Entertainment Software Rating Board

The Entertainment Software Rating Board ( ESRB ) 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 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 Mortal Kombat and other controversial video games depicting violent or sexual situations at the time, and by pressure from the United States government. 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 has two parts: rating symbols and content descriptors . The rating symbols are usually found on the lower right or the lower left hand corner on the front of the box, they suggest what age group the game is best suited for. The content descriptors are found on the back of the box, usually in the lower left or right hand corner, they describe particular content elements that may be of interest or concern. The symbols the ESRB uses are stylized depictions of alphabetical letters meant to convey at a glance a game's suitability. Although they were originally white with a black outline (as seen in the K-A rating logo), the rating letters have been displayed as entirely black letters (in order to be more legible) since the later part of 1999. Historic criticism of this ratings system has centered on its vague definitions of age groups and reliance on seemingly arbitrary lettering systems. Below is a table explaining the ESRB ratings system, with descriptions of what each letter represents. The ESRB have rated GTA games ranging from T (Teen) to AO (Adults only). Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was famously re-rated following the Hot Coffee incident, where its M rating was removed and changed to AO. A 2nd edition of the game was released shortly after, and the game regained it's M rating. Please note that the content descriptors are not always printed as shown below, they may have additional words added to further clarify the highlighted content such as " Mild Blood" and " Mild Suggestive Themes". 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 or animated situations and characters. May also 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,