Video game content rating system

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A video game content rating system is a system used for the classification of video games into suitability-related groups. Most of these systems are associated with and/or sponsored by a government, and are sometimes part of the local motion picture rating system. The utility of such ratings has been called into question—"90% of teenagers say that their parents never check the video game ratings before allowing them to rent or buy computer or video games."[1] Thus, calls have been made to fix the existing rating system.[2]

Contents

[edit] Comparison

Country\Age 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17+ Adult[3] Notes
Flag of the United States Flag of Canada ESRB EC E E10+ T M AO
Flag of Australia OFLC G PG M MA15+ Games with stronger content than MA15+ are classified RC, banned for sale, hire or exhibition in Australia.
Flag of New Zealand OFLC G PG R13 R15 R16 R18
Flag of the United Kingdom BBFC Uc U PG 12 15 18 Games classified R are banned for sale, hire or exhibition in the UK.
Flag of the United Kingdom ELSPA[4] 3+ 7+ 12+ 15+ 16+ 18+ Used until 2002, now uses the PEGI or BBFC ratings.
Flag of Europe PEGI 3+ 7+ 12+ 16+ 18+ In Portugal, some ratings differ from the PEGI standard.
Flag of Finland VET Uses the PEGI system
Flag of Germany USK Alle 6 12 16 18
Flag of Brazil MJ/DEJUS L 12 14 16 18
Flag of Japan CERO A B C D Z
Flag of Japan EOCS/CSA General R 18+ Used primarily for Bishōjo games
Flag of South Korea GRB A 12 15 18 The KMRB no longers rates video games.
TIGRS Family Friendly Teen Content Adult Content Created for the Use of games produced by indy devolopers

Explanation of specific ratings are available in corresponding articles.

[edit] Usage

The image below presents usage of various video game content rating systems around the world. Countries filled by gradients are using several rating systems.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ David A. Walsh and Douglas A. Gentile. A Validity Test of Movie, Television, and Video-Game Ratings (PDF). Retrieved on 2007-04-23.
  2. ^ Jerry Bonner, "How to Fix the Ratings System: A former game rater lists six ways to bolster the Entertainment Software Rating Board," Electronic Gaming Monthly 227 (April 2008): 30-32.
  3. ^ The age upon which an individual attains adulthood varies per country.
  4. ^ computer and video games industry age ratings and codes of practice (PDF). ELSPA. Retrieved on 2007-04-24.
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