| The Ratings |
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| Early Childhood Titles 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. |
| Kids to Adults Titles rated "Kids to Adult (K-A)" 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. |
| Everyone As of January 1, 1998, the new "Everyone" designation will replace the "Kids to Adults" rating. Titles 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. |
| Teen Titles 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. |
| Mature Titles 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. |
| Adults Only Titles 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. |
| Rating Pending Product has been submitted to the ESRB and is awaiting final rating. |
| Content Descriptors |
| When consumers look on the back of a package, they may see any of the following phrases that further describe the product's content. |
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| Look for these ratings on the front of the package and, for more information, look for content descriptors on the back of the package. |
| Rating Categories |
| 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 depictions 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. |
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| Discontinued Content Descriptors that may still be in the market place: |
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| Gaming The depiction of betting like behavior. |
| Mild Animated Violence Contains scenes depicting cartoon/animated/pixilated characters in unsafe or hazardous acts or violent situations. |
| Mild Realistic Violence Contains scenes depicting characters in unsafe or hazardous acts or violent situations in photographic detail. |
| Animated Violence Contains depictions of aggressive conflict involving cartoon/animated/pixilated characters. |
| Realistic Violence Contains realistic or photographic like depictions of aggressive conflict. |
| Animated Blood and Gore Animated/pixilated or cartoon like depictions of mutilation or dismemberment of body parts. |
| Realistic Blood and Gore Depictions of mutilation of body parts in realistic or photographic like detail. |
| Realistic Blood Representations of blood in realistic or photographic like detail. |
| Reading Skills, Fine Motor Skills, Higher-Level Thinking Skills These phrases are found only on products rated Early Childhood and indicate whether children's reading, computer, or other skills are used in these titles. |
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| The foregoing represents all the content descriptors that currently may be found on the back of video game boxes. Some of these descriptors, however, are no longer used by the ESRB in rating and describing new games. For example, with respect to games containing violent content, the ESRB no longer uses the descriptors "mild animated violence," "mild realistic violence," "animated violence," "realistic violence," "animated blood and gore," "realistic blood and gore," or "realistic blood," in describing new games. New games containing violence use only the following: "violence," "mild violence," "blood," "blood and gore," and "animated blood." However, games that were rated when the now-discontinued descriptors were used by the ESRB still contain such descriptors on their packaging. When packaged products are advertised or sold online content descriptors can be found by placing your mouse over the rating symbol. The content descriptors will appear in a pop up box. (See below) |
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