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][3] 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. Rating checking and approval is part of the game localization when they are being prepared for their distribution in other countries or locales. These rating systems have also been used to voluntarily restrict sales of certain video games by stores, such as the German retailer Galeria Kaufhof's removal of all video games rated 18+ by the USK following the Winnenden school shooting.[4]

An example of different rating systems on video game discs which is common practice in the PAL region. From top left to down right: the Russian video game rating system, the European PEGI system, the German USK, all sharing the same age classification on this example game.

Comparison table

A comparison of current video game rating systems, showing age on the horizontal axis. Note however that the specific criteria used in assigning a classification can vary widely from one country to another. Thus a color code or age range cannot be directly compared from one country to another.

Key:

  •  White  – No restrictions: Suitable for all ages / Aimed at young audiences / Exempt / Not rated / No applicable rating.
  •  Yellow  – No restrictions: Parental guidance is suggested for designated age range.
  •  Purple  – No restrictions: Not recommended for a younger audience but not restricted.
  •  Red  – Restricted: Parental accompaniment required for younger audiences.
  •  Black  – Prohibitive: Exclusively for older audience / Purchase age-restricted / Banned.
Country/System0/123456789101112131415161718192021OtherNotes
App Store (iOS) 4+
(aged 5 and under)		 4+
(ages 6–8)		 9+ 12+ 17+ No Rating Ratings are required for applications to be released or sold on the App Store. The 4+ rating is divided into three sub-categories: aged 5 and under, 6–8 and 9–11.
4+
(ages 9–11)
Argentina ATP +13 +18 N/A Adopted on 15 October 2005.
Australia G M R18+ RC The restricted categories are MA15+ and R18+, the latter was introduced at the start of 2013.
PG MA15+ CTC
Brazil L 10 12 14 16 18 N/A The same rating system is used for television and motion pictures in Brazil.
ESRB
 Canada
 Mexico
 USA		 E E10+ T M AO RP This was adopted in 1994 in the United States, most of Canada, and Mexico. The E10+ rating was first used in early 2005. Games rated RP (Rating Pending) do not yet have a rating. The AO rating is the only rating that is legally restricted.
EC
Germany 0 6 12 12 16 18 BPjM restricted
No labelling
Google Play 3+ 7+ 12+ 16+ 18+ N/A Uses generic IARC ratings in most countries that aren't represented by a participating rating authority.[5]
Indonesia SU 3+ 7+ 13+ 18+ N/A
Iran +3 +7 +12 +15 +18 N/A Some games are forbidden. Games with extreme violence, explicit sexual content or explicit nudity are prohibited.
Japan
CERO		 A B C D Z 審査予定 These ratings have been used since March 1, 2006. The Z rating is the only rating that is legally restricted.
Japan
EOCS		 G 12 15 18 N/A This rating system is used for PC games only.
New Zealand G R13 R15 M R18 Objectionable Games with an unrestricted label in Australia can carry Australian classification labels, but New Zealand labels are required if the game is restricted (MA15+) in Australia or is classified RC.
PG R16
PEGI
 Europe
 India
 Israel
 Pakistan
 South Africa		 3 7 12 16 18 N/A Legally enforced in some countries (but not all).
7 12 16 18
Portugal 4 6 12 16 18 N/A Portugal uses a modified version of PEGI.
Russia 0+ 6+ 12+ 16+ 18+ N/A These ratings have been used since 1 September 2012. The same rating system is used for television, motion pictures, and publications in Russia.
Saudi Arabia N/A 3 7 12 16 18 Banned Adopted in 2016.[6]
Singapore General Age
Advisory		 M18 NAR Adopted on 28 April 2008.
South Africa PG 7-9 PG 10-12 PG 13 16 18 XX Introduced in 1996 to combat the extensive child abuse in South Africa.
South Korea ALL 12 15 18 Refused classification Before 2006, video games released in South Korea were rated by KMRB.
Taiwan 普通
(G)		 保護
(P)		 輔12
(PG 12)		 輔15
(PG 15)		 限制
(R)		 N/A 3DS video games released in Taiwan carry a mandatory age restriction of 6 years or more.
United Arab Emirates N/A 3 7 12 16 18 21 N/A Introduced in November 2017, and was established commercially as of February 2018.

