Video Game Ratings

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The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) was established in 1994 by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). The ESRB applies and enforces ratings, advertising guidelines, and online privacy principles adopted by the industry. The ESRB rates over 1,000 games per year. There are six general ratings for computer and video games:

EC: The EC rating stands for Early Childhood. These are suitable for children three and up.

E: The E rating is for everyone. There is little or nothing that most parents would reasonably find objectionable. Any violence in these games is like that of a children's cartoon.

E 10+: E 10+ is for games that may not be appropriate for children still in single digits. There may be a bit more cartoonish violence as a game rated E, as well as minimal strong language and suggestive themes.

T: The T rating is for games appropriate to teenage players. These games may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.

M: This is for mature audiences. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, realistic or stylized blood and gore, sexual content, as well as strong language. Many parents choose to try or at least view these games before letting their children play.

AO: The AO rating stands for adults only. This is the strongest rating the ESRB has set up. AO games may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.

On the back of video game packaging there will be a more in depth explanation of the game's contents. The ESRB has set up 32 distinct descriptors, such as Animated Blood, Mature Humor, Sexual Themes, and Sexual Violence.

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