PEGI plans postponed until September

Confusion over whether games featuring video content still need a BBFC logo has temporarily derailed the implementation of PEGI.

Now, PEGI will not be the sole legal rating system for games until September at the very earliest.

A new DCMS proposal states that interactive entertainment which features linear content (such as trailers) would require a BBFC rating. That means a game that features a video in it will need to have both a PEGI and BBFC label on the box.

UKIE condemned the proposal, saying in a statement: Any dual labelling is contrary to the principles that were established in having PEGI introduced into the Digital Economy Act and if this proposal were implemented we believe it would only cause unnecessary and potentially harmful consumer confusion.”

UKIE added it was working with the DCMS to resolve the issues as quickly as possible. It wants one rating label on all video game packaging.

Although the trade body is confident the issues would be resolved, it would require further approval from UK and European Governments, which means there’s little chance of having PEGI implemented before September.

The news follows Ed Vaizey’s comments earlier this month, where he said PEGI wouldn’t be made legal until July at the earliest.

It means the implementation of PEGI will take place over three years since Dr. Tanya Byron issued her report on ‘Safer Children in a Digital World’.