The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings are designed to give consumers information about the content of an interactive video or computer entertainment title and for which ages it's appropriate. The ESRB ratings are not meant to tell you what to buy or rent or to serve as the only basis for choosing a product. Rather, consumers should use the ESRB ratings in conjunction with their own tastes and standards when purchasing or renting a video game.
Each product is rated by three independent, trained raters. The raters represent a wide range of backgrounds, races, and ages and have no ties to the interactive-entertainment industry. Raters include retired school principals, parents, professionals, and other individuals from all walks of life. Ratings can be found on the cover of each game, and CheatCodes.com also features a text description of each rating on each game description page. Here are the ESRB rating definitions:
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Early ChildhoodTitles rated "Early Childhood (EC)" have content that may be suitable for children ages three and older and do not contain any material that parents would find inappropriate. |
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EveryoneTitles rated "Everyone (E)" have content that may be suitable for persons ages six and older. These titles will appeal to people of many ages and tastes. They may contain minimal violence, some comic mischief (for example, slapstick comedy), or some crude language. |
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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. |
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TeenTitles rated "Teen (T)" have content that may be suitable for persons ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violent content, mild or strong language, and/or suggestive themes. |
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MatureTitles rated "Mature (M)" have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. These products may include more intense violence or language than products in the Teen category. In addition, these titles may also include mature sexual themes. |
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Adults OnlyTitles rated "Adults Only (AO)" have content suitable only for adults. These products may include graphic depictions of sex and/or violence. Adults Only products are not intended to be sold or rented to persons under the age of 18. |
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Rating PendingProduct has been submitted to the ESRB and is awaiting final rating. |
In addition the ESRB ratings, additional Content Descriptors furnished by the ESRB may be found in the black-and-white box on the back of a game packaging. These content descriptors give more details about the product in terms of violence, sexual themes, language, and other areas that may be of interest to some consumers. If there is no content descriptor on the back of the package, the rating board believes that the product does not include content that needs to be highlighted. Here is a list of content descriptors used by the ESRB:
| Animated Blood | Animated/pixilated or cartoon like depictions of blood. |
| Blood | Contains depictions of blood. |
| Blood and Gore | Contains depictions of mutilation or dismemberment of body parts. |
| Comic Mischief | Contains scenes depicting activities characterized as slapstick or gross vulgar humor. |
| Edutainment | Content of product provides user wit specific skills development or reinforcement learning within an entertainment setting. Skill development is an integral part of product. |
| Gambling | The depiction of betting like behavior. |
| Gaming | The depiction of betting like behavior. |
| Informational | Overall content of product contains data, facts, resource information, reference materials or instructional text. |
| Mature Sexual Themes | Contains provocative material, including depiction of the human body in either animated or photographic like formats. |
| Mild Language | Product contains the use of words like "damn." |
| Mild Lyrics | Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use. |
| Mild Violence | Scenes or activities, which depict characters in unsafe and/or violent situations. |
| Some Adult Assistance May Be Needed | Early Childhood Descriptor only. |
| Strong Language | Commonly referenced four-letter words. |
| Strong Lyrics | Profanity and explicit references to sex, violence, alcohol, or drug use. |
| Strong Sexual Content | Graphic depiction of sexual behavior and/or the human form (i.e., frontal nudity) in either animated or photographic like detail. |
| Suggestive Themes | Mild provocative references or materials. |
| Use of Drugs | Product contains images of the use of drugs in a manner, which condones or glorifies their use. |
| Use of Tobacco and Alcohol | Product contains images of the use of tobacco and/or alcohol in a manner, which condones or glorifies their use. |
| Violence | Scenes or activities, which involve violent acts. |
For more information about the Entertainment Software Rating Board and their ratings, please visit http://www.esrb.org/.
