Video game rating system

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A video game rating system is a system used to standardize the review and classification of video game age groups by different countries. It was first proposed in United States in 1994.

America

North America

ESRB

Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is the North American game rating organization established in 1994 by Entertainment Software Association (ESA). This rating system applies to USA, Canada and Mexico.

This organization also rates certain non-game applications.

Ratings

Icon	Rating	Description	Notes
	Early Childhood (eC)	This rating denoted content which is aimed towards a preschool users. Games with the rating do not contain content that parents would find objectionable to this audience.	Discontinued in 2018.
	Everyone (E)	Content is generally suitable for all ages. May contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.
	Everyone 10+ (E10+)	Content is generally suitable for ages 10 and up. May contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes	Introduced in April 2nd, 2005.
	Teen (T)	Content is generally suitable for ages 13 and up. May contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language.	The first Nintendo game to get ESRB T rating is Super Smash Bros. Melee.
	Mature 17+ (M)	Content is generally suitable for ages 17 and up. May contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.
	Adults Only 18+ (AO)	Content suitable only for adults ages 18 and up. May include prolonged scenes of intense violence, graphic sexual content and/or gambling with real currency.	The majority of AO-rated titles are adult video games that received the rating for sexual content. There have been isolated cases of games receiving the rating for other reasons such as violent content and allowing players to gamble using real money.
	Rating Pending (RP)	Not yet assigned a final ESRB rating. Appears only in advertising, marketing and promotional materials related to a physical (e.g., boxed) video game that is expected to carry an ESRB rating, and should be replaced by a game's rating once it has been assigned.
	Rating Pending - Likely Mature 17+	Not yet assigned a final ESRB rating but anticipated to be rated Mature 17+. Appears only in advertising, marketing, and promotional materials related to a physical (e.g., boxed) video game that is expected to carry an ESRB rating, and should be replaced by a game's rating once it has been assigned.

Descriptors

ESRB also provides the content descriptors of the game content, printed on the back of the game box or shown on the Internet.

• Substances
  • Alcohol Reference: Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages.
  • Drug Reference: Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs.
  • Tobacco Reference: Reference to and/or images of tobacco products.
  • Use of Alcohol: The consumption of alcoholic beverages.
  • Use of Drugs: The consumption or use of illegal drugs.
  • Use of Tobacco: The consumption of tobacco products.
• Blood/Gore
  • 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.
• Humor
  • Comic Mischief: Depictions or dialogue involving slapstick or suggestive humor.
  • Crude Humor: Depictions or dialogue involving "adult" humor, including sexual references.
  • Mature Humor: Depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including "bathroom" humor.
• Violence
  • Fantasy Violence: Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life.
  • Violence: Scenes involving aggressive conflict. May contain bloodless dismemberment.
  • 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.
  • Violent References: References to violent acts.
• Gambling
  • Gambling Themes: Prominently featured images or activities that are typically associated with real-world gambling even if they are not directly simulating a gambling experience.
  • Simulated Gambling: Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency.Typically assigned to simulations of casino-based gambling.
  • Real Gambling: Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency.
• Language
  • Language: Mild to moderate use of profanity.
  • Strong Language: Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity.
  • Lyrics: Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol or drug use in music
  • Strong Lyrics: Explicit and/or frequent references to profanity, sex, violence, alcohol or drug use in music
• Nudity
  • Nudity: Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity.
  • Partial Nudity: Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity.
• Sexuality
  • Sexual Content: Non-explicit depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including partial nudity.
  • Sexual Violence: Depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts.
  • Suggestive Themes: Mild provocative references or materials.
  • Sexual Themes: References to sex or sexuality
  • Strong Sexual Content: Explicit and/or frequent depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity

Interactive Elements

• In-Game Purchases: Contains in-game offers to purchase digital goods or premiums with real world currency, including but not limited to bonus levels, skins, music, virtual coins and other forms of in-game currency, subscriptions, season passes and upgrades (e.g., to disable ads).
• In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items): Contains in-game offers to purchase digital goods or premiums with real world currency (or with virtual coins or other forms of in-game currency that can be purchased with real world currency) for which the player doesn’t know prior to purchase the specific digital goods or premiums they will be receiving (e.g., loot boxes, item packs, mystery awards).
• Users Interact: Indicates possible exposure to unfiltered/uncensored user-generated content, including user-to-user communications and media sharing via social media and networks
• Shares Location: Includes the ability to display the user’s location to other users of the app
• Unrestricted Internet: Provides unrestricted access to the internet (e.g., browser, search engine)

Mexico

In addition to ESRB which is used generally among North American regions, the organization RTC (Spanish: Dirección General de Radio, Televisión y Cinematografía) of Interior Ministry of Mexico, also uses their own age rating system since May 27th 2021.

• A: All ages
• B: 12+
• B15: 15+
• C: 18+
• D: Adults only
• P: Rating pending

South America

Brazil

ClassInd (Portuguese: Classificação Indicativa) rates films, games and television shows in Brazil.

Prior to 2001, this organization uses ELSPA/ESRB to rate the games in Brazil.

Icon		Rating	Description	Notes
Now (Since 2001)	Old
		AL	Suitable for all ages.
		A10	Suitable for 10 ages and over. Parental accompanying is required for those under 10 years old.
		A12	Suitable for 12 ages and over. Parental accompanying is required for those under 12 years old.
		A14	Suitable for 14 ages and over. Parental accompanying is required for those under 14 years old.
		A16	Suitable for 16 ages and over. Parental accompanying is required for those under 16 years old.
		A18	Suitable for 16 ages and over only. Parental accompanying is required for those under 16-18 years old.

Chile

The Council of Cinematographic Classification (Spanish: Consejo de Calificación Cinematográfica / CCC) reviews in Chile shelves of electronic games. The ratings include TE (all ages), 8+, 14+, 18+ and ER (especially recommended for children and adolescents).

Asia

Japan

CERO

The main game rating agency in Japan is Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO, Japanese: コンピュータエンターテインメントレーティング機構), a non-profit organization founded in July 2002. Any console game released for sale in Japan needs to be reviewed by CERO.

In accordance with the provisions of Article 7 and Schedule 3 of the CERO Ethics, ratings for games including sex organs or extreme violence by CERO will be refused excludes censored nudities and the game will be submitted to the Ethics Organization of Computer Software or the Japan contents Review Center for review as mentioned below.

The current classification marks are the revised method after March 2006, which changed from "all ages", "12 years old and above", "15 years old and above" and "18 years old and above" to English letters "A, B", "C", "Z", and added "D", which for 17 years old and above.

Ratings

Icon & color		Rating	Description
Now	Old
Black		CERO A: for all ages (全年齡对象)	Expressions and content subjected to age-specific limitation are not included in the game, thereby being suitable for all ages.
Green		CERO B: for 12-year-olds and above (12歲以上对象)	Expression and content suitable only to 12-year-olds and above are included in the game.
Blue		CERO C: for 15-year-olds and above (15才以上対象)	Expression and content suitable only to 15-year-olds and above are included in the game.
Orange	N/A	CERO D: for 17-year-olds and above (17才以上対象)	Expression and content suitable only to 17-year-olds and above are included in the game.
Red		CERO Z: for 18-year-olds and above only (18才以上のみ対象)	Expression and content suitable only to 18-year-olds and above are included in the game. (This assumes that the game should not be sold or distributed to those younger than 18 years old.)

Currently, all 47 prefectures in Japan have implemented the Juvenile Protection and Upbringing Ordinance (《青少年保護育成条例》) and carry out age checks on the Z-rated trafficker.

In addition to the five levels above, there are three more special CERO levels.

