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The rating system of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is the video game industry's version of the MPAA. Before a game is released to retail, it passes through the ESRB offices where the game is evaluated and assigned a rating based on its content. While games do not require a rating to be released, most retailers will not carry games that have not been rated by the ESRB, which ensures that the vast majority of video games receive a rating prior to release.
The ESRB ratings are as follows:
- EC (Early childhood) — No objectionable material and generally geared toward kids 3 or younger.
- E (Everyone) — Little to no objectionable content. May include some cartoon/fantasy violence or mischief. May include some mild language, but it would be rare.
- E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) — Similar to E-rated titles but with more frequency of cartoon/fantasy violence and mild language.
- T (Teen) — Aimed at gamers 13 years or older, T-rated games will have some violence, some mature language, possible drug and alcohol use or references, possible sexual references, and portrayal of common vices (gambling, tobacco, etc.)
- M (Mature) — Mature-rated games are meant for gamers 17 years or older. These games may contain graphic violence, heavy use of mature language, nudity, sexual content or other objectionable content.
- AO (Adults only) — Only meant for gamers 18 years and older, Adults-only games may contain extreme sexual content, graphic nudity and heavy violence. Currently, most retailers refuse to carry AO-rated video games. For a more-detailed look at the ESRB ratings, see the Game Ratings & Descriptor Guide on the ESRB website.
The ESRB rating system is quite similar to what the MPAA offers for movies released to theaters, home video and for online delivery. Here are the ESRB ratings broken down to where each rating would fall if given the MPAA treatment:
- G — The G rating would encompass EC, E and E10+ games safely. In fact, many G-rated films push their ratings a bit more than EC, E and some E10+ games generally will. Parents should have no reservations about allowing their children to play these games.
- PG — Many T-rated games would fall into the PG category, despite the warning that T-rated games are meant for 13-year-olds. However, because T is probably the most broad in its range of content, it's best to assume that T- rated games are beyond the scope of most PG movies. Currently there's no real analog for the PG rating in gaming.
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Click the link above if you are interested in contributing to the ksl.com Gamers Guide for Parents.- PG-13 — The bulk of T- rated games fit well here. Unlike with films, however, any nudity or graphic violence will not be allowed to attain this rating. T-rated games are on the more conservative end of the PG-13 rating, and parents should know that T-rated games will not contain occasional nudity as PG-13 movies sometimes portray.
- R — Most M-rated games would receive an R rating if they were acted out with live actors. Many of them would be within the PG-13 rating, but as a general rule, M-rated games contain content consistent with an R rating. Of all the ratings, M-rated games require the most parental discretion as their content can vary quite a lot.
- NC-17 — AO games would be the only video games that have been rated that would fit into the NC-17 mold. As these games generally don't make it to retail, they're rarely produced and are typically sold directly from the publisher to the consumer. Any AO-rated game would be unfit for a minor to play, just as an NC-17 film would be. Some games may be released without a rating, but like AO games, they aren't going to be carried by most retailers. These unrated games are generally indie projects, much like independent films that often escape the MPAA rating system. If a game is unrated, parents will need to take initiative to review the content before allowing their child to play.
While it has proven to be highly effective, the ESRB ratings are still just a guide. Each parent knows their child and knows what sort of content is appropriate for them and their level of maturity. It may not be possible to personally review everything your child plays, but it's a good idea to sit in with your child for a few minutes at a time at random intervals while they play. It won't take long to see if the game's content meets your expectations for the rating and whether or not your child is comfortable with you seeing what they are playing.
Finally, if your children know that you are likely to sit in on their gaming sessions, they'll be more mindful of the content they choose to play and bring into the home.
Jeff Rivera has been working as a video game journalist since 2002 for various online publications. He can be reached via email at jar155@gmail.com.
