That's right, no more BBFC...



PEGI age ratings for video games have become law in the UK starting this week. Now, and for the first time, is illegal to sell 12-rated video games to youngsters below that age.

As we informed you, PEGI was set to become the sole UK game rating system this summer.

Well, the time has come and that have already become law in the UK. Also now -for the first time- is illegal to sell 12-rated video games to youngsters below that age.

The actual rating process will be conducted by the Video Standards Council (VSC). It also means an end to BBFC ratings on the front of game cases.

Retailers who are found guilty of selling games to underage customers face a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a £5,000 fine. Those who sell titles without the necessary age-rating certificates could find themselves with a two-year jail sentence and an unlimited fine.

Trading Standard officers will, in the words of officials, “be working with all retailers over the next few months to help them manage the transition”.

“The UK has one of the most dynamic and innovative video games industries in the world, and the games they produce not only entertain millions, but can also educate and foster creativity,” culture minister Ed Vaizey stated.

“Today’s simplification of the ratings system benefits both industry and consumers and will help ensure that the millions of games sold in the UK each year are being played by the audiences they were intended for.”
And finally, here's PEGI's rating criteria:

- Games are rated for 12-years and over if they include non-graphic violence to human or animal characters, a slightly higher threshold of violence to fantasy characters or significant nudity or bad language.
- Games are rated 16-years and over if the depiction of violence or sexual activity looks the same as it would do in normal life. Drug and tobacco references also trigger the age limit.
- Games are rated 18-years and over if there is a "gross" level of violence likely to make the viewer feel a sense of revulsion.
NEWS SOURCE #1: Technology #19042908 (via) BBC News
NEWS SOURCE #2: PEGI Games ratings come into effect today (via) MCV UK

Our thanks to 'Gauss' for this news item!