Video game content rating system

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"12+" redirects here. For the educational examination in use in the UK, see Eleven plus exam.

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 by studies that publish findings such as 90% of teenagers claim that their parents "never" check the ratings before allowing them to rent or buy video games,[1] and as such calls have been made to "fix" the existing rating systems.[2] Video game content rating systems can be used as the basis for laws that cover the sales of video games to minors, such as in Australia. These rating systems have also been used to voluntarily restrict sales of certain video games by stores, such as Kaufhof's removal of all video games rated 18+ by the USK following the Winnenden school shooting.[3]

Contents

[edit] Comparison

A comparison of currently alive game rating companies

Country/age 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17+ Adult[4] Notes
United States Canada ESRB eC E E10+ T M AO
Australia OFLCA G PG M MA15+ Games classified RC are banned for sale, hire or exhibition in Australia.
New Zealand OFLCNZ G PG M R13 R16 R18 All ages may purchase an M title, but parents are advised that content is more suitable for mature persons 16 years of age and over.
United Kingdom BBFC UC U PG 12 15 18 All ages may purchase a PG title, but parents are advised that certain content may be unsuitable for children under 8.
United Kingdom ELSPA[5] 3+ 7+ 12+ 15+ 16+ 18+ Used until 2002, now uses the PEGI or BBFC ratings.
European Union PEGI 3+ 7+ 12+ 16+ 18+ In Portugal, some ratings differ from the PEGI standard.
Finland VET 3+ 7+ 12+ 16+ 18+
Germany USK Alle 6 12 16 18
Brazil MJ/DEJUS L 10 12 14 16 18
Japan CERO A B C D Z
Japan EOCS/CSA General R 18+ Used primarily for Bishōjo games
South Korea GRB A 12 15 18 The KMRB no longer rates video games.
Iran ESRA +3 +7 +12 +15& +18&+25 Some of Game are Forbidden
TIGRS Family Friendly Teen Content Adult Content Created for the use of games produced by independent developers
Apple 4+ 9+ 12+ 17+ Created for games distributed through Apple's App Store worldwide

Explanations 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 with gradients are using several rating systems.[citation needed]

Video game rating systems map.svg

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Dr. David Walsh (2000-03-21). "The Impact of Interactive Violence on Children: Testimony submitted to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate" (PDF). http://eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/23/4b/03.pdf. Retrieved 2008-07-13. 
  2. ^ Jerry Bonner (April 2008). "How to Fix the Ratings System: A former game rater lists six ways to bolster the Entertainment Software Rating Board," Electronic Gaming Monthly 227, 30-32.
  3. ^ "Kaufhof schafft Filme und Spiele für Erwachsene ab" (in German). Der Spiegel. 18 March 2009. http://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/spielzeug/0,1518,614088,00.html. Retrieved 18 March 2009. 
  4. ^ The age upon which an individual attains adulthood varies per country.
  5. ^ "computer and video games industry age ratings and codes of practice" (PDF). ELSPA. http://www.elspa.com/docs/elspawhitepaper5.pdf. Retrieved 2007-04-24. 


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