Responding to Dr., Tanya Byron's findings that parents in the United
Kingdom don't seem to be familiar with the PEGI rating symbols, the
Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) are
introducing a traffic light system, reasoning that parents know that
green means go, yellow means caution, and red means stop. Obviously
they've never driven in my Atlanta suburb before, where yellow means
"Go faster" and red means "Oh screw it, I'm late for pilates!"
“The world of gaming is fast moving and it is vital that we
have a clear ratings system that is up to date with consumers’ needs.
It has already been proven that everyone understands traffic light
labelling, making it the perfect scheme for the industry to adopt.”
I suppose if the bright colors fail they can always force publishers
to shape the game boxes based on the ratings, forcing parents to push
them through the correct hole in order to buy them. Hit the jump for a
larger version of this new, possibly but not actually parent-proof
system.
Video Games Industry Planning to Release 'Traffic Light' Ratings System
Tuesday 28th October/... In a move mirroring efforts by food
manufacturers and retailers to give consumers a clear and easy way to
understand food content, the games industry is close to launching a
traffic light system for the ratings on video games. As the government
gears up to close its consultation into video games ratings on November
20, the industry has responded to observations made by Dr Tanya Byron
in her report that there is a lack of consumer awareness of the PEGI
rating symbols. The industry feels the by employing a traffic light
system that is simple to understand it will be effective in combating
any confusion previously felt by consumers. The new system has been
designed to give parents ‘at a glance’ indicators of the age
appropriateness of any game’s content.
An industry source said, “Video gaming is one of the UK’s best
performing sectors and a rare economic success in today’s gloomy
environment, with retailers announcing record profits and government
ministers describing gaming as ‘the most important part of what we call
the Creative Industries’.
“The world of gaming is fast moving and it is vital that we have a
clear ratings system that is up to date with consumers’ needs. It has
already been proven that everyone understands traffic light labelling,
making it the perfect scheme for the industry to adopt.”