Video Game Ratings

What Video Game Ratings Mean

Ratings appearing on the cover of video games and in advertisements are intended to educate consumers about possibly objectionable content in the game. Parents are strongly encouraged to check ratings on games they purchase for their children.

Each rating has a suggested age range. The guidelines are similar to the MPAA system for rating movies in the United States. In addition to the ratings score, phrases appear next to the symbol indicating the type of content that may be found in the game.

Early Video Game Ratings

The first organized effort at rating video games was undertaken by Sega of America in 1993. Dubbed the Video Game Ratings Council, the VRC was created to mediate mature-themed games such as Pit Fighter, Night Trap and Mortal Kombat. The video game ratings were as follows:

GA - General Audiences - Suitable for all audiences. These games contained no blood or graphic violence, no profanity, drugs or alcohol, and no mature sexual themes.

MA-13 - Mature Audiences over 13 Years - Games rated MA-13 could contain only brief instances of blood or violence.

MA-17 - Mature Audiences over 17 Years - These games could contain more blood, violence, sexual themes or illegal substance use.

Most games received a GA or MA-13 rating. The VRC dissolved after only one year of operations due to the formation of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board.

Entertainment Software Ratings Board

The ESRB was formed in 1994 and employs a ratings system very similar to the one used for motion pictures. Nearly 10,000 video games have received a rating from the ESRB since its inception.

ESRB Ratings

eC - Early Childhood - Content suitable for children over the age of 3. These games contain no objectionable material and are intended for a young audience.

E - Everyone - These games are aimed at a broad audience but are suitable for younger children over the age of 5. Minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence may be encountered. Many games receive this rating.

K-A - Kids to Adults - This rating was removed after 1997 and is equivalent to E - Everyone.

E10+ - Everyone 10 and Over - These games may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence than previous ratings. Mild language and minimal suggestive themes may also be present. This rating is relatively new and was added in early 2005.

T - Teen - The most common rating for video games. The content of these games may be suitable for ages 13 and over and could contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood and infrequent use of strong language.

M - Mature - These titles are intended for ages 17 and over. Intense violence, blood and gore, strong language and sexual content may be present. Many retailers refuse to sell these games to minors.

AO - Adults Only - Aimed at adults over the age of 17 only, these games may include prolonged scenes of violence, graphic sexual content and nudity. In 2005 there are under 20 games with this rating, including Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas after the Hot Coffee controversy.

RP - Rating Pending - This simply means the ESRB has yet to evaluate the content of the game.

Video Game Ratings Process

In order for their video games to be rated, publishers fill out questionnaires and video tape the most graphic portions of gameplay. The ESRB then receives the materials and three independent reviewers rate the content and come to a consensus on a final rating.

The ESRB also allows its in-house employees play the games to ensure no major details were left out. Packaging is also included in the review.

Ratings Controversy

The 2005 controversy over the Hot Coffee minigame/scene discovered in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas caused fingers to be pointed at the ESRB's methods. The graphic scene featured content not submitted to the ESRB for rating. However, the minigame was not intended to be included in the game. Gamers could not view the Hot Coffee scene without altering the game's programming through unauthorized methods.

As a result of the controversy, the ESRB penalized Take Two Interactive, the publishers of the game, and changed the rating to Adults Only.

Other Ratings Boards

Several other ratings systems exist outside of the U.S. to rate video game and film content.

• CERO - The Japanese rating system.
• ELSPA - The early European rating system.
• PEGI - Replaced the ELSPA as the European ratings system.
• BBFC - British film/video game ratings organization.
• USK - German computer and video game ratings system.
• OFLC - The ratings organization of Australia and New Zealand.