ESRB Ratings Overview
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings are designed to provide information about video and computer game content, so you can make informed purchase decisions. ESRB ratings have two parts: rating symbols suggest age appropriateness for the game, and content descriptors indicate elements in a game that may have triggered a particular rating and/or may be of interest or concern.
To take full advantage of the ESRB rating system, it's important to check both the rating symbol (on the front of the game box) and the content descriptors (on the back of the game box).
ESRB Rating Search Widget and/or Mobile App
Search ESRB's data base of 20,000 games and read the rating summaries (for titles that have them) by using the ESRB Rating Search Widget or download the ESRB Rating Search App (Available for iOS, Android and Windows Phone).
ESRB Rating Symbols
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Titles rated EC - Early Childhood have content that may be suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate.
EVERYONE
Titles rated E (Everyone) have 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.
EVERYONE 10+
Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language, and/or minimal suggestive themes.
TEEN
Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.
MATURE
Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.
ADULTS ONLY
Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.
RATING PENDING
Titles listed as RP (Rating Pending)— have been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting final rating. (This symbol appears only in advertising prior to a game's release.)
ESRB Content Descriptors
Alcohol Reference
Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages
Animated Blood
Discolored and/or unrealistic depictions of blood
Blood
Depictions of blood
Blood and Gore
Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts
Cartoon Violence
Violent actions involving cartoon-like situations and characters. May include violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted
Comic Mischief
Depictions or dialogue involving slapstick or suggestive humor
Crude Humor
Depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including *bathroom* humor
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
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
Intense Violence
Graphic and realistic-looking depictions of physical conflict. May involve extreme and/or realistic blood, gore, weapons, and depictions of human injury and death
Language
Mild to moderate use of profanity
Lyrics
Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music
Mature Humor
Depictions or dialogue involving "adult" humor, including sexual references
Nudity
Graphic or prolonged 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
Sexual Content
Non-explicit depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including partial nudity
Sexual Themes
References to sex or sexuality
Sexual Violence
Depictions of rape or other sexual acts
Simulated Gambling
Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency
Some Adult Assistance May Be Needed
Intended for very young ages
Strong Language
Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity
Strong Lyrics
Explicit and/or frequent references to profanity, sex, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music
Strong Sexual Content
Explicit and/or frequent depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity
Suggestive Themes
Mild provocative references or materials
Tobacco Reference
Reference to and/or images of tobacco products
Use of Drugs
The consumption or use of illegal drugs
Use of Alcohol
The consumption of alcoholic beverages
Use of Tobacco
The consumption of tobacco products
Violence
Scenes involving aggressive content. May include bloodless dismemberment
Violent References
References to violent acts
**When a content descriptor is preceded by the term Mild, it conveys low frequency, intensity or severity of the content it modifies.
Rating Summaries
Rating summaries are a supplementary source of information which explain in objective terms the context and relevant content that factored into a game's ESRB rating assignment. Although rating summaries don't appear on game packages, they are available via the rating search on ESRB's website, the rating search widget, ESRB's mobile website at m.esrb.org, and rating search apps for iPhone, Android and Window Phone 7 (available in July 2011).
Rating Summaries
Online-enabled games carry the notice Online Interactions Not Rated by the ESRB. This notice warns those who intend to play the game online about possible exposure to chat (text, audio, video) or other types of content created by other players (e.g., maps, skins) that have not been considered in the ESRB rating assignment. For the most up to date list of content descriptors and definitions, go to http://www.esrb.org
About Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) The ESRB is a non-profit, self-regulatory body that independently assigns ratings, enforces advertising guidelines, and helps ensure responsible online privacy practices for the interactive entertainment software industry.