Icon	Rating	Notes
	Educational/Database (教育・データベース)	For non-gaming educational software and reference books for game consoles that do not specifically target age groups.
	Rating Scheduled (審査予定)	Added in 2003. The "Rating Scheduled" is used for pre-release publicity, while "CERO Regulations-Compatible" is used for demo versions.
	CERO Regulations-Compatible (CERO規定適合)

Descriptors

The content descriptors by CERO are shown on the back of game box or on the Internet.

Icon
Content	Love/Romance	Sexual content	Violence	Horror	Drinking/Smoking	Gambling	Crime	Controlled substances (drugs)	Language and others
Ratings	B/C/D	B/C/D/Z	B/C/D/Z	B/C	C/D	C/D	B/C/D/Z	B/C/D	B/C/D

EOCS

Besides CERO, there's another game rating organization focused on adult games called Ethics Organization of Computer Software (EOCS, Japanese: コンピュータソフトウェア倫理機構/ソフ倫). However, the organization's review has no legal effect

The rating system by EOCS shares same old rating criteria with CERO, and R15 rating was removed on September 30th, 2011.

Icon
Age limit	12+	15+	18+

JCRC（CSA）

2003年，由AV制作公司牵头成立的媒体伦理协会（Japanese: メディア倫理協会）因为成人游戏发行商HOBIBOX的加入，开始接受成人游戏的审查。有一些成人游戏公司退出计算机软件伦理机构（EOCS）、加入媒伦。2005年8月1日在受到日本经济产业省关东经济产业局的认可后，原媒伦改组为软件内容协会（Japanese: コンテンツ・ソフト協同組合；Template:Lang-en）。

2010年12月1日，映像伦理机构（Japanese: 映像倫理機構，简称：映像伦/映伦，ETHICS）成立，CSA的审查转移到该中心进行。2015年6月30日，软件内容协会解散。

2016年1月，映伦在与全日本软件内容伦理审查会业务合并后，改名为日本内容审查中心（Japanese: 日本コンテンツ審査センター；Template:Lang-en）。

退出计算机软件伦理机构加入JCRC（CSA）的游戏制作公司有SkyFish、LiLiTH、ARES、アージュ（âge）、NITRO PLUS等。

China

Chinese Mainland

In Chinese Mainland, Online Game Age-Appropriateness Warning (Chinese: 网络游戏适龄提示^{Wǎngluò yóuxì shìlíng tíshì}) made by China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association (CADPA, Chinese: 中国音像与数字出版协会) is used for game reviewing and age classification. This rating system has been made public on Decmber 16th 2020 and came to effect on July 1st. OGAAW uses 3 ratings to classify different ages for people with different suitable ages. 适龄提示作为对于未成年人及其监护人选择适龄游戏的建议，不具有强制性。

Before then, People's Daily Online has drafted 《游戏适龄提示草案》 on 2019, which includes ratings: 6+, 12+, 16+ and 18+, which were intended to be used.其标志于2019年9月26日发布。但正式版中取消了18+，并将最低一级调整为8+。

Former OGAAW icon
6+ 12+ 16+ 18+

To strict, this classification system has differences from other ratings outside Chinese Mainland, as the standards excludes the restricted rating for games with sexuality, violence and crime content similiar as "R18+".但由于其作用和形式与分级相同，也有一些媒体将其视为事实上的分级制度。

相关单位还表示，“适龄提示”不同于西方的分级制度，是对现有审查制度的完善，并不会放大游戏内容审核尺度。国家新闻出版署负责人在有关防沉迷问题答记者问时也强调决不允许色情、血腥、暴力、赌博等有害内容存在于面向成年人的游戏中。

