ESRB Game Rating Symbols - Page 2

Online games that include user-generated content (e.g., chat, maps, skins) carry the notice "Game Experience May Change During Online Play" to warn consumers that content created by players of the game has not been rated by the ESRB.

ESRB Content Descriptors

• Alcohol Reference – Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages
• Animated Blood – Discolored and/or unrealistic depictions of blood
• Blood – Depictions of blood
• Blood and Gore – Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts
• Cartoon Violence – Violent actions involving cartoon–like situations and characters. May 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 – 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
• Informational – Overall content of product contains data, facts, resource information, reference materials or instructional text
• 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
• Mature Humor – Depictions or dialogue involving "adult" humor, including sexual references
• Mild Violence – Mild scenes depicting characters in unsafe and/or violent situations
• Nudity – Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity
• Partial Nudity – Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity
• Real Gambling – Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency
• Sexual Themes – Mild to moderate sexual references and/or depictions.  May include partial nudity
• Sexual Violence – Depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts
• Simulated Gambling – Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency
• Some Adult Assistance May Be Needed – Intended for very young ages
• 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
• Strong Sexual Content – Graphic references to and/or depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity
• Suggestive Themes – Mild provocative references or materials
• Tobacco Reference – Reference to and/or images of tobacco products
• Use of Drugs – The consumption or use of illegal drugs
• Use of Alcohol – The consumption of alcoholic beverages
• Use of Tobacco – The consumption of tobacco products
• Violence – Scenes involving aggressive conflict.

Source: Entertainment Software Rating Board

Article Author: Ken Edwards

Ken Edwards is the Gaming Editor at Blogcritics, and calls Breaking Windows home. Ken works part time for Student Publications at BGSU as the Webmaster and System Administrator. He is also a freelance web developer.

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