In the above table, Italics indicate an international organization rather than a single country.

Initial controversy

Similar to other forms of media, video games have been the subject of argument between leading professionals and restriction and prohibition. Often these bouts of criticism come from use of debated topics such as video game graphic violence, virtual sex, violent and gory scenes, partial or full nudity, drug use, portrayal of criminal behavior or other provocative and objectionable material. Video games have also been studied for links to addiction and aggression. There have been a multitude of studies linking violent video game play with increased aggression. A meta analysis of studies from both eastern and western countries yielded evidence that "strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior."[7]

There are also groups that have argued to the contrary, that few if any scientifically proven studies exist to back up these claims, and that the video game industry has become an easy target for the media to blame for many contemporary issues.[8][9][10] As is evidenced by meta analyses such as the one cited above, there have been a multitude of studies proving a link between violent game play and short term aggressive behavior; other studies find no concrete link between long term aggression, bullying or criminal behavior. Researchers have also proposed potential positive effects of video games on aspects of social and cognitive development and psychological well-being.[11] It has been shown that action video game players have better hand-eye coordination and visuo-motor skills, such as their resistance to distraction, their sensitivity to information in the peripheral vision and their ability to count briefly presented objects, than non-players.[12]

Rating systems

Argentina

The law 26.043 (passed in 2005) states that the National Council of Children, Youth and Family ('Consejo Nacional de la Niñez, Adolescencia y la Familia') in coordination with the National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts will be the government agencies that assigns age ratings.[13][14][15] The Argentine Game Developer Association (Asociación de Desarrolladores de Videojuegos Argentina) was critical of the law.[16][17][18] There are three ratings: "Suitable for all public", "Suitable for those over 13 years of age" and "Suitable for those over 18 years of age".[19]

Australia

The Australian Classification Board (ACB) is a statutory classification body formed by the Australian Government which classifies films, video games and publications for exhibition, sale or hire in Australia since its establishment in 1970. The Classification Board was originally incorporated in the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) which was dissolved in 2006. Originally apart the Attorney-General's Department and overseen by the Minister for Justice, the ACB is now a branch of the Department of Communications and the Arts which provides administrative support to the Board and is overseen by the Minister for Communications & the Arts. Decisions made by the Board may be reviewed by the Australian Classification Review Board.

Brazil

The advisory rating (ClassInd) (Classificação Indicativa in Portuguese) rates films, games and television shows in Brazil. It is controlled by the Ministry of Justice (Ministério da Justiça).

Europe

Pan European Game Information (PEGI) is a European video game content rating system established to help European parents make informed decisions on buying computer games with logos on games boxes. It was developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) and came into use in April 2003; it replaced many national age rating systems with a single European system. The PEGI system is now used in more than thirty-one countries and is based on a code of conduct, a set of rules to which every publisher using the PEGI system is contractually committed. PEGI self-regulation is composed by five age categories and seven content descriptors that advise the suitability and content of a game for a certain age range based on the games content.[20] The age rating does not indicate the difficulty of the game or the skill required to play it.[21]

Finland

Finnish Centre for Media Education and Audiovisual Media (in Finnish Mediakasvatus- ja kuvaohjelmakeskus, in Swedish Centralen för mediefostran och bildprogram (both: MEKU)) is an official institution of the Finnish Ministry of Education. It is responsible for the age-ratings of films, television programs and interactive games. Only material intended to be accessible to minors (those under 18 years of age) is subject to classification before being released to the public; sex films do not need to be classified (but they have to be marked clearly with the age limit 18). Films and television programmes are classified by authorized classifiers, trained by the Centre. The classifiers usually work within the media industry.

In January 2014, Finnish Centre for Media Education and Audiovisual Media was merged with National Audiovisual Archive to form National Audiovisual Institute.[22]

Germany

Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) (Entertainment Software Self-control), is Germany's software rating organization founded in 1994.

  • USK 0 - Playable for all ages
  • USK 6 - Ages 6 and over
  • USK 12 - Ages 12 and over
  • USK 16 - Ages 16 and over
  • USK 18 - Ages 18 and over

Indonesia
The IGRS ratings used in Indonesia

Indonesian Game Rating System (IGRS) is an official video game content rating system founded and set by the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Informatics in 2016.[23] IGRS rates games that are developed and/or published in Indonesia. There are 5 classifications of ratings based on the game content, which includes the use of alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, violence, blood, language, sexual content, etc. These are the following classifications:

  • SU ("Semua Umur", All Ages in English)  – Playable for all ages.
  • 3+  – Age 3 and over. No restricted content is shown including adult content, use of drugs, gambling simulation, and online interactions.
  • 7+  – Age 7 and over. No restricted content is shown including adult content, use of drugs, gambling simulation, and online interactions.
  • 13+  – Age 13 and over. Restricted contents are partially shown, including light use of drugs and alcohol by figures/background characters, cartoon violence, mild language, gambling simulation, horror theme, and online interactions.
  • 18+  – Age 18 and over. Restricted contents are mostly shown, if not all, including use of drugs and alcohol by main characters, realistic violence (blood, gore, mutilation, etc.), crude humor, gambling simulation, horror theme, and online interactions.

Iran

Entertainment Software Rating Association (Persian: اسرا‎) (ESRA) is a governmental video game content rating system that is used in Iran. Games that have been exempt from the rating are de facto banned from sale in Iran.

  • +3 – Ages 3 and over
  • +7 – Ages 7 and over
  • +12 – Ages 12 and over
  • +15 – Ages 15 and over
  • +18 – Ages 18 and over

In practise, the rating applies largely to PC and mobile games, as none of the console games are officially released for the Iranian market.

Japan

In Japan, the content rating is not required by law, but most commercial video game publishers take the industry self-regulations. Console manufacturers force for video game publishers that games must be rated by CERO. Distributors of PC games (mostly dating sims, visual novels, and eroge) require games having the approval of EOCS or Japan contents Review Center.[24] These ratings are referred to by local governments, and the Ordinance Regarding the Healthy Development of Youths (青少年健全育成条例) prohibits retailers from supplying 18+ rating games to persons under 18.[25][26] Dōjin softs don't have such restrictions, but distribution of obscene materials can be punished under the Article 175 of the Penal Code of Japan.

Computer Entertainment Rating Organization

The Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (特定非営利活動法人コンピュータエンターテインメントレーティング機構, Tokutei Hieiri Katsudō Hōjin Konpyūta Entāteinmento Rētingu Kikō) (CERO) is an organization that rates video games and PC games in Japan with levels of rating that informs the customer of the nature of the product and for what age group it is suitable. It was established in June 2002 as a branch of Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association, and became an officially recognized non-profit organization in December 2003. It currently consists of five age categories and nine content descriptors.

  • A – All ages. Formerly "All."
  • B – Ages 12 and over. Formerly "12."
  • C – Ages 15 and over. Formerly "15."
  • D – Ages 17 and over.
  • Z – Ages 18 and over only. Formerly "18." It is the only rating that is legally enforced.

Ethics Organization of Computer Software

The Ethics Organization of Computer Software (一般社団法人コンピュータソフトウェア倫理機構, Ippan Shadan Hōjin Konpyūta Sofutowea Rinri Kikō) (EOCS, or Sofurin)[27] is an incorporated association that rates PC games in Japan. It was established on November 20, 1992,[28] and was incorporated in 2009. The association also works to crack down on copyright infringement of PC games for the companies it represents, and sponsors the Moe Game Award (萌えゲーアワード) to help PC game sales.[29]

The current ratings are:[30]

  • General Software - All ages.
  • General Software (recommended to ages 12 and over)
  • General Software (recommended to ages 15 and over)
  • Software that is banned from selling to persons under 18