适龄提示并没有仅适用于成年人的游戏这一标准，但游戏企业会另外采取技术限制未成年人登录使用被认为是仅限成年人的游戏，并在官网或登录页面显著位置给出限制说明。

适龄提示属于游戏版号审批的必要标准。适龄提示标识必须安放在游戏产品界面的显著位置，包括但不限于游戏的官方网站，游戏注册、登录界面或开始界面，宣传视频、海报、广告等，并要求适龄提示应与游戏界面的背景颜色作出明显区分；宣传视频内，适龄提示标识出现时长不应少于3秒；静态界面中，点击适龄提示标识应能够展开或跳转至包含适龄提示用语的页面，且提示标识的最小边长不小于屏幕最小边长的1/10，以突出标识在游戏产品中的能见度和可视性。

Icon	Meaning	Content Presentation	Characteristics & Types
	Suitable for users aged 8 or above	The design of background, plot and characters is simple and friendly, and the text and grammar are easy to understand. There can be positive and beautiful imagination and fiction, with just and happy endings. No adaptations based on historical or current events. The graphics and art design are simple and easy cartoon, hand drawn style, sound lively or soothing melodious. Competition or confrontation content is presented in cartoon or fantasy form, with minimal confrontation Settings required by the story, and no audio-visual content showing the specific action and outcome of the confrontation. There is no social system for strangers to communicate freely, but there is a simple friend system.	The gameplay is simple and the single game time is short, such as simple leisure puzzle, puzzle solving, simulation development/management, music and dance and tower defense games.
	Suitable for users aged 12 or above	There may be a story line of struggle for survival. Adaptations may exist that are partly based on historical and real events, but not confused with real life. The picture and art design should be rich, beautiful and colorful. Can be anime or 3D style, should not have realistic confrontation screen. Different styles of sound effects can be added according to the plot of the game, but the overall more cheerful lively or soothing melodious. Competitive and adversarial gameplay is based on mental judgment or physical manipulation of a certain difficulty. There can be adversarial competitive games, but the adversarial content appears in a non-realistic form.	The gameplay is relatively complex and requires a certain amount of time and effort. Such as parkour racing class, role playing class, sandbox class, music and dance class, sports class, strategy class and action adventure game.
	Suitable for users aged 16 or above	Can contain a grand story background and rich character relationships Diversified graphics and art design, can be 3D realistic style, with rich sound to enhance the atmosphere of the game Can be based on high difficulty mental judgment or physical manipulation, encourage the player to improve and challenge themselves Confrontation is the main gameplay, there can be large confrontation competitive matches (both sides are realistic human figures or humanoid creatures and the confrontation shows close to real effects), competition content can be more realistic form	The gameplay is complex, the investment is more energy, the game process takes a long time. For example, the content operation is more complex role-playing class, action adventure class, shooting class (tactical sports class), MOBA, strategy class, card class and card class and other games

Taiwan

Game Software Rating Regulations (GSRR, Chinese: 遊戲軟體分級管理辦法) is the game rating system released in 2011 by Taiwan, China, and came into effect the following year. It was formerly Computer Software Rating Regulations (CSRR, Chinese: 電腦軟體分級辦法), which was the game rating system released in 2006 and came into effect the following year.

Icon	Rating	Description	Notes
	General (G/普遍級/普)	Suitable for all ages.	Nintendo 3DS games that support glasses-free 3D will not fall into this category at the minimum.
	Protected (P/保護級/護)	Suitable for 6 ages above.
	Parental Guidance 12 (PG12/輔12級)	Suitable for 12 ages above.	Formerly Parental Guidance (輔導級) before 2012
	Parental Guidance 15 (PG15/輔15級)	Suitable for 15 ages above.	Splitted from former PG in 2012.
	Restricted (R/限制級/限)	Suitable for 18 ages above.

Hong Kong & Macau

There are no written game rating rules in Hong Kong and Macau, but if a has been checked with unsuitable content, it would receive an warning for person who buys this game.

