New PEGI Descriptors
What is PEGI? Well, PEGI (Pan-European Game Information) is the equivalent of the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) here in the US. Where this entity supplies the video game rating system that is used throughout most of Europe and elsewhere.
Now PEGI goes one step further that just giving an appropriate age, but also uses these things called descriptors to make consumers aware of what content is contained within their potential purchase. Said descriptors are “Bad Language”, “Discrimination”, “Drugs”, “Fear”, “Gambling”, “Sex”, “Violence” and “Online”.
Unfortunately, I feel that PEGI could have used a few more descriptors that consumers would definitely benefit from knowing about.
Micropayments – Buyers deserve to know whether buying a game is a one time thing or the beginning of an incremental investment. Addition downloadable content is nice, but a lot of people expect that when you buy a game you’re done. Crazy, right?
Bloom Effects – Not everyone owns a pair of sunglasses. Or has them readily available when a game with the bloom effect starts up. Looking directly at games with too much bloom could cause permanent damage to your vision. Plus, if you suffer from migraines… Holy shit!
Based on Movie & Reboot - These two are pretty similar. Odds are if its based on a movie, it’s crap. And most video game franchise reboots don’t try fix the problems of yesteryear and bring a title to the modern age. But simply try recapture some magical spark that someone else created and usually fail miserably trying.
Thinking - A lot of us just want mindless entertainment and nothing else. If we wanted to think, we’d read a book. No Madden title would ever carry this stamp.
Waste of Money – Now this is a descriptor that I can really get behind. I’d love to pick a game and know instantly whether it was a waste of time or not. Reviews can be bias or misleading. But developers know whether or not their product is a turd or not. And so should we before we potentially buy it.
Guy Named Marcus – You need to warn people if a guy named Marcus is in a game or not. Statistically games that have someone with Marcus in their name it it tend to kick ass. People should have the right to know if they’re in for some ass kicking.
- Adam “Kane” Marcus – Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
- James Marcus – Resident Evil Zero, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
- Marcus (mayor of Broken Hills) – Fallout 2, Fallout Radioactive
- Marcus (commander of the Knights of Pherae) – Fire Emblem, Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi
- Marcus Brody – Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures, Indiana Jones’ Greatest Adventures, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis
- Marcus Camby – NBA 2K9, NBA Live 09, NBA 09 The Inside, NBA 2K8, NBA Live 08, NBA ’08
- Marcus Cor Von - WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008
- Marcus Fenix – Gears of War, Gears of War 2
- Marcus Reed – True Crime: New York City
September 10, 2009 at 3:08 am #
Omfg, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I’m European, I see those signs all the time, and I approve of this article.
September 10, 2009 at 8:23 am #
As a person named Marcus, I approve of these suggestions. Can’t forget one of the OGs, the guy I was named after: Marcus Aurelius. Philosopher, author, and last great emporer of Rome. Remember Gladiator? Marcus is the 70 year old man on the battlefield in the beginning. A guy so awesome his real son can’t live up to him so he wants to make Russel Crowe erm Maximus Decimus Beridius his son.
September 10, 2009 at 12:06 pm #
Great article. You need to add a few though: “Shovelware”, which I think is a worse rating than “Waste of money,” you also need “lens flare” in addition to “bloom effect.” And I think we all could really use either a “worthless AI” warning sticker, or a “this game includes escort missions.” Shudder.
By the way, I was wondering if I could link this page to my blog, http://www.queensforgottenchildren.blogspot.com. It’s about my American outlook on all things British. Right now it’s focused on British TV, but I want to expand into things like video games too, being an avid gamer myself.
Anyway, great article!
September 11, 2009 at 11:54 am #
Love the idea of the worthless AI one, definite requirement. Would also go for a ‘Trophy Whore’ PEGI (i’m looking at you Terminator Salvation).
September 13, 2009 at 11:49 pm #
Would all sports games get the escort missions sticker?
Also, worthless AI, that needs to be added. Many a potential good game has been ruined by the worthless AI.
September 14, 2009 at 9:01 pm #
The AI thing is a must. In games like that the AI tend to be either brain dead or omnipotent. I like that not taking the trail for fear of being shot to hell and back is a good stealth mechanic, but when enemy snipers can jedi-frag you through trees and bushes, then the consumer needs to be warned.
September 16, 2009 at 6:21 pm #
You forgot Marcus from Final Fantasy 9. He’s not a main party member, but he’s in an awesome game, so therefore the theory holds true.