Molouk Y. Ba-Isa

Saudi Gazette

 

Most kids enjoy playing video games and there are so many out there. Video games come in different genres or types based on the way the game is played. There are role playing games, puzzle games, first-person shooters – the list is very long. In the different types of games the content can vary. Some games are educational. Others make you laugh. A lot of games are about killing and have plenty of violence.



Many games shouldn’t be experienced by young children. This means they shouldn’t be playing the game or watching others play the game. It’s the norm though in many families that a young child will watch his older brother or sister play, and that might not be good.



Video games come with content ratings, either printed in a rectangle on the game box or displayed on the screen before the game begins. Rating categories suggest the minimum age at which a person should play or experience the game. The two most common rating systems that are seen in Saudi Arabia are the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) and the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). In the PEGI content rating system, the age categories are:



PEGI 3 - These games are suitable for all age groups.



PEGI 7 - Any game that would be rated at age 3, but contains some possibly frightening scenes or sounds.



PEGI 12 – Only preteens aged 12 or above should play games rated PEGI 12. These games may have violence or nudity.



PEGI 16 – These games have negative activities that look the same as would be expected in real life.



There are also games rates PEGI 18, which are only for adults.



The ESRB content ratings are slightly different, but still based on age:



eC – These games are for young children.



E – Game content is suitable for all ages.



E10+ - Only children 10 years old and above should play these games because they contain some cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, and not the best language.



TEEN – These games are only for ages 13 and above. Games rated “TEEN,” often contain negative activities shown realistically.



Older brothers and sisters need to take the game ratings seriously and protect their younger siblings. If a game is rated “TEEN,” then a five year old shouldn’t be watching while it’s played. And if you see your baby brother playing a game rated PEGI12, advise your parents that they should understand the ratings better and put the games for older players out of reach.