Proposal: New "mood" descriptors in line with PEGI/USK ratings

[fpiesche]

In order to allow OARS to be useful for a wider range of users, I would propose the introduction of a new "mood" category of classifiers, consisting of an "intensity" and a "fear" classifier to begin with; these apply more to games than applications but could also be applied to other media content.

My rationale is this:

• Content can be frightening or unsettling without being expressly violent. PEGI acknowledges this by having a separate "Fear" content descriptor (and an elevated version thereof, "Horror"). This doesn't really apply to applications but would allow developers of games with such content to flag it.
• "Intensity" is a factor in how media content impacts viewers. The German USK takes this into consideration in its age ratings for videogames and I believe to some degree so does the German FSK for films. Low overall age ratings by the USK generally indicate that the content is simple enough in its structure and slow-paced enough to not overwhelm younger children, e.g. by making sure not to put too much pressure to act on the player or not exposing them to constant rapid sequences of exciting content. As I've personally grown older I've come to more appreciate less intense films and games for myself so having this as an explicit descriptor feels to me like it could be useful. Additionally I know a number of people with sensory processing issues or other conditions that means they can easily get overwhelmed by media that's too "intense", which again feels like user groups that would benefit from the information conveyed by a general rating there.

I've come up with roughly this breakdown:

General intensity

A summary of the general intensity of the content, e.g. the pacing of a piece of media or pressure to act on the player in a videogame. Heated arguments between characters being a major part of the work, or rapid sequences of tense scenes increase the perceived "intensity" of a work, and conflict-oriented content should be considered more intense than non-competitive (e.g. solo versus competitive sports).

This is taken into consideration by e.g. the German USK video games rating authority in their age ratings. The classifications here roughly coincide with the USK 0, 12, 16 and 18 ratings.

• None: No significant pressure and a complexity and tone of content that would be suitable for young children.
• Mild: Faster pace and more pressure; conflict presented is non-violent or staged to be clearly recognisable as fiction.
• Moderate: Rapid pacing and aggressive conflict.
• Intense: High-pressure pacing; games forcing players to put themselves in danger.

Fear

Whether the content includes elements frightening or threatening to the person using/viewing/playing the content.

• None
• Mild: Content that might unsettle or frighten people with particular sensitivities or young children.
• Moderate: Moderate use of content specifically intended to create a frightening mood.
• Intense: Heavy use of content specifically intended to frighten the viewer/user/player.

[hughsie]

@cassidyjames what do you think? Seems okay from my point of view.

[cassidyjames]

@hughsie this also makes sense to me for games! Do we think it's okay to be game-specific with these, or is there any way to make them relevant/useful for non-game apps?