New PEGI Symbols Revealed News

Following the government's decision yesterday to scrap the use of BBFC game ratings in the UK and utilise the PEGI system exclusively, the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) has now launched a new set of PEGI symbols.

These new symbols are graded across 3, 7, 12, 16, and 18 age ratings that are colour coded from green to red. However, the new designs differ slightly in appearance from ELSPA's redesign plans that were launched last year.

In addition to this, the PEGI system's content-specific warning symbols will remain and ISFE is also promising extended consumer advice within the new system as well, which will contain more specific content descriptions (e.g. comic violence, glamorisation of crime etc.).

At the same time, the UK's Video Standards Council (VSC) has revealed to gi.biz that the government hasn't provided a timeframe for changes to the UK game ratings system, while retailers have not received guidance on how to grade existing stock.

"We are going to start discussions as soon as possible with the government. It's a partnership approach, we're not waiting for them to act, but we do have a lot to discuss," said the VSC's Director of Operations, Peter Darby.

"We're waiting for government legislation and we want to implement these changes as soon as possible to go forward with a final plan," he explained.

Nonetheless, the VSC has been granted powers by the government under its new responsibilities such as imposing fines, license refusals, and outright bans for publishers that don't comply with the PEGI system.

Meanwhile, the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) is set to spearhead a new campaign to educate the public about these changes to UK game ratings system.