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| Select Your Language German | Spanish | French | Italian | Portuguese The Entertainment Software Rating System What is the ESRB? The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) system is designed to help parents, families, and consumers to best select video games and software for specific age groups. Consisting of two parts the ESRB includes rating symbols for the specific age groups and content descriptions so that consumers will have a good idea of the type of game they are buying and certain elements of content which may be included in the game, such as violence or adult themes. The ESRB ratings gives control to parents and consumers about the type of content they prefer to purchase. The rating symbols are located on the front of the box and the content descriptors are located on the back of the box. It is important to review both elements when choosing games for children. About the Ratings Early Childhood Games which are rated EC or Early Childhood are designed for children ages three and older. These games contain no material which parents would consider inappropriate for youngsters. Everyone Games rated E for Everyone are best suitable for children ages six and older. Titles in this category may contain mild violence, some comic mischief, and/or mild language. Teen Games rated T for Teen are best suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in the Teen category may contain violent content, mild to strong language, and/or suggestive themes. Mature Games rated M for Mature are best suitable for consumers ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain mature sexual themes, more intense violence, and/or strong language. Adults Only Games rated AO for Adults only are designed for adult consumers only. Titles in the AO category may contain graphic depictions of sex and/or violence. AO products are not intended for anyone under the age of 18. Rating Pending Games rated RP for Rating Pending have been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting a final rating. About the Content Descriptions Additional content descriptions about the product may include any of the following: Alcohol Reference - Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages Animated Blood - Cartoon or pixilated 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 characters. May include violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted Comic Mischief - Scenes depicting slapstick or gross vulgar humor Crude Humor - Moderately 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 Gambling - Betting like behavior 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 Mature Humor - Vulgar and/or crude jokes and antics including "bathroom" humor Mature Sexual Themes - Provocative material, possibly including partial nudity Mild Language - Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use Mild Lyrics - Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music Mild Violence - Mild scenes depicting characters in unsafe and/or violent situations Nudity - Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity Partial Nudity - Brief and mild depictions of nudity Sexual Violence - Depictions of rape or other sexual acts Some Adult Assistance May Be Needed - Early Childhood Descriptor only Strong Language - Profanity and explicit references to sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use Strong Lyrics - Profanity and explicit references to sex, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music Strong Sexual Content - Graphic depiction 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 conflict Some online games which include user-generated content such as chat, skins, and maps will carry the warning "Game Experience May Change During Online Play" as the content created by the players of the game has not been rated by the ESRB. Older games may include ratings and content descriptions no longer used which include: Kids to Adult - The K-A rating includes content which is designed for ages six to adult. They may contain mild violence, minimal mischief, or some crude language. Content descriptions of older, previously published games may include: Gaming - Betting-like behavior Mild Animated Violence - Mild cartoon or pixilated scenes depicting animated characters in unsafe and/or violent situations Mild Realistic Violence - Mild photographic-like detailed depictions of characters in unsafe and/or violent situations Animated Violence - Cartoon or pixilated scenes depicting animated characters in unsafe and/or violent situations Realistic Violence - Photographic-like detailed depictions of characters in unsafe and/or violent situations Animated Blood and Gore - Cartoon or pixilated images of blood or the mutilation of body parts Realistic Blood and Gore - Photographic-like detailed depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts Realistic Blood - Photographic-like detailed depictions of blood 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 The ESRB rating system exists to put the power of choice into the hands of parents and consumers. The ratings permit consumers to evaluate the game content before purchase. The ESRB recommends that parents and consumers learn about the intended product before purchase. The ratings are not designed to recommend one product over another, rather they are a tool to help choose more wisely. Consumers and families will base the final decision to rent or buy a game on their own tastes and needs. When children are intended as the end-user of the product, it is always best for a responsible adult to learn about and enjoy the game together with the child. You may be surprised to discover what you will learn from each other! Media resources courtesy of the Entertainment Software Rating Board.
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