Virtual reality is coming next year and ratings boards are already planning ahead for the introduction of far more immersive experiences. Unsurprisingly, "fear" is high on the agenda and European board PEGI has discussed looking at changing at horror ratings accordingly.
Speaking to MCV, PEGI operations director Dirk Bosmans has said “PEGI should examine the coming wave of VR products using the current questionnaire [system], but reserve the right to reassess certain elements – more specifically the criteria around fear (currently rated PEGI 7) and horror (as in non-violent scary imagery, currently rated PEGI 12) – once a broader range of products hits the market in the coming period of time.” This supports Sony President Shuhei Yoshida's statements from Paris Games Week stating that new ratings systems might be required for particularly scary experiences.
It's the start of something special when it comes to horror gaming. No matter how immersive they are, movies and games always have a screen between us and the action. We’re always safe. Virtual reality hacks that barrier down with an axe, screaming, “Here’s VR!” This is where horror gets serious. Outlast? Until Dawn? They let you hug cushions when you get too scared. All I can do in Kitchen is cower when something wielding a knife gets far too close for comfort.
With the right visuals and sounds, we’re predisposed to believe anything. Think for a second about the sounds of P.T. – the fridge, the radio… Now imagine that feeling you just got and think about being fully trapped in that world. The lack of control. The urge to move forward vs the desire to stay still. True horror in the dark. This is what’s to come. And it's incredible. But rating it accordingly? That's probably for the best too.
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