PEGI’s number is the game’s age category; its content descriptors explain which content elements or interactive risks are present. The Violence, Bad Language and Sex descriptors are clues to the kind of material involved—not a full account of every scene. Read them alongside the age category and the advice on the specific game’s PEGI entry.
What a PEGI descriptor tells you
PEGI’s descriptors explain why a game received its rating and identify content elements or interactive risks associated with it. The age category and descriptor serve different purposes: the category gives PEGI’s age guidance, while a descriptor identifies a relevant type of content or risk. An icon does not by itself tell you how often something occurs or describe every scene.
PEGI’s current “What do the labels mean?” guidance defines the descriptors. For a particular game, check its PEGI entry for the category, descriptors and title-specific advice rather than inferring details from a general icon.
What does the PEGI Violence descriptor mean?
PEGI’s Violence descriptor says, “The game contains depictions of violence.” The label alone does not indicate a single, uniform level of severity: PEGI’s guidance distinguishes the presentation, realism and targets of violence.
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- PEGI 7: Violence can only be non-realistic or non-detailed.
- PEGI 12: Violence can include fantasy violence or non-realistic violence towards human-like characters.
- PEGI 16 or 18: The described presentation of violence becomes increasingly realistic.
Other context also matters to the age category. PEGI says PEGI 18 may apply to gross violence, apparently motiveless killing, or violence towards defenceless characters. So the presence of a Violence descriptor is not, on its own, a complete description of what is shown or how it is presented.
What does PEGI say about bad language?
PEGI’s Bad Language descriptor says, “The game contains bad language.” Its guidance differentiates language by category: PEGI 12 may include mild swearing, while PEGI 16 may include strong language. PEGI 3 guidance says no bad language should be heard.
These definitions describe PEGI’s rating criteria; the descriptor does not provide a transcript or explain how often language occurs. Consult the specific game’s PEGI entry for its advice.
What does the PEGI Sex descriptor mean?
The Sex descriptor covers different kinds of sexual content, with distinctions across age categories:
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- PEGI 12: Sexual innuendo or posturing can be present.
- PEGI 16: Erotic nudity or sexual intercourse without visible genitals can be present.
- PEGI 18: Explicit sexual activity falls into this category.
Nudity by itself does not always require the Sex descriptor: PEGI says nudity in a non-sexual context does not require it. The descriptor therefore signals a content category, not a full scene-by-scene account.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the age category still matters
Do not read a descriptor in isolation. The age category reflects PEGI’s broader guidance, and the three descriptors discussed here do not cover every factor that can affect a rating. For example, PEGI says prominent gambling themes can be rated PEGI 12, while simulation of casino-style games of chance is PEGI 18. This illustrates why checking the category and the game’s other listed descriptors and advice gives a more useful picture than focusing on one icon.
Quick Recap
How to use descriptors when choosing a game
- Find the game’s PEGI entry. Use the title-specific listing to confirm its age category, descriptors and advice.
- Read each descriptor with the category. For Violence, consider PEGI’s distinctions about realism, targets and presentation; for Bad Language and Sex, note the kinds of content described at the relevant category.
- Decide in your household’s context. PEGI provides age guidance, not an individualized suitability decision for every child or family. If the listing leaves an important question unanswered, seek title-specific detail before deciding.
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