After my last post I decided to give PEGI an email to see if they would consider creating a label to indicate the presence of subtitles in a game. Unfortunately it’s not something that they want to do.
“… although we can really see that it would be of great value to know whether or not a game has subtitles, we do not think this would be a task for PEGI. Adding a new descriptor to indicate whether or not a game has subtitles, could possibly be confusing to parents and other caretakers and this is in conflict with the main purpose of PEGI: to inform them about possible harmful content. So unfortunately, we will not be introducing a new descriptor for this.”
It’s a disappointing if not altogether surprising response. I can’t see how it would be confusing to let parents know if a game is subtitled however. I’m pretty sure parents of deaf or hard of hearing children would appreciate it at the very least.
Confusing? Confusing how? It’s already understood on a DVD cover, I don’t think there is much difference for a Video Game cover? Way to patronise your audience! Although they obviously feel this isn’t something they consider to be their responsibility as they stage which is a shame. Whose is it then?
I suppose it’s the responsibility of each publisher to state whether a game has subtitles or not. I’ll email a selection of the publishers and see what they say. Whilst they probably won’t mind saying if a game is subtitled, I can’t see many wishing to declare if a game isn’t subtitled.
Strongly agree with iheartsutbtitles. . ‘cos DVD covers has got subtitles labels. It would make a BIG different for Deaf Gamers.