Japan contents Review Center

The Japan contents Review Center (日本コンテンツ審査センター, Nihon Kontentsu Shinsa Sentā) is a cooperative that reviews adult videos and adult PC games in Japan. The organization was founded on December 1, 2010 as Ethics Organization of Video (映像倫理機構, Eizō Rinri Kikō) after the dissolution of the Content Soft Association (CSA).[31]

New Zealand

The Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) is the government agency in New Zealand that is responsible for classification of all films, videos, publications, and some video games in New Zealand. It was created by the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 (FVPC Act), replacing various film classification acts, and is an independent Crown entity[32] in terms of the Crown Entities Act 2004. The head of the OFLC is called the Chief Censor, maintaining a title that has described the government officer in charge of censorship in New Zealand since 1916.

The current ratings are:[33]

  • G: Anyone can be shown or sold this.
  • PG: Films and games with a PG label can be sold, hired, or shown to anyone. The PG label means guidance from a parent or guardian is recommended for younger viewers.
  • M: Films and games with an M label can be sold, hired, or shown to anyone. Films with an M label are more suitable for mature audiences 16 years and over.[34]
  • R13: Restricted to persons 13 years and over.
  • R15: Restricted to persons 15 years and over.
  • R16: Restricted to persons 16 years and over.
  • R18: Restricted to persons 18 years and over.

North America
Main article: Entertainment Software Rating Board

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a self-regulatory organization that assigns age and content ratings, enforces industry-adopted advertising guidelines, and ensures responsible online privacy principles for computer and video games and other entertainment software in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.[35] PEGI ratings are used on some French-language games sold in Canada. Despite being self-regulatory, in Canada, games rated by the ESRB are required by law to be rated and/or restricted, though this only varies at a province and territory level.

Russia
See also: ru:Возрастная классификация информационной продукции в России

The Age classification of information products is a new statutory classification set of rules formed by the Russian Government after enacting in September 2012 a Federal Law of Russian Federation no. 436-FZ of 2010-12-23 “On Protecting of Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development” (Russian: Федеральный закон Российской Федерации от 29 декабря 2010 г. N 436-ФЗ «О защите детей от информации, причиняющей вред их здоровью и развитию»), which classifies films, video games and publications for exhibition, sale or hire in Russia since 1 September 2012. The Ministry of Culture provides administrative support to the classification.

Saudi Arabia

The General Commission for Audiovisual Media (Arabic: الهيئة العامة للإعلام المرئي والمسموع‎, romanized: Alhy'eh Al'amah lel-E'elam Almar'ey wal-Masmoo') (GCAM) is responsible for the age-ratings of films, television programs and interactive games.[36][37]

Singapore

Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) is a statutory board of the Singapore Government which regulates films, television programs and video games in Singapore.

South Africa

The South African Film and Publication Board (FPB) is a statutory classification body formed by the South African Government under the Films and Publications Act of 1996 which classifies films, music, television programmes, and video games for exhibition, sale or hire in South Africa.

South Korea

The Game Rating and Administration Committee (게임물관리위원회 Geimmul Gwan-Ri-Wiwonhoe) (GRAC) is the South Korean video game content rating board. A governmental organization, the GRAC rates video and computer games to inform customers of the nature of game contents.

Taiwan

Game Software Rating Regulations (遊戲軟體分級辦法), also translated as Game Software Rating Management Regulations, is the video game content rating system used in Taiwan. [38]

United Arab Emirates

The National Media Council (Arabic: المجلس الوطني للإعلام‎, romanized: al-Majlis al-Watani li'al-Ealam) (NMC) is a body of the federal U.A.E. government which regulates all aspects of media production, publication, and media trade in the United Arab Emirates. The body was established under Federal Law (1) of 2006. By 2013, the NMC has sustained full authority over the media market in the country.

