ESRB Ratings Guide

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ESRB RATINGS

What Are ESRB Ratings?

When you pick up a video game and see it rated as "Everyone" or "Mature," this is the rating applied by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), an independent board which developed a standardized rating system for interactive entertainment software products. Amazon and BlazingThumbs has chosen to list ESRB ratings on its video games to help consumers understand what kind of choices they are making. This is not meant to tell you what to buy, only to serve as a source of information when choosing a product.

Early Childhood

Titles rated Early Childhood (EC) have content suitable for children ages three and older and do not contain any material that parents would find inappropriate.

Everyone

As of January 1, 1998, the new "Everyone" designation will replace the "Kids to Adults" rating. Titles rated "Everyone (E)" have content suitable for persons ages six and older. These titles will appeal to people of many ages and tastes. They may contain minimal
violence, some comic mischief (for example, slapstick comedy), or some crude language.

Teen

Titles rated Teen(T)" have content suitable for persons ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violent content , mild or strong language, and/or suggestive themes.

Mature

Titles rated "Mature (M)" have content suitable for users ages 17 and older. These products may include more intense violence or language than products in the Teen category. In addition, these titles may also include mature sexual themes.

Adults Only

Only Titles rated "Adults Only (AO)" have content suitable only for adults. These products may include graphic depictions of sex and/or violence. Adults Only products are not intended to be sold or rented to persons under the age of 18.

Rating Pending

Product has been submitted to the ESRB and is awaiting final rating.

When consumers look on the back of a package, they may see any of the following phrases that further describe the product's content.

Content Descriptors:

Animated Blood	Animated/pixilated or cartoon like depictions of blood.
Animated Blood and Gore*	Animated/pixilated or cartoon like depictions of mutilation or dismemberment of body parts.
Animated Violence*	Contains depictions of aggressive conflict involving cartoon/animated/pixilated characters.
Blood	Contains depictions of blood.
Blood and Gore	Contains depictions of mutilation or dismemberment of body parts.
Comic Mischief	Contains scenes depicting activities characterized as slapstick or gross vulgar humor.
Edutainment	Content of product provides user wit specific skills development or reinforcement learning within an entertainment setting. Skill development is an integral part of product.
Gambling	The depictions of betting like behavior.
Gaming	The depiction of betting-like behavior.
Informational	Overall content of product contains data, facts, resource information, reference materials or instructional text.
Mature Sexual Themes	Contains provocative material, including depiction of the human body in either animated or photographic like formats.
Mild Animated Violence*	Contains scenes depicting cartoon/animated/pixilated characters in unsafe or hazardous acts or violent situations.
Mild Language	Product contains the use of words like "damn."
Mild Lyrics	Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use.
Mild Realistic Violence*	Contains scenes depicting characters in unsafe or hazardous acts or violent situations in photographic detail.
Mild Violence	Scenes or activities, which depict characters in unsafe and/or violent situations.
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.
Realistic Blood*	Representations of blood in realistic or photographic like detail.
Realistic Blood and Gore*	Depictions of mutilation of body parts in realistic or photographic like detail.
Realistic Violence*	Contains realistic or photographic like depictions of aggressive conflict.
Some Adult Assistance May Be Needed	Early Childhood Descriptor only.
Strong Language	Commonly referenced four-letter words.
Strong Lyrics	Profanity and explicit references to sex, violence, alcohol, or drug use.
Strong Sexual Content	Graphic depiction of sexual behavior and/or the human form (i.e., frontal nudity) in either animated or photographic like detail.
Suggestive Themes	Mild provocative references or materials.
Use of Drugs	Product contains images of the use of drugs in a manner, which condones or glorifies their use.
Use of Tobacco and Alcohol	Product contains images of the use of tobacco and/or alcohol in a manner, which condones or glorifies their use.
Violence	Scenes or activities, which involve violent acts.

* Discontinued descriptors that may still be in the market place.
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