ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board)
What is the ESRB?
The ESRB is a board of people who rate all games and software for the safety of our children. I am a grown adult, so I do not pay too much attention to ESRB ratings. I do enjoy a wide variety of games and always try to give my personal opinion and ratings on all games I play and review. ESRB ratings are good to keep unwanted games out of the hands of easily influential children. I mean would you want your child who still believes in Santa to play a game all about killing him? Or a game that may seem harmless on the cover and turn out to have mass shootings or sexually explicit scenes? I for one as a huge gamer do see the argument on both sides of the field. I see why gamers get upset when a rating does not fit a game they do not think is as bad. I also see where the ESRB stands. The one thing I do not understand is the fact that so many people blame games for kids growing up to be criminals. No offense, but if a game is influencing a child that much, then where are their parents? That is a discussion of a whole other matter though that I just choose to not jump into. Everyone has their own opinions and views, and they are entitled to them. So now let's take a look at these ratings and some games that go with them.
If you would like to know more about the ESRB then here is a link. ESRB About Page
Early Childhood
Early Childhood games are targeted at young impressionable preschool children. These games are designed to help educators and teach children some valuable skills, motor functions along with exploring new things. All of these games are very simple and easy to play. They help build children thought processes, understand simple ideas, and also help with eye-hand coordination. These games are typically very cartoon and animated styles of gameplay. Games range from anything like Sesame Street, Mickey Mouse, and even Sponge-Bob Games.
Everyone
Games with the Everyone rating are games that range from kids to adults. There are a wide variety of games in this rating. Games from family games, puzzle games, storybook games and even games in the Lego universe. Now, these games may also have very mild and limited language or some possible cartoon violence. It is very unlikely to have any of that in the game or it is far too little to be of any real significance. These games are aimed at family fun for all ages.
Everyone 10+
Games with the Everyone 10+ rating are slightly higher due to a bit more violence, possible suggestive content, crude humor, and mild language. These games are typical games for older children to adults who have more of an understanding of the possible actions, and language seen in these games. Again these games have a wide range of game types and can be in almost every style and genre of games. They can be games from puzzles, to RPGs. They still do hold a lot of fun for the whole family.
Teen
Games with the Teen rating are basically rated for kids thirteen and up. These games will have a moderate amount of violence and may include small amounts of blood. These games also have mild to moderate language, crude humor, and suggestive themes. There may also be a slim chance of possible sexual content. Nothing to serious to warrant it a Mature 17+ rating. Some of these games do have to look at content wise depending on what you want or do not want your teens playing. Again this all falls to the parents. Not the games. These games range from anything like Action games, FPS games, and RPGs. There is a wide variety of games in this rating category as well.
Mature 17+
Games with the Mature rating are designed for older teens who already have an understanding of sexual content and violence. These games are typically higher rated then teen for more realistic violence with more blood, gore, and bodily mutilations. These also have stronger sexual content, themes, and even partial nudity. They also have a higher chance of strong suggestive language. These games range on all platforms, and game types. These are also more typically online games where you have a higher chance of dealing with very unruly players in a game. Again these games are rated for a reason as such and need to be watched by the parents. Not all Mature-rated games are completely bad for younger teens, but the content needs to be researched before making a decision. Some games get a mature rating because of small scenes that could potentially leave your younger teen or child questioning you later about the birds and the bees.
Adult Only
Games with the Adult Only rating are games with extreme violence, strong sexual themes, graphic nudity, or gambling with real money. Rarely a game gets an Adult only rating for violence. Most of the games rated Adult Only are typically pornographic in a sense. These games are more for adults 18+. These games may seem rare on the shelves at stores but can be easily found online. Again I can not stress this enough. If you are unsure of what your kids are playing just take a look at the games rating and even a quick Google search can tell you just about all you need to know about these games. I personally would not let kids, and or teens play most Adult Only games.
Rated Pending
Games with the Rated Pending rating are typically games that are new and out for promotional use. It typically means they just have not been given a full rating because mostly the game is just unfinished or still going through the final stages of being finished. Typically you will find these games being advertised, or on display at your typical game stores.
Now, game ratings differ from region to region. Every country and region has their own set of standards and rating system. I live in the USA so mine may very well be really different from yours. All you have to do is Google your game ratings for your region. Plus this is the internet. If you really want to know what your kid is playing then just grab their game and search for reviews. I believe all games can be enjoyed by all age groups with a certain level of parenting. Now obviously you will not let your ten-year-old boy play a game like Leisure Suit Larry. He will never come out of his room again. Or a game like ManHunt. If your child is losing grip on reality and becoming too involved or begins believing in games too much to the point they lose a sense of reality, then the fault sadly falls on the parents. Just be involved in your children's day to day activities. You do not have to enjoy the game just to play it with them. On the plus side, it gives you the cool parent points as well. Plus you will be there to guide them and direct them if they have questions about something in a game. All the information is out there, you just need to give some effort to your children and search it out. All the information I found for my games ratings were found at the links below.
ESRB Wiki
ESRB Official Site
I hope this little article gives you some help and insight as to how games are rated and what to watch for, and to help you choose what is suitable for your children. I hope you all have an amazing day and thank you all for reading!
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