In 2018, the NMC introduced local age rating systems for various media, including video games available in retail.[39][40]

United Kingdom
Further information: British Board of Film Classification

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), originally British Board of Film Censors, is a non-governmental organisation, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification of films within the United Kingdom.[41] It has a statutory requirement to classify videos and DVDs. It no longer has responsibility for rating video games in the UK. This role has been passed to the Video Standards Council now known as the VSC Rating Board).[42]

In July 2012, the VSC Rating Board became the sole UK statutory video games regulator for the UK. The VSC Rating Board has been a PEGI Administrator since 2003 and subsequently uses the PEGI criteria to classify video games. The UK Interactive Entertainment Association, a UK industry trade group, works with the VSC to help properly label such games and provide informational material to parents. Games featuring strong pornographic content or ancillary mini-games to be included with a DVD feature will still be rated by the BBFC.

International

The IARC adopted its own rating system in countries and territories that are not represented by a participating rating authority.[43]

Usage

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

See also
  • Video game controversy
  • Motion picture content rating system
  • Mobile software content rating system
  • Television content rating system
  • International Age Rating Coalition
  • Research on the effects of violence in mass media

References
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  2. Bonner, Jerry (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. Felini, Damiano (January 2015). "Beyond Today's Video Game Rating Systems A Critical Approach to PEGI and ESRB, and Proposed Improvements". Games and Culture. 10 (1): 106–122. doi:10.1177/1555412014560192.
  4. "Kaufhof schafft Filme und Spiele für Erwachsene ab". Der Spiegel (in German). 18 March 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2009.
  5. "Content ratings for apps & games - Play Console Help". support.google.com. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  6. "تطبيق نظام تصنيف عمري للألعاب جديد في السعودية". IGN الشرق الأوسط (in Arabic). 16 August 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  7. Anderson, Craig A.; et al. (2010). "Violent video game effects on aggression, empathy, and prosocial behavior in eastern and western countries: a meta-analytic review". Psychological Bulletin. 136 (2): 151–173. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.535.382. doi:10.1037/a0018251. PMID 20192553. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  8. "Video Violence: Villain or Victim?", Guy Cumberbatch, London Video Standards Council, 2004
  9. "It's Not the Media", Karen Sternheimer, Westview Press, 2003
  10. Benedetti, Winda (2008-02-18). "Why search our souls when video games make such an easy scapegoat?". NBC News. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
  11. Radoff, Jon (2009-12-08). "Six Wonderful Things about Games". Retrieved 2009-12-19.
  12. Green, C. Shawn; Bavelier, Daphne (29 May 2003). "Action video game modifies visual selective attention". Nature. 423 (6939): 534. doi:10.1038/nature01647. PMID 12774121.
  13. Kaverna (2005-07-19). "Ley 26.043 regula los videojuegos" (in Spanish). 3DGames.
  14. "Ley 26.043 - Los videojuegos deben llevar la leyenda "La sobreexposición es perjudicial para la salud"" (in Spanish). El Cronista. 2005-07-17.
  15. "Juguetes, juegos y artículos para recreo o deporte; sus partes y accesorios. Capítulo 95 del SA" (in Spanish). Latin American Integration Association.
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  17. "ADVA". Archived from the original on October 24, 2005. Retrieved September 24, 2013.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
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  21. "PEGI Pan European Game Information - What do the labels mean?".
  22. "Kansallinen audiovisuaalinen instituutti" (in Finnish). Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  23. Widiartanto, Yoga Hastayadi. "Indonesia Resmi Punya Sistem "Rating Game" Sendiri - Kompas.com". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  24. "外部リンク：「青少年の健全な育成のためのコンテンツ流通研究会 報告書」の公表について（H18.4.18）（WARP）" (in Japanese). Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. 2006-04-18. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
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  26. "中央教育審議会 次代を担う自立した青少年の育成に向けて－青少年の意欲を高め，心と体の相伴った成長を促す方策について－（答申）［参考資料］ 都道府県の青少年保護育成条例における有害図書類等の指定等に関する規定について－文部科学省". www.mext.go.jp. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. 2007-01-30. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
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  34. "New Zealand's classification labels". New Zealand: Office of Film and Literature Classification. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
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