Beschwerden und Durchsetzungsfälle

Im Laufe der Jahre haben sich der PEGI-Beschwerdeausschuss und der -Vollzugsausschuss mit zahlreichen Fällen befasst, in denen die Einstufung eines Spiels oder die Einstufungskriterien eine eingehendere Untersuchung und Diskussion erforderten. Ein Ad-hoc-Komitee des Beschwerdeausschusses (AHCB) befasst sich mit Beschwerden, die von Verbrauchern oder Publishern bezüglich einer Altersfreigabe für ein Spiel eingereicht werden, während der Vollzugsausschuss über die Einhaltung der Bestimmungen des PEGI-Verhaltenskodex wacht.

Die Entscheidungen dieser Ausschüsse werden automatisch an die PEGI-Expertengruppe weitergeleitet. Dadurch wird sichergestellt, dass Fehler, Fehlinterpretationen oder Unstimmigkeiten in den PEGI-Kriterien korrigiert werden, damit die gleiche Situation kein zweites Mal auftreten kann. Dieser Ansatz hat die Anzahl der Fälle im Laufe der Jahre verringert und die Effizienz der PEGI-Kriterien erheblich verbessert. 

2023:

  • Diablo Immortal (Activision Blizzard)
  • Hunt: Showdown Bounty Hunter - Limited Edition (Plaion)

Both games were published in 2022 and although they contain paid random items (like loot boxes or card packs), this was not disclosed to PEGI when the games were submitted for a rating license. Since this amounts to a violation of the rules described in the PEGI Code of Conduct, the PEGI Enforcement Committee sanctioned both companies with a fine of 5000€. The companies had also taken immediate action to update relevant store listings and marketing materials.

2022:

  • 80 Days and Overboard! (United Games Entertainment) : PEGI 18 upheld

The game is a text-based adventure game which was given a PEGI 18 rating for simulated gambling. The publisher appealed the decision and claimed that the context in which the simulation of gambling takes place makes the game fall short of the criterion. The AHCB disagreed and said that the game essentially teaches the rules of a game that can be played in casinos, which is accurately matches the text of the applicable criterion. 

2021:

  • Ruined King (Riot Games) : PEGI 16 upheld

The game contained an execution-style killing, which was deemed unsuitable for PEGI 12. Publisher Riot Games appealed the decision on the grounds that the context in which the killing took place made it suitable for younger players. The AHCB upheld the decision by the PEGI Administrators citing that context is not a factor in applying a classification criterion or awarding an age rating.

2020:

  • Stardew Valley (Chucklefish / 505 Games) : changed from PEGI 7 to PEGI 12

When the game was originally submitted, a particular portion of the game displaying casino games (blackjack and slot machines), was not disclosed and therefore not included in the original content assessment. A more recent review revealed that this content was present in the game, resulting in an override of the original rating. 

  • Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (SEGA) : PEGI 12 upheld

The publisher argued that the rating should be PEGI 7 because the game includes arcade-style gameplay, the violence is not comparable to fighting games like Streetfighter, and the game provides a less visceral experience compared to other sports games.

The AHCB decided to uphold the PEGI 12 rating because it was based on the realistic depictions of violence in boxing and judo, as described in the criterion "depictions of sporting action showing violence". The fighting is often detailed in slow motion, including multiple instances of hard punching, while accompanied by sound of fighters suffering pain.

2019:

no cases

2018:

no cases

2017:

  • ARMS (Nintendo) : PEGI 12 upheld

ARMS is a fighting game in the beat ‘m up genre. The gameplay revolves around hand-to-hand combat. The criterion outlined in question 33 of the PEGI questionnaire was deemed inapplicable, as the help text of question 33 explicitly refers to question 22 in the case of beat ‘m up (“If the game focuses solely on hand to hand combat (‘beat em up’ genre), question 22 may be more appropriate (e.g. Dragon Ball Z, Street Fighter, King of Fighters, etc)”).

The AHCB concluded that question 22 is more appropriate for this game (Depictions of non-realistic looking violence towards human-like or animal-like characters). The rating of PEGI 12 (Violence) was upheld.

  • Destiny 2 (Activision) : PEGI 18 upheld

The AHCB agreed with the PEGI administrator that due to a character  being restrained while violence is taking place, it meets the criteria for questions 1 and 3 in the PEGI questionnaire. Question 1 explicitly mentions ‘physical torture’, while question 3 explicitly mentions ‘violence toward defenceless human-like characters.’ Both questions apply correctly, resulting in the PEGI 18 classification.

2016:

no cases

2015:

no cases

2014:

  • Surgeon Simulator (Bossa Studio) : PEGI 18 upheld
  • Infinity 2 (Disney Interactive) : changed from PEGI 12 to PEGI 7

2013:

  • Spellforce 2 (Nordic Games) : changed from PEGI 16 to PEGI 12
  • Way of the Dogg (505 Games) : PEGI 16 upheld
  • Draw Slasher (Mass Creation) : PEGI 16 upheld
  • Battlefield Heroes (Electronic Arts) : PEGI 16 upheld

2012:

  • Alan Wake (Microsoft Studios) PEGI 18 upheld
  • NHL 13 (Electronic Arts) : changed from PEGI 16 to PEGI 12
  • LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars (Activision) : PEGI 7 upheld

2011:

  • Inazuma Eleven 2: Firestorm (Nintendo) : PEGI 12 upheld
  • Sims Medieval (Electronic Arts) : changed from PEGI 16 to PEGI 12
  • Diablo III (Activision) : changed from PEGI 18 to PEGI 16

2010:

  • Metroid Other M (Nintendo) : PEGI 16 upheld

2009:

  • Suske en Wiske: de Texasrakkers (Foreign Media Games) : changed from PEGI 12 to PEGI 7
  • Scrabble 2009 (Ubisoft) : changed from PEGI 16 to PEGI 12
  • Barbie & 3 Musketeers (Activision) : changed from PEGI 12 to PEGI 7

2008:

  • Star Wars: Clone Wars (Activision) : PEGI 12 upheld
  • Piraten - Volle Breitseite (Hamburger Medien Haus) : changed from PEGI 7 to PEGI 3
  • LEGO Indiana Jones (Activision) : changed from PEGI 12 to PEGI 7
  • Animal Crossing: Wild World (Nintendo) : changed from PEGI 12 to PEGI 7

2007:

  • Zack & Wiki (Capcom) : changed from PEGI 12 to PEGI 7
  • Test Drive Unlimited (Atari) : changed from PEGI 3 to PEGI 12
  • Power Rangers (Disney Interactive Studios) : PEGI 12 upheld
  • Pokémon Battle Revolution (Nintendo) : PEGI 7 upheld
  • Global Conflict Palestine (DTP Entertainment) : changed from PEGI 16 to PEGI 12
  • Scrabble 2007 (Nintendo) : changed from PEGI 12 to PEGI 3

2006:

  • Trauma Center (Nintendo) : changed from PEGI 7 to PEGI 12
  • Kirikou (Emme) : PEGI 7 upheld
  • Shrek 3 (Activision) : changed from PEGI 12 to PEGI 7
  • Need for Speed: Most Wanted (Electronic Arts) : changed from PEGI 7 to PEGI 12

2005:

no cases

2004:

  • Atlantis 3 (DreamCatcher) : changed from PEGI 3 to PEGI 12