ESRB Ratings

ESRB is the American version of our PEGI system which enforces legal rules against games to ensure that they are suitable for the correct market. They work slightly differently to the British regulations but cover the same concept and would be understood by people outside of the US.

Rating Categories

Rating categories suggest the age appropriateness of the game. They can be based upon the age requirement for the game.

The "Everyone" rating means that the game, obviously, is suitable for all age groups but may contain MINIMAL cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent mild language.

The "Everyone 10+" rating, obviously suitable for people aged 10 and over, means that it may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or mild language and minimal suggestive themes.

"Teen", for anyone aged 13 and up, means that it may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language.

For anyone aged 17 and up, games with this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.

For anyone aged 18 and up, this may contain prolonged scenes of intense violence, graphic sexual content and/or gambling with real currency.

"RP" or "Rating Pending" is the result of a game not yet being assigned a final ESRB rating. This category will only appear on marketing material related to the physical copy of a game that is expecting a rating. This will be replaced with one of the above ratings once assigned.

Content Descriptors

Unlike PEGI, the actual content of the game doesn't have any symbols or copy-able images from ESRB. Instead, a list of the content must be shown on the game taken from the official Content Descriptors list found on the ESRB website.

"NOTE: Content Descriptors are applied relative to the Rating Category assigned and are not intended to be a complete listing of content. When a Content Descriptor is preceded by the term "Mild" it is intended to convey low frequency, intensity or severity." (ESRB Website)

• 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

• Fantasy Violence - Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life

• 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

• 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 Content - Non-explicit depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including partial nudity

• Sexual Themes - References to sex or sexuality

• Sexual Violence - Depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts

• Simulated Gambling - Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency

• 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 - Explicit and/or frequent 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 Alcohol - The consumption of alcoholic beverages

• Use of Drugs - The consumption or use of illegal drugs

• Use of Tobacco - The consumption of tobacco products

• Violence - Scenes involving aggressive conflict. May contain bloodless dismemberment

• Violent References - References to violent acts

Interactive Elements

The game must also outline all interactive elements of the game; for example: In-Game purchases, Users Interact (communication with other players), Shares location, Unrestricted internet etc.

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

When designing a game, you try to reach as wide a range of consumers as you possibly can and so by restricting yourself to just PEGI ratings, certain countries will not accept your game. This research will allow me to not just consider my target audience in this project but also use my knowledge in the future to better sell my products.