Entertainment Software Rating Board
The ESRB is the ratings system used in the United States of America and Canada. Here is a complete evaluation of the ESRB ratings system:
Current
EC — Early Childhood: A game with this rating is intended for very young audiences (usually over 3 years of age) | |
E — Everyone: Generally these games are suitable for people 6 and over. These games may have mild cartoon violence, mischief, among other non-serious actions. | |
E10+ — Everyone 10+: Added in 2005 after there were some complaints about a lack of a rating between E and T. | |
T — Teen: This class usually contains scenes that are appropriate for teenagers, however not for a young audience. A game rated T may contain mild language, small amounts of blood, and light violence. Grand Theft Auto 2 is an example and only Grand Theft Auto to have the T rating. | |
M — Mature: Games in this category contain violence, and may contain violence, strong language, and light sexual content. Grand Theft Auto's that are rated M are: Grand Theft Auto 1, Grand Theft Auto 3, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas*, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, and finally Grand Theft Auto: Advance. | |
AO — Adults Only: Contains content suitable for adults over 18 years of age. Games contain strong violence, strong sexual content, strong language, use of drugs/alcohol, etc. Some editions of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas were rated this due to the Hot Coffee mod. |