香港當地的遊戲評級機構為「Obscene Articles Tribunal」 (OAT, Chinese: 淫褻物品審裁處/淫審處), 在香港具有法律效力，任何在香港本土上市的電子遊戲都需要經過淫審處的審核。雖然在名稱上淫審處未涉及「遊戲」相關的字眼，但該組織同時具有審核電子遊戲的職能。分級包括全年齡、適合18歲以上、不准出版三個分級。被評為只准18歲或以上人士購買的遊戲須貼上提示在游戏包装盒的表面、封面和封底，提示要佔包裝物的面積的20％或以上（如右图所示）；而封套亦須清楚而顯眼地印上游戏出版人的姓名或名稱、營業地址及電話號碼。

South Korea

Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC, Korean: 게임물관리위원회/게임物管理委員會^{Geimmul Gwalli-Wiwonhoe}）is the game rating organization in South Korea established in December 2013, which replaced Game Rating Board (GRB, Korean: 게임물등급위원회/게임物等級委員會).

Ratings

Icon	Rating	Description	Notes
	ALL (전체 이용가) - All users	Permitted for use by all: Game products which may be used by anyone
	12 (12세 이용가) - 12 ages and above	Permmitted for use by 12 year old: Game products which may not be used by those under 12 years of age
	15 (15세 이용가) - 15 ages and above	Permmitted for use by 15 year old: Game products which may not be used by those under 15 years of age
	18 (청소년 이용불가) - Youths restricted	Not permmitted for use by juveniles: Game products which may not be used by juveniles	Due to related law revision in 2024, GRAC 18 has been discarded and changed to GRAC 19.
	19 (청소년 이용불가) - Youths restricted
	TEST (평가용) - For testing	Game contents for testing with GRAC's permission before general release (stability check, efficiency test, closed-beta test, etc.)
	RE (등급면제) — Rating exempted	Unclassified games (for non-profit games).
	R (등급분류거부) — Refusal of classification	由于被审游戏内容违反GRAC评级有关规定，不予分级。 这类游戏被禁止在韩国内地公开售卖或进行宣传。

Descriptors

Icon	Name	Description
	Sexuality	References to explicit depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity
	Violence	References to scenes involving aggressive conflict, may contain blood scenes(realistic blood, gore, weapons, and depictions of human injury and death) / PvP or PK
	Fear, Horror, Threatening	References to horrifying action
	Language	References to inappropriate language (sexual, problematic social messages, abusive language, etc.)
	Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug	Reference to images of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, illegal drug use
	Crime, Anti-societal	Reference to images of crime, anti-societal or anti-governmental messages
	Gambling	References to gambling or betting (speculation), simulated gambling

Singapore

Infocomm Media Development Authority（IMDA）is the Singaporean governmental organization rates and classifies audiovisual products available in their country.

Icon	Rating	Description
	ADV16（Advisory 16）	Suitable for individuals who are at least 16 years old.
	M18（Mature 18）	Restricted to individuals who are at least 18 years old.

Indonesia

Indonesia Game Rating System (IGRS) rates games available in Indonesia. The using ratings include SU (for all ages), 3+, 7+, 13+ and 18+.

Middle East

UAE

National Media Council (NMC, Arabic: المجلس الوطني للإعلام‎) was the Emirati media rating organization established on 2006. They reviewed and classified movies and games released in UAE.

On June 2021, The game rating position was transferred from NMC to Media Regulatory Office (MRO, Arabic: مكتب تنظيم الإعلام‎).

Icon		Description
NMC	MRO
		Suitable for those aged 3 and above.
		Suitable for those aged 7 and above.
		Suitable for those aged 12 and above.
		Suitable for those aged 16 and above.
		Suitable for those aged 18 and above.
		Suitable for those aged 21 and above.

Saudi Arabia

General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAM, Arabic: الهيئة العامة للإعلام المرئي والمسموع‎) is the Saudi Arabian media rating organization established on 2012. They reviews and classifies movies and games released in Saudi Arabia.

