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Entertainment Software Rating Board (view source)

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[[File:ESRB_Logo.png|thumb|270px|The ESRB logo.]]
[[File:ESRB_Logo.png|thumb|270px|The ESRB logo.]]
The '''Entertainment Software Rating Board''' ('''ESRB''') is a self-regulatory organization that applies and enforces ratings, advertising guidelines, and online privacy principles for computer and video games and other entertainment software in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]] (officially adopted by individual provinces 2004-2005). It was established in 1994 by the [[wp:Entertainment Software Association|Interactive Digital Software Association]]. By early [[2003]], it had rated over 8,000 titles submitted by 350 video game publishers. Many believe that the ESRB may promote media restriction, while others think that it is necessary for software to have content ratings. The decision to found the ESRB was influenced by the graphic "fatality" killing moves of [[wikia:c:MK|Mortal Kombat]] and other controversial video games depicting violent or sexual situations at the time, and by pressure from the United States government.
The '''Entertainment Software Rating Board''' ('''ESRB''') they are a self-regulatory organization that applies and enforces ratings, advertising guidelines, and online privacy principles for computer and video games and other entertainment software in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]] (officially adopted by individual provinces 2004-2005). It was established in 1994 by the [[wp:Entertainment Software Association|Interactive Digital Software Association]]. By early [[2003]], it had rated over 8,000 titles submitted by 350 video game publishers. Many believe that the ESRB may promote media restriction, while others think that it is necessary for software to have content ratings. The decision to found the ESRB was influenced by the graphic "fatality" killing moves of [[wikia:c:MK|Mortal Kombat]] and other controversial video games depicting violent or sexual situations at the time, and by pressure from the United States government.


==Overview==
==Overview==
The ESRB applies ratings to games based on their content, similar to the motion picture rating systems used in many countries. Their aim is to aid consumers in determining a game's content and suitability. A game's rating is displayed on its box, the media, in advertisements and on game web sites.
The ESRB applies ratings to games based on their content, similar to the motion picture rating systems used in many countries. Their aim is to aid consumers in determining a game's content and suitability. A game's rating is displayed on its box, the media, in advertisements and on game web sites.


