Video game content rating system


A video game content rating system is a system used for the classification of video games based on suitability for target audiences. Most of these systems are associated with and/or sponsored by a government, and are sometimes part of the local motion picture rating system. The utility of such ratings has been called into question by studies that publish findings such as 90% of teenagers claim that their parents "never" check the ratings before allowing them to rent or buy video games, and as such, calls have been made to "fix" the existing rating systems. Video game content rating systems can be used as the basis for laws that cover the sales of video games to minors, such as in Australia. Rating checking and approval is part of the game localization when they are being prepared for their distribution in other countries or locales. These rating systems have also been used to voluntarily restrict sales of certain video games by stores, such as the German retailer Galeria Kaufhof's removal of all video games rated 18+ by the USK following the Winnenden school shooting.

Comparison table

A comparison of current video game rating systems, showing age on the horizontal axis. Note however that the specific criteria used in assigning a classification can vary widely from one country to another. Thus a color code or age range cannot be directly compared from one country to another.
Key:
  • White – No restrictions: Suitable for all ages / Aimed at young audiences / Exempt / Not rated / No applicable rating.
  • Yellow – Advisory: Parental guidance is suggested for designated age range.
  • Purple – Strong advisory: Not recommended for a younger audience but not restricted.
  • Red – Restricted: Parental accompaniment required for younger audiences.
  • Black – Prohibitive: Exclusively for older audience / Purchase age-restricted / Banned.
In the above table, Italics indicate a multinational/transnational organization.

Initial controversy

Similar to other forms of media, video games have been the subject of argument between leading professionals and restriction and prohibition. Often these bouts of criticism come from use of debated topics such as video game graphic violence, virtual sex, violent and gory scenes, partial or full nudity, drug use, portrayal of criminal behavior or other provocative and objectionable material.
Video games have also been studied for links to addiction and aggression. A meta analysis of studies from both eastern and western countries yielded evidence that "strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior."
There are also groups that have argued to the contrary, that few if any scientifically proven studies exist to back up these claims, and that the video game industry has become an easy target for the media to blame for many contemporary issues. Researchers have also proposed potential positive effects of video games on aspects of social and cognitive development and psychological well-being. It has been shown that action video game players have better hand-eye coordination and visuo-motor skills, such as their resistance to distraction, their sensitivity to information in the peripheral vision and their ability to count briefly presented objects, than non-players.

Rating systems

Argentina

The law 26.043 states that the National Council of Children, Youth and Family in coordination with the National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts will be the government agencies that assigns age ratings. The Argentine Game Developer Association was critical of the law. There are three ratings: "Suitable for all public", "Suitable for those over 13 years of age" and "Suitable for those over 18 years of age".

Australia

  • Advisory categories
  • * General – General. The content is very mild in impact. The G classification is suitable for everyone.
  • * Parental Guidance – Parental guidance recommended. The content is mild in impact. It is not recommended for viewing or playing by persons under 15 without guidance from parents or guardians.
  • * Mature – Recommended for mature audiences. The content is moderate in impact. Children under 15 may legally access this material because it is an advisory category. However, M classified films and computer games may include classifiable elements such as violence and nudity of moderate impact that are not recommended for children under 15 years.
  • Restricted categories
  • * Mature Accompanied – Not suitable for people under 15. Under 15s must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. The content is strong in impact.
  • * Restricted – Restricted to 18 years and over. The content is high in impact. Despite this category being legally restricted, in Queensland the restriction is not applicable to persons under 2.
The Australian Classification Board is a statutory classification body formed by the Australian Government which classifies films, video games and publications for exhibition, sale or hire in Australia since its establishment in 1970. The Classification Board was originally incorporated in the Office of Film and Literature Classification which was dissolved in 2006. Originally a part of the Attorney-General's Department and overseen by the Minister for Justice, the ACB is now a branch of the Department of Communications and the Arts which provides administrative support to the Board and is overseen by the Minister for Communications & the Arts. Decisions made by the Board may be reviewed by the Australian Classification Review Board.

Austria

There is no uniform ratings system in Austria, and the nine states regulate content in different ways. The two main systems are PEGI and Germany's USK system.

Brazil

The advisory rating rates films, games and television shows in Brazil. It is controlled by the Ministry of Justice.

Chile

Games are classified by the Council of Cinematographic Classification which is a central agency under the Ministry of Education.
The current age ratings are:
  • ER – Recommended for children.
  • TE – All ages.
  • 8+ – Not recommended for children under 8 years of age.
  • 14+ – Not recommended for children under 14 years of age.
  • 18+ – Not recommended for children under 18 years of age.
The manufacturers, importers, suppliers and merchants are only permitted to sell and rent video games that are classified as 8, 14 or 18, to those who prove they meet those ages respectively. In the case of each sale or lease by physical means, the respective identity card is required.

China

China introduced a pilot content rating system in December 2020 called the Online Game Age-Appropriateness Warning, which is overseen by the governmental agency . Games with online components are required to show one of the three classifications on websites and registration pages: green for "8+", blue for "12+", and yellow for "16+".

Europe

The Pan European Game Information is a European video game content rating system established to help European parents make informed decisions on buying computer games with logos on games boxes. It was developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe and came into use in April 2003; it replaced many national age rating systems with a single European system. The PEGI system is now used in more than thirty-one countries and is based on a code of conduct, a set of rules to which every publisher using the PEGI system is contractually committed. PEGI self-regulation is composed by five age categories and seven content descriptors that advise the suitability and content of a game for a certain age range based on the games content. The ratings are:
  • 3: Suitable for all age groups.
  • 7: Not suitable for younger children.
  • 12: Not suitable for persons under 12 years of age.
  • 16: Not suitable for persons under 16 years of age.
  • 18: For adults.
The ratings do not indicate the difficulty of the game or the skill required to play it.

Germany

Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle , is Germany's software rating organization founded in 1994.
  • USK 0 - Playable for all ages
  • USK 6 - Ages 6 and over
  • USK 12 - Ages 12 and over
  • USK 16 - Ages 16 and over
  • USK 18 - Ages 18 and over

    Hong Kong and Macau

There is no game grading system in Hong Kong and Macau, but a unified publication classification is adopted, which is divided into three categories: I, II and III. Class I publications can be purchased at all ages without any restrictions. Class II publications need to be marked with warnings and cannot be provided to people under the age of 18, which is equivalent to a restricted level. Class III publications are not allowed to be sold publicly, but there is no restriction on private or friend-to-friend communication. This classification system is equivalent to a hidden classification, The Obscene Articles Tribunal is responsible for the classification and evaluation.
The Regulation on the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles requires that Class II publications must use this statutory warning slogan, and must be marked in both Chinese and English, and the font size must account for 20% of the total area: