India Urged to Adopt Standardised Age-Rating for Games, Says AIGDF Report

India needs a standardised age-rating system for games to protect users from content-related harms and foster a regulated gaming sector, according to an All India Game Developers Forum (AIGDF) report released on Tuesday. The amended IT Rules 2021 mandate measures to safeguard children, including classifying online games through age-rating mechanisms, but these rules are yet to be implemented.

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Despite having around 425 million gamers and increasing gaming content consumption, India lacks a standardised age-rating framework. This is unlike other digital content sectors such as OTT platforms and frameworks in other regions, the report highlighted. The absence of a domestic rating system has led publishers and operators to adopt foreign-origin rating systems for categorising their content.

Benefits and Risks of Gaming

The AIGDF report noted that the gaming ecosystem offers numerous benefits to younger users. These include opportunities to enhance creativity, improve problem-solving skills, and boost cognition and visual processing. However, not all gaming content is suitable for all age groups, and unregulated digital services like gaming can pose potential harms.

Unregulated cyberspace content risks to minors are well documented. Therefore, regulated industry practices across the gaming sector can play a crucial role in ensuring children's safety and mental well-being, the report stated. Indian consumers might find a domestic rating system more familiar and comfortable, using locally understood terminology and criteria.

Need for Domestic Rating System

The report pointed out that despite the popularity of foreign-origin content rating systems, they cannot replace the utility of a domestic system for gaming. A local rating system would be more effective in categorising content for distribution within India.

AIGDF spokesperson Roland Landers emphasised the importance of establishing a robust framework to protect younger gamers as India's gaming industry grows rapidly. "By looking at global best practices, such as parental controls and age verification systems, we can find solutions that protect players without hampering growth," he said.

"We are committed to working closely with all stakeholders -- players, parents, developers, and regulators -- to ensure that the gaming industry in India continues to flourish in a responsible and sustainable manner," Landers added.

In conclusion, the development of a standardised age-rating system is essential for safeguarding children from inappropriate content while promoting responsible gaming practices in India.