Dirk Bosmans, director general of Europe's PEGI age-ratings body, faced a personal dilemma when asked if he would allow his 15-year-old son to play the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6. The game, like its predecessors, carries a PEGI 18 rating, sparking debates on underage gaming. Bosmans emphasized informed parental decisions and upcoming changes to PEGI's classification system.
The Grand Theft Auto series has long been a flashpoint in discussions about age-appropriate gaming, with every installment rated PEGI 18 in Europe, indicating suitability only for adults. Despite this, the games remain popular among teenagers, fueled by peer pressure and cultural buzz. With Grand Theft Auto 6 set for release in November, the topic has resurfaced.
In a recent interview, Dirk Bosmans, director general of PEGI, shared insights into his own family dynamics. Bosmans has a 15-year-old son who finds his father's role "pretty cool" but recognizes potential restrictions. When asked directly if he would let his son play GTA 6, Bosmans replied, "I knew that question was going to come!" He acknowledged the challenge, noting, "My son said to me, 'Dad.' It was like, 'I'm screwed, right? My dad's the director of PEGI.'"
Bosmans highlighted PEGI's mission to guide parents toward informed choices. "If a parent looks at the PEGI age and then says, 'That game is a 16 but my 14-year-old is old enough to play this game,' that's an informed decision," he explained. He stressed alternatives, pointing out that for every restricted game, there are many age-appropriate options that can be equally engaging. Peer pressure, however, complicates matters, especially with an event like GTA 6.
The delay of GTA 6 provided some relief for Bosmans. "I have to admit, I was very grateful for the delay of GTA 6," he said, laughing. He admitted it might still arrive too soon for his son. To manage this, Bosmans advocates open conversations over strict adherence to ratings. "Rather than strictly following the age classification, having the conversation with the kid is the most important thing," he advised. Playing games together, he added, can reveal their depth, using Minecraft as an example where children offer detailed explanations.
The interview also touched on significant updates to PEGI's system, effective from June. In-game purchases, such as paid random items like loot boxes, will now influence ratings, potentially assigning an automatic PEGI 16 to affected titles. Games like EA Sports FC, currently rated PEGI 3, may see changes, though most titles will remain unaffected.
Bosmans shared a lighter note about his own gaming habits, mentioning he has not yet played Hades 2 despite loving the first Hades, which he used to teach his son Greek mythology. This delay tactic might help extend the wait for GTA 6.
