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A video game content rating system is a
system used for the classification of
video game
Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...
s 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
A motion picture content rating system classifies films based on their suitability for audiences due to their treatment of issues such as sex, violence, or substance abuse; their use of profanity; or other matters typically deemed unsuitable for c ...
. 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
Video game localization (American English), or video game localisation (British English; see spelling differences), is the process of preparing a video game for a market outside of where it was originally published. The game's name, art assets, ...
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 – ''No restrictions: Parental guidance is suggested for designated age range.''
*
Purple – ''No restrictions: 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 an international organization rather than a single country.
Initial controversy
Similar to other forms of media,
video game
Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...
s 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
Graphic violence refers to the depiction of especially vivid, brutal and realistic acts of violence in visual media such as film, television, and video games. It may be real, simulated live action, or animated.
Intended limitedly for mature ...
, virtual sex, violent and gory scenes, partial or full nudity, drug use, portrayal of
criminal behavior
In ordinary language, a crime is an unlawful act punishable by a State (polity), state or other authority. The term ''crime'' does not, in modern criminal law, have any simple and universally accepted definition,Farmer, Lindsay: "Crime, definit ...
or other provocative and objectionable material.
Video games have also been studied for links to
addiction
Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to engage in certain behaviors, one of which is the usage of a drug, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences. Repetitive drug use o ...
and
aggression
Aggression is overt or covert, often harmful, social interaction with the intention of inflicting damage or other harm upon another individual; although it can be channeled into creative and practical outlets for some. It may occur either reacti ...
. 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 (passed in 2005) states that the National Council of Children, Youth and Family ('Consejo Nacional de la Niñez, Adolescencia y la Familia') in coordination with the
National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts
The National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts ( es, Instituto Nacional de Cine y Artes Audiovisuales, INCAA; also referred to as the Argentine National Film Board) is an agency of the Government of Argentina. It promotes the Argentine ...
will be the
government agencies
A government or state agency, sometimes an appointed commission, is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an administratio ...
that assigns age ratings. The Argentine Game Developer Association (''Asociación de Desarrolladores de Videojuegos Argentina'') 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
The Australian Classification Board (ACB) is a
statutory
A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs the legal entities of a city, state, or country by way of consent. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. Statutes are rules made by le ...
classification body formed by the
Australian Government
The Australian Government, also known as the Commonwealth Government, is the national government of Australia, a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Like other Westminster-style systems of government, the Australian Government i ...
which classifies
film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
s,
video game
Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...
s and
publication
To publish is to make content available to the general public.[Berne Conve ...](_blank)
s for exhibition, sale or hire in
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
since its establishment in 1970. The Classification Board was originally incorporated in the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) which was dissolved in 2006. Originally a part of the
Attorney-General's Department and overseen by the
Minister for Justice A Ministry of Justice is a common type of government department that serves as a justice ministry.
Lists of current ministries of justice
Named "Ministry"
* Ministry of Justice (Abkhazia)
* Ministry of Justice (Afghanistan)
* Ministry of Just ...
, the ACB is now a branch of the
Department of Communications and the Arts
The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts was a department of the Government of Australia charged with responsibility for communications policy and programs and cultural affairs.
In December 2019, prime minister Scott Morrison ...
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 (applied in Vienna) and Germany's USK system (applied in Salzburg).
Brazil
The advisory rating (ClassInd) (''Classificação Indicativa'' in Portuguese) rates
film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
s,
game
A game is a structured form of play (activity), play, usually undertaken for enjoyment, entertainment or fun, and sometimes used as an educational tool. Many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator s ...
s and
television show
A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed betw ...
s in
Brazil
Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...
. It is controlled by the
Ministry of Justice A Ministry of Justice is a common type of government department that serves as a justice ministry.
Lists of current ministries of justice
Named "Ministry"
* Ministry of Justice (Abkhazia)
* Ministry of Justice (Afghanistan)
* Ministry of Just ...
(''Ministério da Justiça'').
Chile
Games are classified by the Council of Cinematographic Classification (''Consejo de Calificación Cinematográfica'') which is a central agency under the Ministry of Education.
The current age ratings are:
* TE (Todo Espectador) – General audience (no objectionable content).
