Age ratings in games?

They is likely because they are different rating boards, the original version was rated by BBFC rating whereas the version PS3 was rated by PEGI.

Does anyone else think the way they rate games these days [in terms of age suitability] is a bit over the top?

Officially you need to be at least 16 years old to be able to buy the majority of ps4 games these days

I've noticed they rate-up games way harsher than they used to:

Look at how Resident Evil 0 has been bumped up [same game, direct port]

gamecube original: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Capcom-Resident-Evil-Zero-GameCube/dp/B00006TAQU/ref=pd_sbs_63_1/261-5456001-6391243?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00006TAQU&pd_rd_r=5566ab6a-d904-490b-a611-cdc1c5c331af&pd_rd_w=9Fypw&pd_rd_wg=b3MXP&pf_rd_p=f4a31d1d-8f61-48f5-b6f4-a22ba06df575&pf_rd_r=6YYTZGG331HQ1B8NZNKJ&psc=1&refRID=6YYTZGG331HQ1B8NZNKJ

ps3 version

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resident-Evil-PS3-PSN-Code/dp/B01B3QW3UY/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=resident+evil+0+ps3&qid=1576059907&sr=8-3

*where has the extra 3 yrs come from??



I find it challenging to find my nephew any decent games as gifts, because he's officially too young for most of them and the parents are pretty strict when it comes to age related stuff

They is likely because they are different rating boards, the original version was rated by BBFC rating whereas the version PS3 was rated by PEGI.

I have never paid any attention to age rating.

I would say this and the fact that the graphics are waaay more realistic and gory now.

My dad never cared about age ratings so we got to play whatever we wanted. Age ratings are flawed, there isn't some universal trait that changes with age. Some people can handle it and others don't like it, not really worth paying mind to.

can't you buy him another gift like a game accessory?

literally no one cares about age ratings. No one pays attention so who really cares, it could be rated a 12 or a 99 but it wouldn't make any difference

There are quite a few parents who don't care, yes. I mean, I got the impression that most of my friends parents at school didn't care, But there are definitely some that do.

I just think it's a shame how games are rated these days tbh, as some kids will be left out experiencing good titles......

PEGI seem too harsh imo.
Regarding the graphics, in the resident evil example I posted in the OP there's little difference in terms of graphics, it's a port basically.

I just think these PEGI people are more conservative.

anyone know the reason from the switch from BBFC to PEGI?

PEGI in the European equivalent of the ESRB. PEGI is a Europe wide standard for all games sold in the area. I am unsure of the reason for the switch over.

It seems that the PS3 version is an HD remaster which is what bumped up the rating.

Nah I wasn't talking about the parents I meant the actual people who are playing them. I'm 16 and I've been playing games like COD, CS:GO and R6S for years and I couldn't care less.

My parents always give the whole "it will have an affect on you" (code for you'll start shooting people in real life) but so far I have absolutely 0 wish to shoot people in real life for the hell of it

anyone know the reason from the switch from BBFC to PEGI?

Literally all kids will not care about ratings as they just want to play the games, but ultimately if a kid has game that his parents think is unsuitable they'll often just take it away.

Game Shops seem to care about ratings too, I remember buying the original God of War back in the day and being asked about my age by the cashier, and a few yrs ago in a shop saw an adult buying his son an 18 rated game and the cashier trying to put him off buying it. I think a kid would may have trouble possibly buying a game above his age range.

I remember when I was 17, they started increasing the size of the game ratings on games to like 2 or 3 times the size they used to be. I think it was around that time they started to get harsher........

I'm ngl though, after heavily playing gta 3 or gta vice city at 17 [can't remember which], I did start feeling an urge to slam drivers heads against the steering wheel and car jack people at traffic lights ..lol

interesting link.

how can a HD remaster bump it up by 3 years though?
Hardly anything has changed essentially. I think somewhere between 2009 and 2016 PEGI just got more conservative because that site said it rated 2 previous versions of the game 16, which was closer to the BBFC rating of 15

PEGI are a guideline and not legally binding age ratings. Shops may refuse to sell games with a PEGI age rating to somebody younger on the grounds of morality and honesty in business but they are not required by law to do so. BBFC age ratings are legally binding so shops which sell games to somebody younger are breaking the law and may be prosecuted.


Also notice how PEGI age ratings are squares and BBFC age ratings are circles.

Video games are not required by law to have age ratings unless they include high definition violence or pornography etc. comparable to that in a film which would require an age rating.