New age-rating symbols will now appear on computer games, following an initiative from the film censor's office and Sony Computer Entertainment Ire land.
Details of the new system were launched by the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, yesterday.
The age-rating system is voluntary and was introduced to inform parents of the suitability of computer games for their children. It will appear in a clear and prominent position on the packaging of the computer games and on the games themselves.
Computer games will be classified as suitable for three years and over; 11 years and over; 15 years and over and 18 years and over. The age category indicates suitability in terms of violence, sex, criminal activity or language. It does not relate to the complexity of the game.
While the initiative is voluntary, Sony said it would work with retailers to "hammer the message home to parents". Mr Niall O'Hanrahan, managing director of Sony Computer Entertainment Ireland, said Ireland was second only to Japan for per capita ownership of Play Station. "So with more than 520,000 consoles in place, an effective age-rating system for games is imperative," he said.
Under the provisions of the Video Recordings Act, 1989 computer games are exempt from classification and certification by the film censor unless the game would be likely to cause violence, stir up hatred or corrupt the viewer.
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