Game
Ratings & Descriptor Guide
The
Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings are designed
to provide accurate and objective information about the content
in computer and video games so you can make an informed purchase
decision. ESRB ratings have two equal parts: rating
symbols suggest age appropriateness for the game and content
descriptors indicate elements in a game that may have
triggered a particular rating and/or may be of interest or concern.
To
take full advantage of the ESRB rating system, it's important
to check both the rating symbol (on the front of the box) and
the content descriptors (on the back).
ESRB
Rating Symbols
 |
EARLY
CHILDHOOD
Titles rated EC (Early Childhood) have content
that may be suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains no material
that parents would find inappropriate. |
 |
EVERYONE
Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that
may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category
may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or
infrequent use of mild language. |
 |
EVERYONE
10+
Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older)
have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older.
Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy
or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive
themes. |
 |
TEEN
Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may
be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category
may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal
blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong
language. |
 |
MATURE
Titles rated M (Mature) have content that
may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in
this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore,
sexual content and/or strong language. |
 |
ADULTS
ONLY
Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content
that should only be played by persons 18 years and older.
Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of
intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity. |
 |
RATING
PENDING
Titles listed as RP (Rating Pending) have
been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting final rating.
(This symbol appears only in advertising prior to a game's
release.) |
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ESRB
Content Descriptors
- 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 situations
and characters. May 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
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 violent 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
- 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
Online
Rating Notice
Online
games that include user-generated content (e.g., chat, maps, skins)
carry the notice "Game Experience May Change During Online
Play" to warn consumers that content created by players
of the game has not been rated by the ESRB.
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© Thumbmonkey 2007
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