Assassin's Creed: Valhalla - Global Regulation

Question 1

What can be said about regulation across the globe?

Answer 1

• Video Game regulation differs around the world but is becoming standardised across many European countries.

Question 2

Who regulates video games in the UK?

Answer 2

• In the UK until July 2012 video games had been regulated by the BBFC.
• They are now largely regulated by the Video Standards Council (VSC) who apply the PEGI system (Pan European Game Information.

Answer 3

• The PEGI system uses the process of age ratings alongside visual descriptors of content.
• This is so audiences (parents in particular) can have an understanding of the game content and make a judgement if they think it is suitable before purchasing the video game.

Question 4

What is NOT enforced when purchasing videogames online when it is in store?

Answer 4

Although legally enforced for the purchase of video game products within a retail environment, this is NOT legally enforced when making video game purchases online (through the Xbox Network or the PlayStation Network, for example).

Question 5

What is the rating of most AC games within the franchise?

Answer 5

Many of the video games within the Assassin’s Creed franchise are at least rated 16 according to the PEGI system - with most of these fulfilling the requirements of an 18 rated game.

Answer 6

This is the adult classification that is applied to video games when the level
of violence reaches a stage where it becomes depictions of gross violence, motiveless killing or violence towards defenceless characters.

Question 7

What do most AC games include to inform audiences about some of the content of the game before they play?

Answer 7

• Most AC games have visual descriptors to warn audience that the games feature violence and bad language predominantly.

Question 8

How violent are the games in the Assassin’s Creed franchise?

Answer 8

• Assassin’s Creed is a very violent game, containing many graphic battles and a combat system which relies on parries and (often brutal) counter-attacks.
• Many missions focus on the assassinations of defenceless or (sometimes seemingly) innocent characters
• Although the game is designed in a manner which will punish players who randomly kill multiple NPCs (non playable characters) by automatically failing the current mission