Entertainment Software Rating Board
The Entertainment Software Rating Board, or ESRB for short, is a group of people who decide what age group a video game is appropriate for. It’s like how your parents might let you watch some movies, but not others, because some movies have things in them that are too scary or grown-up for you.
The ESRB looks at things that might not be suitable for kids, like violence, drugs, and naughty language. They play the game and watch videos to make sure that everything inside is okay for kids your age. Then they give the game a rating.
Here are the ratings they give:
1. EARLY CHILDHOOD (EC): These games are designed for little kids who can’t read yet. They usually have simple activities that improve learning, like shape-sorting or shape-coloring.
2. EVERYONE (E): These games are made for everyone. They usually have cartoon violence or slightly scary moments, but nothing too serious. Think of games like Super Mario.
3. EVERYONE 10+ (E10+): These games are for kids who are at least 10 years old. They might have a little bit more violence or scarily real things like zombies, but they’re not super scary.
4. TEEN (T): These games are for kids who are at least 13 years old. They might have more grown-up themes like alcohol and dating, but not anything too serious.
5. MATURE (M): These games are for kids who are at least 17 years old. They usually have graphic violence, bloody scenes, sex, and naughty language. These games are definitely not for kids your age.
6. ADULTS ONLY (AO): These games are for people who are 18 years old or older. They usually have very graphic violence, sex, and drugs. Your parents would never let you play these games.
So, the ESRB is important because it helps parents choose games that are suitable for their kids. It also helps you know which games are okay for you to play and which games are not.
The ESRB looks at things that might not be suitable for kids, like violence, drugs, and naughty language. They play the game and watch videos to make sure that everything inside is okay for kids your age. Then they give the game a rating.
Here are the ratings they give:
1. EARLY CHILDHOOD (EC): These games are designed for little kids who can’t read yet. They usually have simple activities that improve learning, like shape-sorting or shape-coloring.
2. EVERYONE (E): These games are made for everyone. They usually have cartoon violence or slightly scary moments, but nothing too serious. Think of games like Super Mario.
3. EVERYONE 10+ (E10+): These games are for kids who are at least 10 years old. They might have a little bit more violence or scarily real things like zombies, but they’re not super scary.
4. TEEN (T): These games are for kids who are at least 13 years old. They might have more grown-up themes like alcohol and dating, but not anything too serious.
5. MATURE (M): These games are for kids who are at least 17 years old. They usually have graphic violence, bloody scenes, sex, and naughty language. These games are definitely not for kids your age.
6. ADULTS ONLY (AO): These games are for people who are 18 years old or older. They usually have very graphic violence, sex, and drugs. Your parents would never let you play these games.
So, the ESRB is important because it helps parents choose games that are suitable for their kids. It also helps you know which games are okay for you to play and which games are not.