News

PEGI becomes UK law, Eidos advises parental responsibility
Posted: 30.07.2012 15:00 by JonahFalcon Comments: 5
A history date in UK videogame history, the PEGI rating has become a UK law which will make it illegal for retailers to sell mature age-rated games to children below 12. However, Eidos life president Ian Livingstone is still putting the onus on parents to control their children's gaming habits.


In an interview spot on Sky News, Livingstone reassured that the passing of PEGI into law was "driven by the games industry,” and that PEGI wasn't "forced upon them.”

“You should take responsibility as a parent, and as a guardian,” he went on to warn. “These are simply a guideline.as most of the content you see today is also online."

Almost all online interactions are unrated due to the unpredictability of other users' language and behavior.

Source: VG247

Comments

By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jul 30, 2012
herodotus
While a good guide for the purchase of games for the young 'uns it is still just a guide. What is also needed are stricter selling policies and laws, as with the sale of alcohol and tobacco to those under-age.
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Jul 30, 2012
nocutius
Well on the other hand kids don't seem to have any trouble getting alcohol and cigarets at all so games won't be any different even if they'd actually enforce this.

But it's still a nice tool for parents that are not familiar with the subject to be able to tell what kind of games their kids are playing.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jul 30, 2012
herodotus
I meant making retailers more legally responsible. I know kids get a hold of these things without effort, but at least they cannot walk intom a store and buy them without repercussions for the seller.
When I managed a video store, if a kid obviously under 15yo wanted to rent a [MA15+] DVD it was store policy that we were to phone his parent(s) to get their permission. [R18+] obviously went without saying, and often required proof of age, something that puts the casual renter/buyer off.
By Jasca_Ducato (SI Core) on Aug 03, 2012
Jasca_Ducato
To be fair, most of the under-aged kids who own CoD, Dark Souls, GTA and all that lot are bought the games by their parents... Putting more responsibility on retailers is almost impossible to do,mad they already do everything they can to abide by BBFC guidelines.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Aug 03, 2012
herodotus
Normally I'd agree, but I've seen so many kids in EB Games, who now have no policy it seems (it was ruthless when I managed one of their stores) buying whatevr they want. Kids obviously 10yo at the most walking up to the counter and the staffer selling him a [MA15+] with a big smile and "Do you want anything else with that,sir - a Cyber-porno mag to while away the time while it installs?".
But yes, ultimately it's the parent that's responsible. I'm singling out the times where the parent might not actually know what they're child is buying (with two-income families that's often the case). They therefore rely on the dicretion of the retailer and their ability to abide by the law.