The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a self-regulatory organization that applies and enforces ratings, advertising guidelines, and online privacy principles for computer and video games and other entertainment software in North America

It was established in 1994 by the Interactive Digital Software Association (now the Entertainment Software Association). By early 2003, it had rated over 8,000 titles submitted by 350 publishers.

The decision to found the ESRB was influenced by violent content found in games such as Mortal Kombat and Night Trap and other controversial video games portraying violent or sexual situations at the time.

Overview

The ESRB applies ratings to games based on their content, similar to the motion picture rating systems used in many countries. Their aim is to aid consumers in determining a game's content and suitability. A game's rating is displayed on its box, the media, in advertisements and on game web sites.

The rating system is voluntary,

Ratings

The symbols the ESRB uses are stylized depictions of alphabetical letters meant to convey at a glance a game's suitability.

Original

The following rating has been updated and is no longer used, but it may appear on games published previously.

Content descriptors

The content descriptors are not exhaustive descriptions of all content within a game: they are applied within the context of the rating a game is assigned. For example, a Teen game with one use of strong language and numerous uses of mild language would receive a "Mild Language" descriptor. They are also not always printed as shown below. They may have additional words added to further clarify the highlighted content such as "Mild Blood" and "Mild Suggestive Themes".

Current

• Alcohol Reference — Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages.ESRB Ratings Page from the ESRB website
• Animated Blood — Discolored and/or unrealistic depictions of blood.
• Blood — Depictions of blood.
• Cartoon Violence — Violent actions involving cartoon-like or animated situations and characters. May also include violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted.
• Comic Mischief — Depictions or dialogue involving slapstick or suggestive humor.
• Crude Humor — Depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including "bathroom humor".
• Drug Reference — Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs.
• Edutainment — Combines Education with Entertainment, and refers to nothing crude, vulgar, profane, violent, or obscene. Content of product provides user with specific skills development or reinforcement learning within an entertainment setting. Skill development is an integral part of product.
• Fantasy Violence — Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life.
• 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.
• Language — Mild to moderate use of profanity.
• Lyrics — Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music.
• Real Gambling — Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency. (Most games with this content are online playable.)
• Simulated Gambling — Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency.
• Strong Language — Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity.
• Strong Lyrics — Explicit and/or frequent references to profanity, sex, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music.
• Suggestive Themes — Mild provocative references or materials.
• Tobacco Reference — Reference to and/or images of tobacco products.
• Use of Alcohol — The consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• Violence — Scenes involving aggression, such as fighting and/or shooting
• Violent References — References to violent acts.