Game Writers SIG/Initiatives/Censorship
International Game Developers Association
Table of contents |
[edit] Details
Many game writers are frustrated that there are no real guidelines for what they can write and what they can't.
[edit] Plan of Action
- contact the ESRB and various retailers to see what their standard are
- compile this information into a public database
[edit] Volunteers
- Ed Kuehnel
- Chris Bateman - I've managed to get the PEGI ratings which apply in Europe. These are posted below.
- Your name here!
[edit] Research Items
[edit] PEGI Ratings (for Europe)
PEGI rating: 12+ Bad Language
Mild swearing
(This will mean language that falls short of sexual expletives and, although not exhaustive, would include words and expressions such as damn, hell, bloody, son-of-a-bitch, sod, tart, crap, bugger, screw, arse, slag, tosser, dickhead, bitch, shit, piss off, whore, arsehole, prick, bollocks, twat, bastard, wanker and shag. It would also include God and Christ if used in a context that could be considered swearing.)
PEGI rating: 16+ Bad Language
Sexual expletives or blasphemy
(Sexual expletives cover those words considered extreme bad language such as fuck, cunt, motherfucker and cocksucker although the list is not exhaustive.
Blasphemy will include all irreverent depictions or words concerning sacred matters or religious beliefs (not restricted to the Christian faith). It should be remembered that in most countries blasphemy is likely to be a criminal offence.)
PEGI rating: 18+ Bad Language
In case a game already requires an 18+ PEGI rating based on one of the other content categories such as Violence, Sex, Drugs, Discrimination, a Bad Language descriptor is also added to the final rating in case the game contains ‘Sexual expletives or blasphemy’ as mentioned above under the 16+ age category.
[edit] BBC Guidelines for Bad Language
Kim Plowright has provided this link to the BBC's advisory on the use of bad language in their productions:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/assets/research/ranking.doc
[edit] Current Status
- PEGI rating information (for European releases) has been acquired
- Added BBC guidelines for bad language
- Awaiting equivalent information from ESRB. It does exist, but it may not be available as public data.