The rating system is voluntary, and companies do not have to submit a game for rating before selling it. However, almost all game publishers in the United States use the system.
The rating system is voluntary, and companies do not have to submit a game for rating before selling it. However, almost all game publishers in the United States use the system.
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| [[Image:ESRB EC.png|none|40px|ESRB Rating: EC (Early Childhood)]] || '''EC''' — '''Early Childhood''': Contains content that may be suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate. Games that fall under this rating are specifically intended for young children and are usually educational in nature. However, some educational games with more complex problems (Such as the ''Dr. Brain'' series) may be rated E.
| [[Image:ESRB EC.png|none|40px|ESRB Rating: EC (Early Childhood)]] || '''EC''' — '''Early Childhood''': Contains content that may be suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate. Games that fall under this rating are specifically intended for young children and are usually educational in nature. However, some educational games with more complex problems (Such as the ''Dr. Brain'' series) may be rated E.
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| [[Image:ESRB E.png|none|40px|ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)]] || '''E''' — '''Everyone''': Contains content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language. It is often likened to the MPAA's "G" rating. It was known as ''K-A'' (Kids - Adults) until 1998.
| [[Image:ESRB E.png|none|40px|ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)]] || '''E''' — '''Everyone''': Contains content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language. It is often likened to the MPAA's "G" rating. It was known as ''K-A'' (Kids - Adults) until 1998.
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| [[Image:ESRB E10+.png|none|40px|ESRB Rating: E10+]] || '''E10+''' — '''Everyone 10 and older''': (Also known as Preteen) Contains content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language, minimal and/or infrequent blood and/or minimal suggestive themes. Added to the ESRB ratings icons on March 2nd, [[2005]]. ''Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat'' was the first game to receive this rating. Super Smash Bros. Melee and The Incredibles could possibly have had this rating if they were released after that date. This rating is often likened to the MPAA's "PG" Rating.
| [[Image:ESRB E10+.png|none|40px|ESRB Rating: E10+]] || '''E10+''' — '''Everyone 10 and older''': (Also known as Preteen) Contains content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language, minimal and/or infrequent blood and/or minimal suggestive themes. Added to the ESRB ratings icons on March 2nd, [[2005]]. ''Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat'' was the first game to receive this rating. Super Smash Bros. Melee and The Incredibles could possibly have had this rating if they were released after that date. This rating is often likened to the MPAA's "PG" Rating.
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| [[Image:ESRB T.png|none|40px|ESRB Rating: T (Teen)]] || '''T''' — '''Teen''': Contains content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, mild sexual content, minimal blood and/or infrequent use of strong language. It is often likened to the MPAA's "PG-13" rating.
| [[Image:ESRB T.png|none|40px|ESRB Rating: T (Teen)]] || '''T''' — '''Teen''': Contains content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, mild sexual content, minimal blood and/or infrequent use of strong language. It is often likened to the MPAA's "PG-13" rating.
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| [[Image:ESRB M.png|none|40px|ESRB Rating: M (Mature)]] || '''M''' — '''Mature''': Contains content that may be suitable for ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and/or strong language inappropriate for young audiences. It is often likened to the MPAA's "R" rating, and is the video game equivalent. Many retailers (such as Wal-Mart) have a policy of not selling games with this rating to minors without parental presence and approval.
| [[Image:ESRB M.png|none|40px|ESRB Rating: M (Mature)]] || '''M''' — '''Mature''': Contains content that may be suitable for ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and/or strong language inappropriate for young audiences. It is often likened to the MPAA's "R" rating, and is the video game equivalent. Many retailers (such as Wal-Mart) have a policy of not selling games with this rating to minors without parental presence and approval.
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| [[Image:ESRB AO.png|none|40px|ESRB Rating: AO (Adults Only)]] || '''AO''' — '''Adults Only''': Contains content that is suitable only for adults. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity. This is often compared to the MPAA's "NC-17" rating because of the similar age limit and amount of restrictions that are placed on sales. As of [[2006]], there are 22 AO-rated products, most of which are available on [[wp:Microsoft Windows|Windows]] and Apple Macintosh computers, as well as the [[wp:Phillips CD-i|Phillips CD-i]]. The AO rating is a subject of heated controversy because of the extreme restrictions it puts on game sales. Notably, ''[[wikia:c:en.gta:Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas|Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]'' was re-rated AO due to the release of the "[[Hot Coffee mod|Hot Coffee]]" hack. '''Note:''' After the code in ''Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'' was patched on the [[Personal Computer|PC]], a second edition was released with the old "Mature" rating.
| [[Image:ESRB AO.png|none|40px|ESRB Rating: AO (Adults Only)]] || '''AO''' — '''Adults Only''': Contains content that is suitable only for adults. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity. This is often compared to the MPAA's "NC-17" rating because of the similar age limit and amount of restrictions that are placed on sales. As of [[2006]], there are 22 AO-rated products, most of which are available on [[wp:Microsoft Windows|Windows]] and Apple Macintosh computers, as well as the [[wp:Phillips CD-i|Phillips CD-i]]. The AO rating is a subject of heated controversy because of the extreme restrictions it puts on game sales. Notably, ''[[wikia:c:en.gta:Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas|Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]'' was re-rated AO due to the release of the "[[Hot Coffee mod|Hot Coffee]]" hack. '''Note:''' After the code in ''Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'' was patched on the [[Personal Computer|PC]], a second edition was released with the old "Mature" rating.
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| [[Image:ESRB RP.png|none|40px|ESRB Rating: RP (Rating Pending)]] || '''RP''' — '''Rating Pending''': Product has been submitted to the ESRB and is awaiting final rating. This symbol appears only in advertising prior to a game's release.
| [[Image:ESRB RP.png|none|40px|ESRB Rating: RP (Rating Pending)]] || '''RP''' — '''Rating Pending''': Product has been submitted to the ESRB and is awaiting final rating. This symbol appears only in advertising prior to a game's release.
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*'''Crude Humor''' — Depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including "bathroom humor".
*'''Crude Humor''' — Depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including "bathroom humor".
*'''Drug Reference''' — Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs.
*'''Drug Reference''' — Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs.
*'''Edutainment''' — Content of product provides user with specific skills development or reinforcement learning within an entertainment setting. Skill development is an integral part of product.
*'''Edutainment''' — Content of product provides user with specific skills development or reinforcement learning within an entertainment setting. Skill development is an integral part of product.
*'''Fantasy Violence''' — Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life.
*'''Fantasy Violence''' — Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life.
*'''Informational''' — Overall content of product contains data, facts, resource information, reference materials or instructional text.
*'''Informational''' — Overall content of product contains data, facts, resource information, reference materials or instructional text.
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*'''Partial Nudity''' — Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity.
*'''Partial Nudity''' — Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity.
*'''Real Gambling''' — Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency. (Note: This descriptor only appears on games rated Adults Only)
*'''Real Gambling''' — Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency. (Note: This descriptor only appears on games rated Adults Only)
*'''Sexual Themes''' — Mild to moderate sexual references and/or depictions. May include partial nudity.
*'''Sexual Themes''' — Mild to moderate sexual references and/or depictions. May include partial nudity.
*'''Sexual Violence''' — Depictions of rape or other sexual acts.
*'''Sexual Violence''' — Depictions of rape or other sexual acts.
*'''Simulated Gambling''' — Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency.
*'''Simulated Gambling''' — Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency.
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