Comic Artists Direct

I don't like the idea of censorship. No one should be able to tell me what entertainment I can share with my children. I am, however, a fan of ratings, as long as we the people keep our government out of it. That's where the Entertainment Software Rating Board comes in.

We've all seen the little black rating boxes on video games but few of us know what they really mean. Read on and wonder no more.

First a little background. The ESRB in an independent, non-profit organization that has developed a comprehensive rating system for computer and video games to help you decide which games are too much for your kids. And if you're in the mood for a little blood and gore, the ratings are good for determining which games to rent, too.

Games are reviewed by three separate raters, typical consumers from all walks of life with ESRB training who go frame by frame through the game and assigning rating and appropriate content descriptors. Results are reviewed by ESRB staff and rated. Enough prelims: this is what the ratings mean. The rating symbols appear on the front of the game box, the content descriptors on the back.

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.

Titles rated Kids to Adult (K-A) 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.

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.

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.

Titles rated Mature (M) have content suitable for persons 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.

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.

The 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. Violence contains depictions of aggressive conflict. Mild Animated Violence contains scenes depicting cartoon/animated/pixilated characters in unsafe or hazardous acts or violent situations. Mild Realistic Violence contains scenes depicting characters in unsafe or hazardous acts or violent situations in photographic detail. Comic Mischief contains scenes depicting activities characterized as slapstick or gross vulgar humor. Animated Violence contains depictions of aggressive conflict involving cartoon/animated/pixilated characters. Realistic Violence contains realistic or photographic-like depictions of aggressive conflict.

Blood contains depictions of blood. Blood and Gore contains depictions of mutilation or dismemberment of body parts. Animated Blood and Gore is animated/pixilated or cartoon-like depictions of mutilation or dismemberment of body parts. Realistic Blood and Gore is depictions of mutilation or dismemberment of body parts in realistic or photographic-like detail. Animated Blood is animated/pixilated or cartoon-like depictions of blood. Realistic Blood is representations of blood in realistic or photographic-like detail.

Mild Language the product contains the use of words like "damn". Strong Language has commonly referenced four-letter words. Mild Lyrics has soundtracks which contain song lyrics with words such as "hell or damn". Strong Lyrics has soundtracks which contain song lyrics that may contain words such as commonly referenced four letter words or may include anatomical references.

Mature Sexual Themes contains provocative material; including depiction of the human body in either animated or photographic-like formats. Strong Sexual Content is graphic depiction of sexual behavior and/or the human form (i.e., frontal nudity) in either animated or photographic-like detail.

Some useful Early Childhood designations are Some Adult Assistance May Be Needed; Reading Skills; Fine Motor Skills; Higher Level of Thinking Skills.

Gaming is the depiction of betting-like behavior. Gambling, the depiction of betting-like behavior. Use of Tobacco and Alcoholcontains images of the use of tobacco and/or alcohol in a manner which condones or glorifies their use. Use of Drugs contains images of the use of drugs in a manner which condones or glorifies their use.

Informational means overall content of product contains data, facts, resource information, reference materials or instructional text. Edutainment means content of product provides user with specific skills development or reinforcement learning within an entertainment setting. Skill development is an integral part of product.

It's interesting that ESRB also provides services for rating websites and online games, for ensuring online privacy protection and for reviewing advertising created by the interactive entertainment industry. Check out their website at www.esrb.com.

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