Entertainment Software Rating Board

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The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a self-regulatory organization that applies and enforces ratings, advertising guidelines, and online privacy principles for computer and video games in the United States and Canada (officially adopted by individual provinces 2004-2005). It was established in 1994 by the Interactive Digital Software Association. By early 2003, it had rated over 8,000 titles submitted by 350 publishers. Many believe that the ESRB may promote media restriction, while others think that it is necessary for software to have content ratings. The decision to found the ESRB was influenced by the graphic "fatality" killing moves of Mortal Kombat and other controversial video games depicting violent or sexual situations at the time, and by pressure from the United States government.

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Overview

The ESRB applies ratings to games based on their content, similar to the motion picture rating systems used in many countries. Their aim is to aid consumers in determining a game's content and suitability. A game's rating is displayed on its box, the media, in advertisements and on game web sites.

The rating has two parts: rating symbols and content descriptors. The rating symbols are usually found on the lower right or the lower left hand corner on the front of the box, they suggest what age group the game is best suited for. The content descriptors are found on the back of the box, usually in the lower left or right hand corner, they describe particular content elements that may be of interest or concern.

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Ratings

The symbols the ESRB uses are stylized depictions of alphabetical letters meant to convey at a glance a game's suitability. Although they were originally white with a black outline (as seen in the K-A rating logo), the rating letters have been displayed as entirely black letters (in order to be more legible) since the latter part of 1999.

Image:ESRB eC.png EC — Early Childhood: Contains content that may be suitable for persons under age 3. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate. Games that fall under this rating are specifically intended for young children and are usually educational in nature.
Image:ESRB E.png E — Everyone: Contains content that may not be suitable for persons under age 6. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language. It is often likened to the MPAA's "G" rating.
Image:ESRB K-A.png K-A — Kids to Adults: Contains 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. It was replaced by Everyone on January 1, 1998.
Image:ESRBEplus.jpg E10+ — Everyone 10 and older: (Also known as Preteen) Contains content that may not be suitable for persons under age 10. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language, minimal and/or infrequent blood and/or minimal suggestive themes. Added to the ESRB ratings icons on March 2, 2005. Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat was the first game to receive this rating. Super Smash Bros. Melee and The Incredibles could possibly have had this rating if they were released after that date. This rating is often likened to the MPAA's "PG" Rating.
Image:ESRB T.png T — Teen: Contains content that may not be suitable for persons under age 13. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, mild sexual content, minimal blood and/or infrequent use of strong language. It is often likened to the MPAA's "PG-13" rating.
Image:ESRB M.png M — Mature: Contains content that may not be suitable for persons under age 17. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and/or strong language inappropriate for young audiences. It is often likened to the MPAA's "R" rating, and is the video game equivalent. Many retailers (such as Wal-Mart) have a policy of not selling games with this rating to minors without parental presence and approval.
Image:ESRB Ao.png AO — Adults Only: Contains content that is suitable only for persons aged 18 and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity. This is often compared to the MPAA's "NC-17" rating because of the amount of restrictions that are placed on sales. As of 2006, there are 23 AO-rated games, most of which are available on Windows and Apple Macintosh computers, as well as the Phillips CD-i. The AO rating is a subject of heated controversy because of the extreme restrictions it puts on game sales. Notably, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was re-rated AO due to the release of the "Hot Coffee" hack.
Image:ESRB RP.png RP — Rating Pending: Product has been submitted to the ESRB and is awaiting final rating. This symbol appears only in advertising prior to a game's release.
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Content descriptors

Please note that the content descriptors are not always printed as shown below, they may have additional words added to further clarify the highlighted content such as "Mild Blood" and "Mild Suggestive Themes".

  • Alcohol Reference — Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages.
  • Animated Blood — Discolored and/or unrealistic depictions of blood.
  • Blood — Depictions of blood.
  • Blood and Gore — Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts.
  • Cartoon Violence — Violent actions involving cartoon-like or animated situations and characters. May also include violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted.
  • Comic Mischief — Depictions or dialogue involving slapstick or suggestive humor.
  • Crude Humor — Depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including "bathroom humor".
  • Drug Reference — Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs.
  • 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.
  • Fantasy Violence — Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life.
  • Informational — Overall content of product contains data, facts, resource information, reference materials or instructional text.
  • Intense Violence — Graphic and realistic-looking depictions of physical conflict. May involve extreme and/or realistic blood, gore, weapons, and depictions of human injury and death.
  • Language — Mild to moderate use of profanity.
  • Lyrics — Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music.
  • Mature Humor — Depictions or dialogue involving "adult" humor, including sexual references.
  • Mild Lyrics — Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music.
  • Mild Violence — Mild scenes depicting characters in unsafe and/or violent situations.
  • Nudity — Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity.
  • Partial Nudity — Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity.
  • Real Gambling — Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency.
  • Sexual Themes — Mild to moderate sexual references and/or depictions. May include partial nudity.
  • Sexual Violence — Depictions of rape or other sexual acts.
  • Simulated Gambling — Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency.
  • Some Adult Assistance May Be Needed — Intended for very young ages, used for games rated Early Childhood.
  • Strong Language — Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity.
  • Strong Lyrics — Explicit and/or frequent references to profanity, sex, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music.
  • Strong Sexual Content — Graphic references to and/or depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity.
  • Suggestive Themes — Mild provocative references or materials.
  • Tobacco Reference — Reference to and/or images of tobacco products.
  • Use of Drugs — The consumption or use of illegal drugs.
  • Use of Alcohol — The consumption of alcoholic beverages.
  • Use of Tobacco — The consumption of tobacco products.
  • Violence — Scenes involving aggressive conflict.
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Discontinued content descriptors

The following content descriptors have been updated and are no longer used, but they may appear on games published previously.