* Mayores de 8 años – Not recommended for children younger than 8 years.
* Mayores de 14 años – Not recommended for children younger than 14 years.
* Mayores de 18 años – Not recommended for children younger than 18 years.
In addition to these ratings an educational category also exists.
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 (CADPA). Games with online components are required to show one of the three classifications on websites and registration pages: green for "8+" (appropriate for players 8 years and older), blue for "12+", and yellow for "16+".
Europe
The Pan European Game Information (PEGI) is a
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...
an 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
The Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) is an independent federation, representing the interests of the video game industry in Europe to the main stakeholders: EU institutions, international organisations, academics, or the general p ...
(ISFE) 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 age rating does not indicate the difficulty of the game or the skill required to play it.Turkey is a semi-official user of PEGI, but it is not represented in the PEGI council, alongside
Northern Cyprus
Northern Cyprus ( tr, Kuzey Kıbrıs), officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC; tr, Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti, ''KKTC''), is a ''de facto'' state that comprises the northeastern portion of the Geography of Cyprus, isl ...
but it is not recognized internationally.
Germany
Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle
Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (''Entertainment Software Self-Regulation'', abbreviated USK) is the organisation responsible for video game ratings in Germany. In Austria, it is mandatory in the state of Salzburg, while PEGI is mandator ...
(USK) (''Entertainment Software Self-control''), is
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
's
software
Software is a set of computer programs and associated documentation and data. This is in contrast to hardware, from which the system is built and which actually performs the work.
At the lowest programming level, executable code consists ...
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
Indonesia
The Indonesian Game Rating System (IGRS) is an official video game content rating system founded and set by the Indonesian
Ministry of Communication and Informatics in 2016. IGRS rates games that are developed and published in Indonesia. There are 5 classifications of ratings based on the game content, which includes the use of alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, violence, blood, language, sexual content, etc.
These are the following classifications:
* SU ("''Semua Umur''", ''All Ages'' in English) Playable for all ages.
* 3+ Age 3 and over. No restricted content is shown including adult content, use of drugs, gambling simulation, and online interactions.
* 7+ Age 7 and over. No restricted content is shown including adult content, use of drugs, gambling simulation, and online interactions.
* 13+ Age 13 and over. Restricted contents are partially shown, including light use of drugs and alcohol by figures/background characters, cartoon violence, mild language, gambling simulation, horror theme, and online interactions.
* 18+ Age 18 and over. Restricted contents are mostly shown, if not all, including use of drugs and alcohol by main characters, realistic violence (blood, gore, mutilation, etc.), crude humor, gambling simulation, horror theme, and online interactions.
As of November 2019, various imported
PlayStation
is a video gaming brand that consists of five home video game consoles, two handhelds, a media center, and a smartphone, as well as an online service and multiple magazines. The brand is produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment, a divisi ...
titles released since then have been rated by the IGRS after
SIE Asia opened their Indonesian office. Those titles are also marked as "Official Indonesia Products" ( id, Produk Resmi Indonesia, links=yes).
Iran
The Entertainment Software Rating Association ( fa, اسرا) (ESRA) is a governmental video game content rating system that is used in
Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...
. Games that have been exempt from the rating are ''de facto'' banned from sale in Iran.
* +3Ages 3 and over
* +7Ages 7 and over
* +12Ages 12 and over
* +15Ages 15 and over
* +18Ages 18 and over
In practise, the rating applies largely to PC and mobile games, as none of the console games are officially released for the Iranian market.
Japan
In Japan, the content rating is not required by law, but most commercial video game publishers take the industry self-regulations. Console manufacturers force for video game publishers that games must be rated by CERO. Distributors of
PC games
A personal computer game, also known as a PC game or computer game, is a type of video game played on a personal computer (PC) rather than a video game console or arcade machine. Its defining characteristics include: more diverse and user-dete ...
(mostly
dating sim
Dating sims, or , are video game subgenre of simulation games with romantic elements.