Icon	Rating
	Suitable for those aged 3 and above.
	Suitable for those aged 7 and above.
	Suitable for those aged 12 and above.
	Suitable for those aged 16 and above.
	Suitable for those aged 18 and above.

In addition to these ratings, they also have a TBC rating, which introduced in 2020, for games to be reviewed and classified by GCAM.

Iran

Entertainment Software Rating Association (ESRA, Persian: نظام ارزیابی و ردهبندی سنی بازیهای رایانهای‎) is the Iranian video game rating organization established on 2008. They reviews and classifies movies and games released in Iran.

The ratings used by ESRA include 3+, 7+, 12+, 15+ and 18+. The 25+ rating was included until 2011.

Europe

General (PEGI)

Pan European Game Information (PEGI) is an organization which rates games in Europe, founded in April 2003. The game rating in Europe was performed by The Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE).

PEGI rating system is generally used in European countries including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom. Except for Austria, Poland and Finland, PEGI rating certification only has the role of advice and reference and has no legal effect.

Ratings

Icon			Name	Description	Notes
2003-2009	2009-2010	2010-
			PEGI 3	The content of games with a PEGI 3 rating is considered suitable for all age groups. The game should not contain any sounds or pictures that are likely to frighten young children. A very mild form of violence (in a comical context or a childlike setting) is acceptable. No bad language should be heard.
			PEGI 4		Used in Portugal which is equivalent to PEGI 3 and was discontinued since 2021.
			PEGI 6	Game content with scenes or sounds that can possibly be frightening to younger children should fall in this category. Very mild forms of violence (implied, non-detailed, or non-realistic violence) are acceptable for a game with a PEGI 7 rating.	Used in Portugal which is equivalent to PEGI 7 and was discontinued since 2021.
			PEGI 7
	N/A	N/A	PEGI 11	Video games that show violence of a slightly more graphic nature towards fantasy characters or non-realistic violence towards human-like characters would fall in this age category. Sexual innuendo or sexual posturing can be present, while any bad language in this category must be mild.	Used in Finland which is equivalent to PEGI 3 and was discontinued since 2007.
			PEGI 12
	N/A	N/A	PEGI 15	This rating is applied once the depiction of violence (or sexual activity) reaches a stage that looks the same as would be expected in real life. The use of bad language in games with a PEGI 16 rating can be more extreme, while the use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs can also be present.	Used in Finland which is equivalent to PEGI 3 and was discontinued since 2007.
			PEGI 16
			PEGI 18	The adult classification is applied when the level of violence reaches a stage where it becomes a depiction of gross violence, apparently motiveless killing, or violence towards defenceless characters. The glamorisation of the use of illegal drugs and of the simulation of gambling, and explicit sexual activity should also fall into this age category.
N/A	N/A		PEGI !	This serves as a warning that these apps can offer a broad variety of user generated or curated content. Typically, this applies to products such as Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.	This rating is introduced by PEGI for storefronts that use IARC.

