CERO & EOCS

CERO or "Computer Entertainment Rating Organization" is the Japanese organisation which enforces legal regulations against games in Japan mainly for console games.

Similarly, EOCS or "Ethics Organization of Computer Software" also enforce these rules mainly for PC and mobile games.

CERO outline an extensive list of categories which are used to determine the contents of the game in four different sections; "Sex-related", "Violence", "Antisocial act" and "Language and ideology-related".

CERO also have "Classification Marks" which outline the age group and content a game with each classification should contain.

"A" means the game is for all ages.

"B" means it is suitable for ages 12 and up.

"C" means it is suitable for ages 15 and up.

"D" means the game is for ages 17 and up.

"Z" is when the game is only suitable for ages 18 and up and would contain adult only content.

EOCS has 3 levels of ratings.

The "EOCS" or "General" rating which is suitable for all ages.

The "R" or "Restricted" rating for ages 15 and up.

The "18" or "18+" rating suitable for ages 18 and up.

CERO also have "Content Icons" similar to PEGI which outline what is included in the game to make up the overall rating.

How will this research help me to create my final product?

If you are going to release a game, why don't you go all the way and release it to as many people as possible! By researching as much of the rating systems as possible, it puts me in a better position to create a product that meets these conditions.