The ESRB ratings are designed to give consumers information about the content of an interactive video or computer entertainment title and for which ages it's appropriate. The ESRB ratings are not meant to tell you what to buy or rent or to serve as the only basis for choosing a product. Rather, consumers should use the ESRB ratings in conjunction with their own tastes and standards when purchasing or renting a video game.
Ratings: Consumers should look on the front of the package for the ESRB rating symbol, which gives information on ages for which the product is appropriate.
Content Descriptors: In addition to the rating, consumers should check for important content information (also called "descriptors") in the black-and-white box on the back of the package. These content descriptors give more details about the product in terms of violence, sexual themes, language, and other areas that may be of interest to some consumers.
Each product is rated by three independent, trained raters. The raters represent a wide range of backgrounds, races, and ages and have no ties to the interactive entertainment software industry. Raters include retired school principals, parents, professionals, and other individuals from all walks of life.
Rating Categories
Look for these ratings on the front of the package and, for more information, look for content descriptors on the back of the package.
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Early Childhood
Titles rated "Early Childhood (EC)" have content that may be suitable for children ages three and older and do not contain any material that parents would find inappropriate. |
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Kids to Adults
Titles rated "Kids to Adult (K-A)" have content that may be suitable for persons ages six and older. These titles will appeal to people of many ages and tastes. They may contain minimal violence, some comic mischief (for example, slapstick comedy), or some crude language. |
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Everyone
As of January 1, 1998, the new "Everyone" designation will replace the "Kids to Adults" rating. Titles rated "Everyone (E)" have content that may be suitable for persons ages six and older. These titles will appeal to people of many ages and tastes. They may contain minimal violence, some comic mischief (for example, slapstick comedy), or some crude language. |
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Teen
Titles rated "Teen (T)" have content that may be suitable for persons ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violent content, mild or strong language, and/or suggestive themes. |
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Mature
Titles rated "Mature (M)" have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. These products may include more intense violence or language than products in the Teen category. In addition, these titles may also include mature sexual themes. |
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Adults Only
Titles rated "Adults Only (AO)" have content suitable only for adults. These products may include graphic depictions of sex and/or violence. Adults Only products are not intended to be sold or rented to persons under the age of 18. |
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Rating Pending
Product has been submitted to the ESRB and is awaiting final rating. |
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When consumers look on the back of a package, they may see any of the following phrases that further describe the product's content.
Content Descriptors :
| Animated Blood |
Cartoon or pixilated depictions of blood. |
| Blood |
Depictions of blood. |
| Blood and Gore |
Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts. |
| Comic Mischief |
Scenes depicting slapstick or gross vulgar humor. |
| Edutainment |
Content of product provides user with specific skills development or reinforcement learning within an entertainment setting. Skill development is an integral part of product. |
| Gambling |
Betting like behavior. |
| Informational |
Overall content of product contains data, facts, resource information, reference materials or instructional text. |
| Mature Sexual Themes |
Provocative material, possibly including partial nudity. |
| Mild Language |
Depictions of blood. |
| Mild Lyrics |
Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts. |
| Mild Violence |
Scenes depicting slapstick or gross vulgar humor. |
| Nudity |
Content of product provides user with specific skills development or reinforcement learning within an entertainment setting. Skill development is an integral part of product. |
| Partial Nudity |
Brief and mild depictions of nudity. |
| Some Adult Assistance May Be Needed |
Early Childhood Descriptor only. |
| Strong Language |
Profanity and explicit references to sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use.. |
| Strong Lyrics |
Profanity and explicit references to sex, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music. |
| Strong Sexual Content |
Graphic depiction of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity. |
| Suggestive Themes |
Mild provocative references or materials. |
| Use of Drugs |
Use of drugs in a manner that condones or glorifies their use. |
| Use of Tobacco and/or Use of Alcohol |
Use of tobacco and/or alcohol in a manner that condones or glorifies their use. |
| Violence |
Scenes involving aggressive conflict. |
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Discontinued Content Descriptors that may still be in the market place:
| Gaming |
Betting-like behavior. |
| Mild Animated Violence |
Mild cartoon or pixilated scenes depicting animated characters in unsafe and/or violent situations. |
| Mild Realistic Violence |
Mild photographic-like detailed depictions of characters in unsafe and/or violent situations. |
| Animated Violence |
Cartoon or pixilated scenes depicting animated characters in unsafe and/or violent situations. |
| Realistic Violence |
Photographic-like detailed depictions of characters in unsafe and/or violent situations. |
| Animated Blood and Gore |
Cartoon or pixilated images of blood or the mutilation of body parts. |
| Realistic Blood and Gore |
Photographic-like detailed depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts. |
| Realistic Blood |
Photographic-like detailed depictions of blood. |
| Reading Skills, Fine Motor Skills, Higher-Level Thinking Skills |
These phrases are found only on products rated Early Childhood and indicate whether children's reading, computer, or other skills are used in these titles. |
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The foregoing represents all the content descriptors that currently may be found on the back of video game boxes. Some of these descriptors, however, are no longer used by the ESRB in rating and describing new games. For example, with respect to games containing violent content, the ESRB no longer uses the descriptors "mild animated violence," "mild realistic violence," "animated violence," "realistic violence," "animated blood and gore," "realistic blood and gore," or "realistic blood," in describing new games. New games containing violence use only the following: "violence," "mild violence," "blood," "blood and gore," and "animated blood." However, games that were rated when the now-discontinued descriptors were used by the ESRB still contain such descriptors on their packaging.
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