Descriptors

Icon	Name	Description
	Violence	The game contains depictions of violence. In games rated PEGI 7 this can only be non-realistic or non-detailed violence. Games rated PEGI 12 can include violence in a fantasy environment or non-realistic violence towards human-like characters, whereas games rated PEGI 16 or 18 have increasingly more realistic-looking violence.​
	Bad language	The game contains bad language. This descriptor can be found on games with a PEGI 12 (mild swearing), PEGI 16 (e.g. sexual expletives or blasphemy) or PEGI 18 rating (e.g. sexual expletives or blasphemy).
	Fear/Horror	This descriptor may appear as 'Fear' on games with a PEGI 7 if it contains pictures or sounds that may be frightening or scary to young children, or as 'Horror' on higher-rated games that contain moderate (PEGI 12) or intense and sustained (PEGI 16) horror sequences or disturbing images (not necessarily including violent content).
	Gambling	The game contains elements that encourage or teach gambling. These simulations of gambling refer to games of chance that are normally carried out in casinos or gambling halls. Some older titles can be found with PEGI 12 or PEGI 16, but PEGI changed the criteria for this classification in 2020, which made that new games with this sort of content are always PEGI 18.
	Sex	This content descriptor can accompany a PEGI 12 rating if the game includes sexual posturing or innuendo, a PEGI 16 rating if there is erotic nudity or sexual intercourse without visible genitals or a PEGI 18 rating if there is explicit sexual activity in the game. Depictions of nudity in a non-sexual context do not require a specific age rating, and this descriptor would not be necessary.
	Drugs	The game refers to or depicts the use of illegal drugs, alcohol or tobacco. Games with this content descriptor are always PEGI 16 or PEGI 18.
	Discrimination	The game contains depictions of ethnic, religious, nationalistic or other stereotypes likely to encourage hatred. This content is always restricted to a PEGI 18 rating (and likely to infringe national criminal laws).
	In-game Purchases	The game offers players the option to purchase digital goods or services with real-world currency. Such purchases include additional content (bonus levels, outfits, surprise items, music), but also upgrades (e.g. to disable ads), subscriptions to updates, virtual coins and other forms of in-game currency.
	Online	Signifies that there is online content found in the game, and has no meaning. Content with the online descriptor can be played by anyone and is automatically treated like a PEGI 3 game, as long as there isn't any other objectionable content in the game (language, violence, nudity). Discontinued in July 2015.

Germany

Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) is the organization that rates games available in Germany, in addition to PEGI.

Icon
Age limit	General	6+	12+	16+	18+	Rating pending

United Kingdom

Before replaced by PEGI on 2012, United Kingdom used British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) to classify the games available in UK.

Icon	Rating	Description	Notes
	U	Suitable for all.
	PG	Parental guidance required.
	12	Suitable for 12 years and over
	15	Suitable for 15 years and over
	18	Suitable for 18 years and over

Russian

Russian Age Rating System (RARS, Russian: Возрастная классификация информационной продукции в России) is a Russian media rating organization. They reviews and classifies movies and games released in Russia.

Icon	Age limit
	All ages
	6+
	12+
	16+
	18+

Oceania

Australia

Australian Classification Board (ACB) is an Australian media rating organization. They reviews and classifies games, as well as movies and other publications available in Australia.

Unrestricted/Suggetions

These ratings are advisory categories. There are no legal restrictions for viewing and/or playing these films and computer games.

Icon	Rating	Description
	Exempt (E)	只能對非常特殊類型的材料（包括教育材料和藝術表演）進行此分級，並且該材料不能包含任何超出PG分級限制的內容。 可以由分銷商或參展商進行評估（自行評估），而無需將產品提交給ACB認證。自評估豁免電影不能使用官方標記，但建議將自我評估進行豁免展示「該電影/電子遊戲豁免分級」。
	General (G)	Films and computer games classified G (General) are suitable for everyone. They can have content that may scare very young children.
	Parental Guidance (PG)	Films and computer games classified PG (Parental Guidance) can have content that a child may find confusing or upsetting and require the guidance of a parent or guardian. It is not recommended for viewing by children under the age of 15 without guidance of a parent or guardian.
	Mature (M)	Films and computer games classified M (Mature) are not recommended for children under the age of 15. They can have content such as violence and themes that requires a mature outlook. Children under the age of 15 may legally access this content. Parents and guardians may need to find out more about the content in a film or computer game before deciding whether it is suitable for a child in their care.

Restricted

The following ratings are legally restricted categories. This means there are legal restrictions on accessing these films and computer games.

