This is part 5 of an ongoing series discussing media matters for families and concerned individuals.  Following is a list of other posts in the series….

• Television Part 1 – What Do You Watch?
• Television Part 2 – Did You See That?
• Streaming Media and Guiding Principles
• Video Games Part 1

Today we are going to take a look at the video game ratings system and I am going to provide a few examples of games for each of the ratings categories.  The Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) designates content ratings for all games that are released for consoles (Xbox, Playstation, Wii) and computers.  The ESRB has done a good job of keeping up with the changes in technology since they now provide interactive advisories, such as “Shares Info”, “Shares Location”, and “User Interaction.”  The ESRB has also added detailed descriptions about content which will be discussed later in this post.

Some of the ratings are used so rarely that we will not be looking at them in detail.  The “Ec” rating is for “Early Childhood” games.  Content is obviously intended for very young children.  The “E10+” rating is for “Everyone 10+”.  The description from the ESRB site reads, “Content is generally suitable for ages 10 and up. May contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes.”  There is also an “AO” or “Adults Only” rating that I have never seen on a game in a store.  This rating is described as, “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.”

Let’s take a look at the most popular ratings in detail…

“E” for “Everyone”

The ESRB describes this rating as, “Content is generally suitable for all ages. May contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.”  Games in this category include most of the sports games like Madden NFL 25, all of the Mario Brothers series of games, and most of the kid themed games that involve Mickey Mouse, Legos, and other toys.  I did a quick search of “E” rated games for Xbox on Amazon that you can view HERE. Very few people would find any objectionable content in games that are rated “E.”

“T” for “Teen”

The ESRB describes this rating as, “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.”  There are a limited number of games in this category.  Many of the games that are published are either “E” or “M” (Mature).  Some of the popular games in this rating include most of the Batman series of games, the Need for Speed series, and the Final Fantasy series.

These games will include more content and the rating will be accompanied by at least one rating descriptor.  Following is the list of descriptors the ESRB uses:

• 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
• 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
• Mature Humor – Depictions or dialogue involving “adult” humor, including sexual references
• 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 Content – Non-explicit depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including partial nudity
• Sexual Themes – References to sex or sexuality
• Sexual Violence – Depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts
• 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
• Strong Sexual Content – Explicit and/or frequent 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 Alcohol – The consumption of alcoholic beverages
• Use of Drugs – The consumption or use of illegal drugs
• Use of Tobacco – The consumption of tobacco products
• Violence – Scenes involving aggressive conflict. May contain bloodless dismemberment
• Violent References – References to violent acts

That’s an interesting list of descriptors for games that are supposed to entertain.  Remember that content descriptors do not include online content.  Many of these games might include online interaction with chat.  The language in some chat sessions might be unacceptable to some.  You can view my search of “T” rated games HERE.

“M” for “Mature”

This is a surprisingly popular rating for games.  “M” is the video game equivalent of an “R” rating for a movie or an “MA” rating for a TV show.  The ESRB describes this rating as, “Content is generally suitable for ages 17 and up. May contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.”  Games with this rating tend to be some of the most popular series such as Call of Duty, Splinter Cell, Grand Theft Auto, and Assassins Creed.

Possibly the most popular game in this rating at the time of publication is Grand Theft Auto V.  The game is being released the same day as this post is being published.  For informational purposes only I have included the official trailer for this game that includes language and other content I do not approve of.  At time of publication this video had 25,000,000 views.  Parents should be warned that the trailer is mild, perhaps even “G-rated”, when compared to actual game play.  Remember, “M” rated games are the video game equivalent of an “R’ rated movie.  (Let me reiterate that this video is in this post for parents who need to be aware of the content and themes in the games their kids are wanting.  I do not endorse this game or the content of this video.)

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Guiding Principles: Just

Video game content and technology will constantly change.  Just over 30 years ago we were all playing simple games on Atari, now the games are realistic and intense.  As discussed in other posts, families should establish guiding principles for making wise media decisions.  Our family uses Philippians 4:8 and today’s guiding principle, the third in the verse, is “just.”  In context, “…whatever is just…think about these things.”

“Just” is a great guiding principle for a post about video games.  Many of today’s games glorify criminal activities, injustice, and graphically depict scenes of war.  Being entertained by graphic depictions of things that are not “just” will have an impact on the gamer.  Many families who don’t allow their children to watch “R” rated movies do allow their children to play “M” rated games.  That is something to stop and consider.

Family Worship Series

I appreciate those of you who have been following along with my year long series of family worship guides. Today we continue on past David as Solomon builds the temple.  Week 38 – The Temple Is Built