Dating sims are often dialog-heavy and focus on time management. The player must befriend and carefully build and maintain a relationship with one or more ...
s,
visual novel
A , often abbreviated as VN, is a form of digital semi-interactive fiction. Visual novels are often associated with and used in the medium of video games, but are not always labeled as such themselves. They combine a textual narrative with sta ...
s, and
eroge
An ''eroge'' ( or , ''erogē''; ; a portmanteau of ''erotic game'' , ''erochikku gēmu'') is a Japanese genre of erotic video game. In 1982, Japan's Koei, founded by husband-and-wife team Yoichi and Keiko Erikawa (and later known for strategy ...
) require games having the approval of EOCS or Japan contents Review Center. These ratings are referred to by local governments, and the Ordinance Regarding the Healthy Development of Youths (
青少年健全育成条例) prohibits retailers from supplying 18+ rating games to persons under 18.
Dōjin soft
is software created by Japanese hobbyists or hobbyist groups (referred to as "circles"), more for fun than for profit. The term includes digital , which are essentially the Japanese equivalent of independent video games or fangames (the term " ...
s don't have such restrictions, but distribution of obscene materials can be punished under the
Article 175 of the Penal Code of Japan.
Computer Entertainment Rating Organization
The (CERO) is an
organization
An organization or organisation (Commonwealth English; see spelling differences), is an entity—such as a company, an institution, or an association—comprising one or more people and having a particular purpose.
The word is derived from ...
that rates video games in
Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
, with different levels of rating that inform the customer of the nature of the product and what age group it suits. It was established in June 2002 as a branch of the
Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association
Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) is a Japanese organization that was established in 1996 to "promote the computer entertainment industry ..with the aim of contributing to the strengthening of Japanese industry as well as to th ...
, and became an officially recognized
non-profit organization
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
in December 2003. It currently consists of five age categories and nine content descriptors.
* AAll ages. Formerly "All."
* BAges 12 and over. Formerly "12."
* CAges 15 and over. Formerly "15."
* DAges 17 and over.
* ZAges 18 and over only. Formerly "18." This is the only rating that is legally enforced.
* CEROAssigned to free demos and trial versions of games
* 審査予定Assigned to games which are currently awaiting classification
Ethics Organization of Computer Software
The (EOCS, or Sofurin) is an incorporated association that rates PC games in
Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
. It was established on November 20, 1992, and was incorporated in 2009. The association also works to crack down on copyright infringement of PC games for the companies it represents, and sponsors the to help PC game sales.
The current ratings are:
* General Software - All ages.
* General Software (recommended to ages 12 and over)
* General Software (recommended to ages 15 and over)
* Software that is banned from selling to persons under 18
Japan contents Review Center
The is a cooperative that reviews adult videos and adult PC games in
Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
. The organization was founded on December 1, 2010 as after the dissolution of the
Content Soft Association (CSA).
Mexico
On November 27, 2020, the
Secretariat of the Interior
The Mexican Secretariat for Home Affairs ( es, Secretaría de Gobernación, SEGOB, lit=Secretariat for Governance) is the public department concerned with the country's domestic affairs, the presenting of the president's bills to Congress, their ...
(SEGOB) published a new set of guidelines on the
Official Journal of the Federation
The (DOF; translated variously as the ''Official Journal of the Federation'' or else as ''Official Gazette of the Federation''), published daily by the government of Mexico, is the main official government publication in Mexico. It was founde ...
called Lineamentos Generales del Sistema Mexicano de Equivalencias de Clasificación de Contenidos de Videojuegos (General Guidelines of the Mexican System of Classification Equivalencies for Video Game Content). This states that all games distributed in Mexico will have their own set of ratings effective May 27, 2021, replacing the ESRB ratings system that was being used, while still being in accordance with them.
The ratings are as follows:
* A (Todo Público): For all ages.
* B (+12 Años): Content for teens 12 and over.
* B15 (+15 Años): Content for ages 15 and over.
* C (Adultos +18 Años): Content not suitable for those under 18.
* D (Exclusivo Adultos): Extreme and adult content.
* P (Etiquetado Pendiente): Content pending for its classification.
New Zealand
The Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) is the government agency in
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
that is responsible for
classification Classification is a process related to categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated and understood.
Classification is the grouping of related facts into classes.
It may also refer to:
Business, organizat ...
of all
film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
s,
videos
Video is an electronic medium for the recording, copying, playback, broadcasting, and display of moving visual media. Video was first developed for mechanical television systems, which were quickly replaced by cathode-ray tube (CRT) syste ...
