Video game content rating system 

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

Contents

Comparison

Country/age 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17+ Adult3 Notes
Flag of the United States Flag of Canada Flag of Mexico ESRB EC E E10+ T M AO
Flag of Australia OFLCA G PG M MA15+ RC Games classified RC are banned for sale, hire or exhibition in Australia.
Flag of New Zealand OFLCNZ G PG R13 R15 R16 R18
Flag of the United Kingdom BBFC UC U PG 12 15 18
Flag of the United Kingdom ELSPA4 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 10 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 longer rates video games.
TIGRS Family Friendly Teen Content Adult Content Created for the use of games produced by independent developers

Explanations of specific ratings are available in corresponding articles.

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

See also

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). Retrieved on 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. ^ 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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