Understanding Your Kids' Video Game Ratings

SEATTLE - What does the new Madagascar video game have in common with the new Burnout Revenge game? They're both rated E10+ which means they “may be suitable for ages 10 and older.”

Earlier this year, the Entertainment Software Rating Board announced the new category.

They Board said it realized that in many cases content appropriate for a 10 year old, such as super heroes fighting or racing games with spectacular crashes, may not be suitable for children 6 to 9 years old.

An E10+ video or computer game may have more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, and more mild language than a game rated E. It might also have minimally suggestive themes that would not be found in an E title.

The box will tell you why a title got its rating. For instance, Madagascar is E10+ because of the “crude humor” and “cartoon violence.” Burnout Revenge is E10+ because of “mild language” and “mild violence.”

Toy Test 2005

Just a reminder: my annual video game test takes place from now through August 21 at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle.

We have games for kids 7 & up, 10 & up and 13 & up. Come play the latest games and rate them for me. It’s a ton of fun!

Find out more: www.pacsci.org.

For More Information:

ESRB Game Ratings and Descriptor Guide

ESRB News Release