PEGI is the official European rating board for video games. The age ratings range from 3-18
PEGI 3
This rating is considered for everyone of all ages. Some of its violence is done in comical contexts or presentations is acceptable. Ideally, the characters should be all fantasy and fiction rather than realistic format. Otherwise, the content can be seen as harmful to the children's audience. Content being sounds, pictures that could come off as scary or frightening.
PEGI 7
PEGI 7 is very similar to PEGI 3 but the content can contain potential frightening scenes or sounds that could be considered suitable in this category.
PEGI 12
PEGI 12 represents the most hardcore content for the ages of a child. Nearing the teenager's age. Anything that's rated PEGI 12 shows the violence of slightly more graphic nature towards fantasy characters and/or non-graphic violence towards human-looing characters or recognizable animal. Moreover that PEGI 123 shows nudity of a slightly more graphic nature would fall in this age category. Any harsh language in this category has to be mild and stay short of sexual expletives)
PEGI 16
This rating is applied once the presentation of violence (optionally sexual activity) reaches a stage that is illustrated the same as what would one expect in real life. The harsh language is more extreme, the concept of drugs, depiction of criminal activities can be the content of games that are rated 16.
PEGI 18
PEGI 18 is the adult classification that is applied when the levels of violence reach a stage where the content becomes very explicit and realistic (Gorey or graphical content) including specific types of violence. Gross violence is the most difficult to define since it can be very subjective in many cases, though in general terms it can be classed as the depictions of violence that would make the player/viewer feel a sense of revulsion.
Descriptors shown on the back of the packaging indicate the main reason s why has received a particular age rating. There are 8 descriptors: violence, bad language, fear, drugs, sexual, discrimination, gambling, and online game-play with other people.
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