Governing; Regulatory and Industry Related Bodies - PEGI

How Has PEGI influenced Games Development?

PEGI is the European videogame age regulator. They determine what the age rating of a videogame should be based on their knowledge and experience of the videogames they review by testing it, being provided early access from the developers (and information) to allow the game to receive an age rating with details before the game’s release. The PEGI age rating is very important for videogame development as it is needed for the game to be released to the European market, without it then the game can not be released at all.

(Stuart, 2013) has documented an event that occurred which involved PEGI causing a negative effect to a game’s development. From a prevention of release in Australia, PEGI’s rating is important to judge a game’s target audience and no rating could mean no release at all. Saints Row 4 did not receive an age rating in Australia and prevented it from being released in the country (Stuart, 2013); this meant that it could’ve either not been released in the UK or be further postponed for review to be released in the UK. The game was in a grey area where PEGI was not able to properly rate the game for Australia which had affected the games market and development as they would not have made money from the Australian market. From this event occurring, we can see the importance of videogames being regulated with an age rating to make sure it can legally be released to the audience otherwise it will not be allowed at all. Developers will aim to make sure that the videogames that they produce will receive an age rating from regulating companies such as PEGI to ensure that their games can be released.