Explaining Video Game Ratings

Rating Symbols	Rating Definitions
	EC: Early Childhood Content may be suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate.
	E: Everyone Content may be suitable for persons ages 6 and older. May contain minimal violence and some comic mischief or crude language.
	T: Teen Content may be suitable for persons ages 13 and older. May contain violent content, mild or strong language, and/or suggestive themes.
	M: Mature 17+ Content may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. May contain mature sexual themes or more intense violence or language.
	AO: Adults Only 18+ Content suitable only for adults. May include graphic depictions of sex and/or violence. Not intended for persons under the age of 18.
	RP: Rating Pending Used in advertising games that are coming soon. This means that the game isn't finished, hasn't been officially rated yet, or both. Often game fans start discussing games long before they arrive on the market.
	K-A: Kid to Adult Some older games are rated K-A, for Kid to Adult. The ESRB notes that these titles "have content that may be 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."

Ratings	Descriptors
Virtually every video game on store shelves comes with one of five ESRB ratings. These are the broad categories which can help you decide whether you even want to consider a game for your children	As with films, the rating recommends an appropriate age level for each game. Similar to film ratings, the content descriptors describe the specific subject matter that contributed to the rating. It's up to you to decide whether the game includes military combat or car racing, but if there's blood, the content descriptors will say so

Descriptor Definitions	Descriptor Definitions
Drug Reference – Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs.	Partial Nudity – Brief and mild depictions of nudity.
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.	Sexual Violence – Depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts.
Fantasy Violence – Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life.	Some Adult Assistance May Be Needed – Early Childhood descriptor only.
Gambling – Betting-like behavior.	Strong Language – Profanity and explicit references to sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use.
Informational – Overall content of product contains data, facts, resource information, reference materials, or instructional text.	Strong Lyrics – Profanity and explicit references to sex, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music.
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.	Strong Sexual Content – Graphic depiction of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity.
Mature Humor – Vulgar and/or crude jokes and antics including "bathroom" humor.	Suggestive Themes – Mild provocative references or materials.
Mature Sexual Themes – Provocative material, possibly including partial nudity.	Tobacco Reference – Reference to and/or images of tobacco products.
Mild Language – Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use.	Use of Drugs – The consumption or use of illegal drugs.
Mild Lyrics – Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music.	Use of Alcohol – The consumption of alcoholic beverages
Mild Violence – Mild scenes depicting characters in unsafe and/or violent situations.	Use of Tobacco – The consumption of tobacco products.
Nudity – Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity.	Violence – Scenes involving aggressive conflict.