PEGI ratings to be expanded to the eShop
PEGI has announced the expansion of its rating system to mobile and digital storefronts in Europe. This comes as part of a global initiative with other classification authorities from around the world, which includes the following groups:
Pan European Game Information (PEGI) – Europe
Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) – Germany
Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) – North America
Classificação Indicativa (ClassInd) – Brazil
Classification Board – Australia
The International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) was recently established in hopes of streamlining the process for assigning age and content ratings to digital games as well as mobile apps. At the moment, the IARC system is adopted for use in Google Play/Firefox Marketplace, but the eShop will soon be represented as well.
Ultimately, this should mean that more games will make their way to Europe. That’s because developers will be able to submit their game, and then collectively obtain age ratings for various countries. The process will be much, much simpler… and free.
