Video Games
Media Studies: Eduqas GCSE, topic 3.1.1
Video Games: Regulation
Video games have adapted with the advancements in technology and can now be accessed on many platforms including consoles, computers and mobile devices.
Regulation
- Video games are regulated by VSC, Video Standards Council.
- The VSC use the PEGI (Pan-European Games Information ) rating system.
Age ratings and categories
- Within PEGI, there are 5 age ratings:
- 3, 7, 12, 16 and 18.
- The categories the games are judged on include:
- Bad language, discrimination, drugs, fear, gambling, sex and violence.
Regulation
- As video games are able to be downloaded and streamed digitally, it has made regulating them harder as there is not the human sales exchange to monitor purchase suitability.
- Because of the difficulty in regulation, video games are often criticised for encouraging violence within their audience, particularly their younger, more impressionable audience members.
Changes to the Video Game Industry
Video games have adapted with the advancements in technology and can now be accessed on many platforms including consoles, computers and mobile devices
Advancement
- Video games have changed drastically over time due to the advancement of technology.
- While other industries such as print and film have experienced a decline in sales, Video Games have been rapidly on the increase.
Adaptions
- Video games have adapted to include in-game purchases which drive revenue even further.
- Video games can now incorporate online game play, meaning there are more possibilities in the game.
Industry value
- The British video game industry is now worth more than the British Film and Music industry put together.
- In 2016 the video game industry gained over $38 billion in revenue.
Test yourself on Video Games
What does VSC stand for in relation to video games?
Why has regulating video games become harder?