The pan-European Game Information Age Ratings Body (PEGI) recently introduced four new categories that the body considers when rating video games. These are: in-app purchases, paid random items, play by appointment, and online community.
This is an example of a rule that is starting to catch on to the various innovations we've seen in the gaming industry over the past decade. There are more ways to extort someone's money post-purchase than ever before, and some legislation is beginning to reflect that reality.
For example, random chance loot boxes are completely banned in Belgium, while the New York Attorney General's office is trying to sue Valve over its loot box equivalent: cases.
In an interview with Eurogamer, PEGI Director General Dirk Bosman elaborated on the strategic objectives of these new categories, but he also faced a question that many parents are probably grappling with: will he allow his 15-year-old son to play Grand Theft Auto 6 when it's released?
The Bosmans understand peer pressure, and believe in proactive parenting
“I knew That question was coming!” Boseman responded. “Look, I'm the director of PEGI, my son called me 'Dad,' it was like, 'I'm spoiled, aren't I? My father is the director of PEGI.”
“His dad thinks it's great that he has this job, but he also sees, well, he might have some restrictions. But we've always been able to show him that for every sport he wants to play – because there's also peer pressure – there are 17, not 170 or 1700 other sports, which are appropriate for his age, that are not really fun.
Bosmans realizes this won't solve the problem when the game in question is Grand Theft Auto 6, possibly the most anticipated game (besides another Viva Piñata, of course).
“It doesn't eliminate the whole problem, because peer pressure isn't necessarily the best or the best or the best game, it's just: other kids play it. So with GTA 6, that's going to happen,” Bosman admitted.
He says PEGI's mission is to inform parents and ultimately each parent will make their own decision. He recommends active parenting, sitting down and watching your kids play specific games to see what they enjoy and share in their passion. For Boseman, Hades provided his son with an opportunity to teach him Greek mythology. Every decision should be made carefully, rather than caring parents letting their children play with whatever they want.
“They won't stop talking about Minecraft. They'll go on and on. You'll get master classes about Minecraft, and it can really show you why they're so invested in it, because it's so much deeper than you think about video games. And then, if you have that conversation, you're probably talking to them about screen time.” when “The timing for the game might be a little easier,” Bosman advised.
It's definitely a positive feeling, even if Boseman rejected my playthrough of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas when I was 10 years old. As I always say, when bats threaten your field, age is irrelevant.
