the PEGI Online project will enjoy a number of advantages throughout its development:
- Development of the POSC: Not only is the ISFE membership fully behind this project, all interactive software publishers participating to the PEGI system (more than 100 signatories) will be invited to contribute to the development of the POSC. This makes for a majority of the industry.

- Adoption of the POSC by the industry: All companies participating to the PEGI system would be encouraged to use the “POSC” and to display the new PEGI Online label both on the access pages of online games and on the package of the game (when not distributed directly online).

- Consumer information: Since the vast majority of the interactive software products marketed in Europe display the PEGI icons together with the PEGI website, provision of information on PEGI Online through the PEGI website will ensure from day one that timely, updated information is flowing to parents and gatekeepers eager to control access to unsuitable content for minors. Information on PEGI Online will also be part of broader information campaigns on the PEGI system.

In phase one, the PEGI Online Safety Code will be developed by a working group made up of companies operating online games and a specific PEGI Online label will be designed. A new part of the PEGI website will be developed to provide information on online gaming and allow the registration of online games.

In phase two, companies operating online games will be able to register their online game on the PEGI website and to subsequently display the “PEGI Online” label on the access page of the registered games.

Description of consortium:

International Software Federation of Europe (ISFE)

Established in 1998 as an international association with scientific and educational purpose, ISFE aims to make a case for the interactive software sector vis-à-vis the EU and international institutions. ISFE boasts a mixed membership of National Trade Associations and publishers.

ISFE produces and spreads information on legal and business issues pertaining to this industry, sees to effective legislation to protect its members’ IP rights and to secure unrestricted access to markets, fosters appropriate information and training to fight piracy, encourages scientific research into all aspects of the related products, including the protection of minors from unsuitable content.

In particular, ISFE owns and manages the PEGI (Pan European Game Information) system of harmonized game ratings throughout Europe, which helps parents and other ”gate keepers” to make informed decisions when buying games.

Netherlands Institute for the Classification of Audio-visual Media (NICAM)

NICAM brings together all Dutch public service and commercial broadcasting organizations, computer games distributors, film and video producers, video stores and retailers.

NICAM was set up in 2000 to create an effective and uniform system of classification for all audio-visual media, providing consumers with information related to the age suitability and types of potential harmful content in the form of content descriptors. With an innovative form of information provision, supplementing and complementing existing age classifications, NICAM aims to enable consumers to take rational decisions as to whether or not they can regard an audiovisual product as unsuitable for young people.

In 2001, NICAM launched the ‘Kijkwijzer’ system, which stands for ‘watch wiser’ or ‘viewing guide’ and is applying to film, TV programme, and video.

In 2002, NICAM has been chosen by ISFE to administer the PEGI System and since then is taking care of the daily administration and of the technical support of the system. The British Video Standard Council (VSC) act as NICAM’s agent for all PEGI issues in the UK.

Funding

159,877 €

Project start - end date (duration)

01/09/2005 - 31/08/2007 (24 months)

Web site

www.pegi.info

Annual report(s)

Annual report - September 2005 - September 2006

Contact

Mr. Patrice Chazerand
Secretary General
Interactive Software Federation of Europe
15 Rue Guimard
B 1040 Bruxelles

Tel: + 32- 2 5138816
Fax: +32- 2 5027462
email: patrice.chazerand@isfeurope.org

Participants

International Software Federation of Europe (ISFE)
Netherlands Institute for the Classification of Audio-visual Media (NICAM)

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