Icon	Rating	Description
	Mature Accompanied（MA15+）	The content is strong in impact. Films and computer games classified MA 15+ are legally restricted to people aged 15 and over. They can contain content such as sex scenes and drug use that may have a strong impact on the viewer. A person may be asked to show proof of their age before purchasing, hiring or viewing an MA 15+ film or computer game. A parent or adult guardian must purchase a ticket and accompany a person under 15 for the duration of the film at a cinema or be with them to purchase a MA 15+ film or game.
	Restricted (R18+)	Films and computer games classified as R 18+ are legally restricted to adults 18 years and over. They can contain content that may be offensive to sections of the adult community. A person may be asked to show proof of their age before purchasing or viewing a R 18+ film or computer game.

Game which violates ACB rating rule will be refused for classification (categorized as Refused Classification/RC) and cannot be legally possessed in Australia.

New Zealand

Classification Office (formerly Office of Film and Literature Classification/OFLC) is a statutory organization in New Zealand that rates and reviews films, video games and publications shown, rented and sold in New Zealand.

• Unrestricted: Films with a G, PG or M rating can be sold, hired or shown to anyone. Most unrestricted films are not classified by the Classification Office before release
  • G: People of all ages can view these films and video games. There is no language, nudity, sex, violence or other matters that would upset tamariki.
  • PG: Films and video games with a PG label can be sold, hired or shown to anyone. This means unaccompanied tamariki can watch but some scenes may be scary.
  • M: Films and video games with an M label can be sold, hired or shown to anyone but they are are more suitable for mature audiences. It's a good idea to read the content warning.
• Restricted: Legally age-restricted. It is an offence to allow someone underage to watch or access restricted films and video games. RP means younger people can only watch with a parent or guardian.
  • RP: A parent, shop or cinema is breaking the law if they allow children below these ages to access these films without adult supervision.
    • RP13：Restricted to persons 13 years and over unless accompanied by a Parent/Guardian.
    • RP16：Restricted to persons 16 years and over unless accompanied by a Parent/Guardian.
    • RP18：Restricted to persons 18 years and over unless accompanied by a Parent/Guardian.
  • R: It is illegal to sell, hire, show or give a film or video game with an age-restricted label to anyone under the age specified.
    • 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 group or purpose.

Africa

South Africa

Film and Publication Board (FPB) is a content-classification and regulation authority in South Africa that rates films and video games.

• PG: All ages admitted. However, parental guidance is recommended for younger audiences. This is the lowest rating given to home video releases/video games.
• 7-9 PG: Only children aged 7 and above can be admitted, and those aged 7 to 9 must be accompanied by an adult.
• 10-12 PG: Only children aged 10 and above can be admitted, and those aged 10 to 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
• 13: Only persons aged 13 and above can be admitted. It is illegal to sell a 13-rated video to a person under 13 years.
• 16: Only persons aged 16 and above can be admitted. It is illegal to sell a 16-rated video to a person under 16 years.
• 18: Only persons aged 18 and above can be admitted. It is illegal to sell an 18-rated video to a person under 18 years.

International

国际上架的游戏中，分级一般由國際年齡分級聯盟（Template:Lang-en）进行。此机构成立于2013年，是一個具有突破性的全球遊戲分級和年齡分級系統，受世界上許多遊戲分級機構的監管，專門針對數字遊戲和移動應用程式提供一個全球化的精簡年齡分級流程。一些在手机上发布的游戏，也由iOS的App Store和Google Play Store自行对其分级。

IARC

标志	描述
	内容适合3岁或以上的玩家。
	内容适合7岁或以上的玩家。
	内容适合12岁或以上的玩家。
	内容适合16岁或以上的玩家。
	内容适合18岁或以上的玩家。

App Store

• 4+：不包含令人反感的内容（适合4岁以上用户使用）。此分级也分为以下几个分类：
  • 6-8岁
  • 9-11岁
• 9+：可能包含不适合未满9周岁儿童的内容。
• 12+：可能包含不适合未满12周岁儿童的内容。
• 17+：可能包含不适合未满17周岁儿童的内容。
• 无分级：此类应用不可上架。

External Links

• External link to Fandom: https://rating-system.fandom.com/wiki/Rating_systems_(Games)