,
publications
To publish is to make content available to the general public.[Berne Conve ...](_blank)
, and some
video game
Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...
s in New Zealand. It was created by the
Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993
The Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 is an Act of Parliament in New Zealand.
It repealed the Indecent Publications Act 1963, the Films Act 1983 and the Video Recordings Act 1987.
In 2015, the book ''Into the River'' was ...
(FVPC Act), replacing various film classification acts, and is an independent
Crown entity
A Crown entity (from the Commonwealth term ''Crown'') is an organisation that forms part of New Zealand's state sector established under the Crown Entities Act 2004, a unique umbrella governance and accountability statute. The Crown Entities Act i ...
in terms of the
Crown Entities Act 2004
In New Zealand, the Crown Entities Act 2004 is a statute which provides the framework for the establishment, governance, and operation of Crown entities; and to clarify accountability relationships between Crown entities, their board members, ...
. The head of the OFLC is called the Chief Censor, maintaining a title that has described the government officer in charge of
censorship in New Zealand
Censorship in New Zealand has been present since around 1850 and is currently managed by the Classification Office under the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993.
Over the years, New Zealand has gone through many iterations o ...
since 1916.
The current ratings are:
* G: This can be shown and sold to anyone.
* PG: Films and games with a PG label can be sold, hired, or shown to anyone. The PG label means guidance from a parent or guardian is recommended for younger viewers.
* M: Films and games with an M label can be sold, hired, or shown to anyone. Films with an M label are more suitable for mature audiences 16 years and over.
* R13: Restricted to persons 13 years and over.
* R15: Restricted to persons 15 years and over.
* R16: Restricted to persons 16 years and over.
* R18: Restricted to persons 18 years and over.
* R: Restricted to a particular class of people.
North America
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a
self-regulatory organization
A self-regulatory organization (SRO) is an organization that exercises some degree of regulatory authority over an industry or profession. The regulatory authority could exist in place of government regulation, or applied in addition to governmen ...
that assigns age and content ratings, enforces industry-adopted
advertising
Advertising is the practice and techniques employed to bring attention to a product or service. Advertising aims to put a product or service in the spotlight in hopes of drawing it attention from consumers. It is typically used to promote a ...
guidelines, and ensures responsible online privacy principles for
computer and video games
''Computer and Video Games'' (also known as ''CVG'', ''Computer & Video Games'', ''C&VG'', ''Computer + Video Games'', or ''C+VG'') was a UK-based video game magazine, published in its original form between 1981 and 2004. Its offshoot website ...
and other entertainment software in
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
and the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
. PEGI ratings are used on some French-language games sold in Canada. Despite being self-regulatory, in Canada, games rated by the ESRB are required by law to be rated and/or restricted, though this only varies at a province and territory level. ESRB ratings can be found on games for Nintendo systems in the countries of Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. This system was used in Mexico as well until it was replaced by a local rating system on May 27, 2021.
A similar system also exists for
arcade video games
Arcade most often refers to:
* Arcade game, a coin-operated game machine
** Arcade cabinet, housing which holds an arcade game's hardware
** Arcade system board, a standardized printed circuit board
* Amusement arcade, a place with arcade games ...
, which is enforced by the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) and the Amusement and Music Operators Association (AMOA). It is called the Parental Advisory System, and uses three colors for ratings - green (Suitable for All Ages), yellow (Mild Content), and red (Strong Content). Stickers displaying the ratings are placed on the game marquees, and the rating can also be displayed during the attract mode if the game's developer or publisher chooses to do so.
