Electronic GAMES
The term 'electronic game' includes games played on consoles, computers, or any other electronic device.
Under the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993, electronic games fall under the definition of films and must be labelled before supply to the public. However, the labelling requirement only applies to restricted level games as section 8(1)(q) of the Act exempts unrestricted level games (G, PG and M) from labelling.
Therefore:
- Unrestricted level games can carry an overseas label showing their unrestricted rating, or can carry a New Zealand label.
- Games restricted in Australia (or, if unclassified in Australia, those games likely to be restricted in New Zealand) must be classified by the Office of Film and Literature Classification and if restricted by the Classification Office must have a New Zealand label before they can be supplied.
- Games supplied to the New Zealand public via download must comply with New Zealand law.
Where games are submitted for classification, the Classification Office needs to view enough of the game to be satisfied that the publication warrants a particular classification. This means a substantial portion of the game will be examined. The Classification Office uses an expert gamer to play the game while a Classification Officer examines it against the criteria in the Classification Act. Cheat sheets and walk-throughs supplied by the applicant are sometimes used.
If you wish to submit a game for classification, more detailed information is provided on this information sheet.
Games Newsletter
The Classification Office provides a monthly newsletter to games distributors and other industry members on recently classified games and aspects of the classification system relevant to those supplying games to the public.
January 2012 Games Update (pdf v9.0, 285 kb)
Classified games to 31 December 2011 (Excel 128 kb)
Games labels guide
You can download the Guide to Video Game Labels (PDF, v7.0, 183kb)to find out more about the labels found on games available in New Zealand.
Contact the Information Unit to subscribe to the games newsletter or for further information about the classification of games.