  • Animated Blood and Gore — Cartoon or pixilated images of blood or the mutilation of body parts.
  • Animated Violence — Cartoon or pixilated scenes depicting animated characters in unsafe and/or violent situations.
  • Gambling — Betting-like behavior.
  • Gaming — Betting-like behavior.
  • Mature Sexual Themes — Provocative material, possibly including partial nudity.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Realistic Blood — Photographic-like detailed depictions of blood.
  • Realistic Blood and Gore — Photographic-like detailed depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts.
  • Realistic Violence — Photographic-like detailed depictions of characters in unsafe and/or violent situations.
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Examples

Putt Putt: Pep's Birthday Surprise is rated EC (Early Childhood).

Super Mario Sunshine is rated E (Everyone).

Super Mario 64 was rated K-A (Kids to Adults) upon its original release.

Daxter is rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older).

Metroid Prime: Hunters is rated T (Teen).

Halo 2 is rated M (Mature).

Xchange is rated AO (Adults Only).

Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy is currently RP (Rating Pending).

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Process

To obtain a rating for a game, a publisher sends the ESRB videotaped footage of the game's most graphic and extreme content. The publisher also fills out a questionnaire describing the game's content.

The ESRB states on its website that three trained raters, working independently, then watch the footage and recommend a rating. If all raters agree on the rating, content descriptors are added and the ESRB notifies the publisher of its decision.

When the game is ready for release, the publisher sends copies of the final version of the game to the ESRB. The game packaging is reviewed, and the ESRB says that its in-house personnel may play the game to ensure that all the information provided during the rating process was complete and accurate. Penalties may apply to the publisher if it is eventually found that the game's content is more extreme than the publisher stated in its application.

The identities of the ESRB raters are kept confidential. Raters cannot have any ties to the computer or video game industry.

Compare with The MPAA film rating system's process.

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Controversy

The ESRB has been accused of not rating games harshly enough for violence. The ESRB has never given out the AO rating for violence alone. Games like Manhunt have shown gruesome interactive violence such as decapitation and bludgeoning, yet only got the M rating, which is supposed to be the movie equivalent of the R rating. Many critics have claimed that game deserves the AO rating.

Critics have claimed that the ESRB will only rate games AO if they have sex in them, regardless of how much violent content is in them. Twenty three products have been given the AO rating. One was given it for online gambling. The rest were given it for "Strong Sexual Content." One of the games with "Strong Sexual Content" also had "Realistic Blood & Gore", Riana Rouge, and another one had "Violence", Critical Point. Critical Point is a hentai game, and Riana Rouge has Playboy Playmates in lesbian sex scenes which leads some critics to believe that these games were rated AO because of sex, not violence.

In 2005, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for Windows was modified by players into allowing one to play through sex scenes that Rockstar North decided to leave out of the final game. The so-called "Hot Coffee mod" has put Rockstar Games Inc. into hot water and led the ESRB to rate the game as "AO" (Adult only). California assemblyman Leland Yee used the situation to rebuke them both and has cited this as another case of the ESRB not doing its job. U.S. Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Joe Lieberman, a video game censorship advocate, joined in on the disapproval. Rockstar claimed that the code was actually rewritten and that gamers are altering, not just unlocking the game. However, the PlayStation 2 version of the game is also modifiable with an Action Replay Max device. In light of this, Rockstar conceded that the disputed scene was in the final game on all formats and was not added in by the aforementioned mod. [1] The ESRB responded to the controversy by re-evaluating San Andreas' Mature rating and changing it to Adults Only. This would make Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas the most popular and best selling game to receive this rating.

On the other hand, some U.S. gamers believe that the ESRB is harsher than its foreign equivalents, thus believing that the PEGI, CERO, and OFLC are more lenient. The harshness or lenience of a rating system depends on cultural and societal differences. For example, Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne is rated M by the ESRB, rated 12+ by PEGI, but rated "All Ages" by CERO. Another example, Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal is rated T by the ESRB, but rated 3+ (equivalent to E) by PEGI.

Sometimes, the ESRB is also proven to be more lenient than other ratings systems as well. For example, GoldenEye 007, Hexen II and other T rated first person action games have received 18 and older ratings by the USK. PEGI has given 16+/15+ ratings to most of the Battlefield games and the game Enter the Matrix, which all received T ratings from the ESRB.

In December 2005, Senators Hillary Clinton, Joe Lieberman and Evan Bayh introduced the Family Entertainment Protection Act, which calls for a federal mandate enforcement of the ESRB ratings system in order to protect children from inappropriate content.

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See also

National rating systems

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External links

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