Russia
The Age classification of information products is a new
statutory
A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs the legal entities of a city, state, or country by way of consent. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. Statutes are rules made by le ...
classification set of rules formed by the
Russian Government
The Government of Russia exercises executive power in the Russian Federation. The members of the government are the prime minister, the deputy prime ministers, and the federal ministers. It has its legal basis in the Constitution of the Russia ...
after enacting in September 2012 a
Federal Law
Federal law is the body of law created by the federal government of a country. A federal government is formed when a group of political units, such as states or provinces join in a federation, delegating their individual sovereignty and many po ...
of
Russian Federation
Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a List of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia, Northern Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the ...
no. 436-FZ of 2010-12-23 “On Protecting of Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development” (russian: Федеральный закон Российской Федерации от 29 декабря 2010 г. N 436-ФЗ «О защите детей от информации, причиняющей вред их здоровью и развитию»), which classifies
film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
s,
video game
Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...
s and
publication
To publish is to make content available to the general public.[Berne Conve ...](_blank)
s for exhibition, sale or hire in
Russia
Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a List of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia, Northern Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the ...
since 1 September 2012. The
Ministry of Culture Ministry of Culture may refer to:
*Ministry of Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Youth and Sports (Albania)
*Ministry of Culture (Algeria)
*Ministry of Culture (Argentina)
* Minister for the Arts (Australia)
*Ministry of Culture (Azerbaijan)
* Ministry of ...
provides administrative support to the classification.
Saudi Arabia
The General Commission for Audiovisual Media ( ar, الهيئة العامة للإعلام المرئي والمسموع, Alhy'eh Al'amah lel-E'elam Almar'ey wal-Masmoo') (GCAM) is responsible for
the age-ratings of
film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
s,
television program
Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertising, e ...
s and
interactive games
Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This feedback ...
.
Singapore
The Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) is a statutory board of the
Singapore Government
The Government of Singapore is defined by the Constitution of Singapore to mean the executive branch of the state, which is made up of the president and the Cabinet. Although the president acts in their personal discretion in the exercise o ...
which regulates
film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
s,
television program
Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertising, e ...
s and
video game
Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...
s in
Singapore
Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, borde ...
.
Slovakia
Jetnotný systém označovania (English: Unified System of Age Rating/Labeling) (JSO) is a statutory board of Ministry of Culture of Slovakia under act 589/2007, which regulates age restriction of
film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
s,
television program
Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertising, e ...
s and
video game
Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...
s in
Slovakia
Slovakia (; sk, Slovensko ), officially the Slovak Republic ( sk, Slovenská republika, links=no ), is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the s ...
.
The current age ratings are:
* "Teddy bear's head" – Content targeted towards children younger than 12 years.
* U – General audience
* 7 – Not recommended for children younger than 7 years.
* 12 – Not recommended for children younger than 12 years.
* 15 – Not recommended for children younger than 15 years.
* 18 – Prohibited for minors under 18 years of age.
In addition, educational game ratings are:
* -7 – Targetted towards children younger than 7 years.
* 7+ – Appropriate for persons 7 years and over.
* 12+ – Appropriate for persons 12 years and over.
* 15+ – Appropriate for persons 15 years and over.
The labeling is mandatory for all physical releases (Games redeemable from gift cards including), but there is no legislative basis for labeling electronic releases (instead, PEGI rating is shown).
South Africa
The South African Film and Publication Board (FPB) is a
statutory
A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs the legal entities of a city, state, or country by way of consent. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. Statutes are rules made by le ...
classification body formed by the
South African Government
The Republic of South Africa is a parliamentary republic with three-tier system of government and an independent judiciary, operating in a parliamentary system. Legislative authority is held by the Parliament of South Africa.
Executive authority ...
under the
Films and Publications Act of 1996 which classifies films, music, television programmes, and video games for exhibition, sale or hire in
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
. Distributors and exhibitors are legally compelled to comply with the age ratings.
South Korea
The Game Rating and Administration Committee (게임물관리위원회 ''Geimmul Gwanri Wiwonhoe'') (GRAC) is the
South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...
n
video game content rating board
A video game content rating system is a Content rating, 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 par ...
. A governmental organization, the GRAC rates
video and computer games
Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This feedbac ...
to inform customers of the nature of game contents.
Taiwan
Game Software Rating Regulations (遊戲軟體分級辦法), also translated as Game Software Rating Management Regulations, is the video game content rating system used in
Taiwan
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia, at the junction of the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the nort ...
.
United Arab Emirates
The National Media Council ( ar, المجلس الوطني للإعلام, al-Majlis al-Watani li'al-Ealam) (NMC) is a body of the
federal U.A.E. government which regulates all aspects of media production, publication, and media trade in the
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE; ar, اَلْإِمَارَات الْعَرَبِيَة الْمُتَحِدَة ), or simply the Emirates ( ar, الِْإمَارَات ), is a country in Western Asia (The Middle East). It is located at th ...
. The body was established under Federal Law (1) of 2006. By 2013, the NMC has sustained full authority over the media market in the country.
In 2018, the NMC introduced local age rating systems for various media, including video games available in retail.
In June 2021, the Ministry of Culture & Youth launched the Media Regulatory Office ( ar, مكتب تنظيم الإعلام, Maktabat Tanzheem al-Ealam) (MRO) to execute a number of functions and tasks previously under the National Media Council,
following a restructure of the federal U.A.E. government that was approved in July 2020.
In June 2022, the 2018 NMC rating labels for video games began phasing out in favour of new labels reflecting the
corporate image
A corporate identity or corporate image is the manner in which a corporation, firm or business enterprise presents itself to the public (such as customers and investors as well as employees). The corporate identity is typically visualized by ...
of the MRO. The ratings themselves are unchanged.
United Kingdom
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), originally British Board of Film Censors, is a
non-governmental organisation
A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see American and British English spelling differences#-ise, -ize (-isation, -ization), spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from g ...
, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification of
film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
s within the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
. It has a statutory requirement to classify
video
Video is an electronic medium for the recording, copying, playback, broadcasting, and display of moving visual media. Video was first developed for mechanical television systems, which were quickly replaced by cathode-ray tube (CRT) syste ...
s and
DVD
The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kin ...
s. It no longer has responsibility for rating video games in the UK. This role has been passed to the
Video Standards Council
The Video Standards Council (VSC), also known as the ''VSC Rating Board'', is an administrator of the Pan European Game Information, PEGI system of Video game rating, age rating for video games. It was established in 1989, originally with the purpo ...
(formerly known as the VSC Rating Board).
In July 2012, the VSC Rating Board became the sole UK statutory video games regulator for the UK. The VSC Rating Board has been a PEGI Administrator since 2003 and subsequently uses the PEGI criteria to classify video games. The
UK Interactive Entertainment Association
The Association for UK Interactive Entertainment (Ukie) is a non-profit trade association for the video game industry in the United Kingdom (UK). Ukie was originally founded as the European Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), and the ...
, a UK industry trade group, works with the VSC to help properly label such games and provide informational material to parents. Games featuring strong pornographic content or ancillary mini-games to be included with a DVD feature will still be rated by the BBFC.
International
IARC
Some app stores that support IARC use this rating in countries and regions where there is no rating system. The classification standard adopted by IARC is the same as that of PEGI. This rating is not recognized in some countries.
Usage
The image below presents outdated usage of various video game content rating systems around the world. Countries filled with gradients are using several rating systems.
See also
*
International Age Rating Coalition
The International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) is an initiative aimed at streamlining acquisition of content ratings for video games, from authorities of different countries. Introduced in 2013, the IARC system simplifies the process of obtaining ...
*
Mobile software content rating system
A mobile software content rating system is a rating system which is tailored to users of mobile software.
Comparison table
A comparison of current mobile software rating systems, showing age on the horizontal axis. Note however that the specific ...
*
Motion picture content rating system
A motion picture content rating system classifies films based on their suitability for audiences due to their treatment of issues such as sex, violence, or substance abuse; their use of profanity; or other matters typically deemed unsuitable for c ...
*
Research on the effects of violence in mass media
The studies of violence in mass media analyzes the degree of correlation between themes of violence in media sources (particularly violence in video games, television and films) with real-world aggression and violence over time.
Many social scient ...
*
Television content rating system
Television content rating systems are systems for Content rating, evaluating the content and reporting the suitability of television programs for Minor (law), minors. Many countries have their own television evaluation, rating system and countrie ...
*
Video game controversy
Video game controversies refers to a wide range of debates on the social effects of video games on players and broader society, as well as debates within the video game industry. Since the early 2000s, advocates of video games have emphasized ...
Notes
References
External links
Video games ratings face overhaul* http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/tiga-responds-to-byron-review
* http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/ELSPA-concerned-by-Byron-proposals
* http://www.esrb.org/ratings/ratings_guide.jsp
{{Video game controversy
*
*