The ESRB rates video game content to help parents make informed choices about games. The rating includes a symbol indicating the game's age group and content descriptors about violence, language, or sexual content. Parents should check the ESRB rating and descriptors before buying games for children and discuss the games' content with their kids.

1. What You Need To
Know About The ESRB?

2. What is the ESRB?
ESRB stands for Entertainment Software Rating Board
• They are responsible for rating the content of all
interactive entertainment software (aka Video
Games) designed for Consoles, PC and Hand Held
Devices.
• The ESRB rating system is specifically designed
to help parents and consumers choose the
appropriate game for their peers and family.
• Consumers should not purchase video games
without the proper knowledge or understanding of
the ESRB rating system, especially when
purchasing for minors.

3. What Parents Need To
•
Know…
The Entertainment Software Rating Board is
there to help PARENTS choose the right games
for their children for their age.
• We recommend that parents learn about game
content in order to make an informed purchase
decision when it comes to minors and video
games.
• You can always research game reviews or
pictures/videos of gameplay on the internet or
magazines to help with your decision making
process.
• ESRB also urges parents to talk with their
children about their favorite games. Playing
games with your children helps stimulate
discussions and can be a fun way to spend
time together.

4. 2 Main Components of ESRB
Ratings
Component #1: ESRB Rating
Symbols

5. 2 Main Components of ESRB
Ratings
Component #2:
ESRB Content Descriptions
• Content Descriptions are on the back of
every game’s box indicating exactly why
each game received a particular rating and
what might be a concern to the purchaser.
• The content descriptors are there to protect
children from playing video games that
have content too mature for them.

6. Examples of Content Descriptors:

7. What Parents Need to Know About Online Play:
Games played online carry the notice:
"Online Interactions Not Rated by the ESRB.”
This notice warns those
who intend to play the
game online about
possible exposure to
chat (text, audio, video)
or other types of user-
generated content
(maps, skins, clan
tags, etc.) that have not
been considered in the
ESRB rating.

8. How Parents Can Adjust Game Content Settings:
• When purchasing a “M” rated video game
make sure to ask the sales representative if
you can change/filter content in the main
menu.
• If you can adjust the Game Content
(Gore, Language, Blood, Etc) it will either be
prompted on title screen or it will manually
need to be changed in the “options” at the
main menu.
• Examples of some Mature games that feature
this ability:
• Gears of War 1, 2 & 3
Mature Content Filter in this
• Call of Duty: Black Ops
game allows you turn off
Language and Gore. • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
• Assassins Creed I, II & III
• Borderlands 1 & 2
• Elder Scrolls: Oblivion or Skyrim
• Mass Effect 1, 2 & 3

9. Questions For Review:
1. What is the main goal of the ESRB rating system?
a. To match video game ratings similar to movie ratings
b. Help retail stores group games easier on their shelves
c. Give parents the information they need to evaluate a game before making a purchase decision
d. To provide another inventory category in addition to game publisher and genre
2. ESRB ratings have two parts. What are they?
a. The Rating Symbol and Genre
b. The Rating Symbol and the Content Descriptors
c. Content Descriptors and Price
d. Genre Description and Rating Recommendation
3. Where do you find the ESRB rating symbol on video games?
a. On the side, or spine, of the package
b. It’s not typically visible and you have to visit the game’s web site to find the rating
c. Inside the package on a separate sheet
d. On the front of the box either on the bottom right or bottom left corner
4. ESRB also provides rating summaries, which provide even more information about game
content. How would parents and others be able to read these rating summaries?
a. Rating summaries are available [www.esrb.org] and appear as a rating search result
b. Parents can download the ESRB rating search iPhone app and access rating summaries right at
the store look
c. Parents and others can use their “smart phone” and conduct a rating search on ESRB’s mobile
website: [m.esrb.org]
d. ESRB has a rating search widget that provides rating summaries
e. All of the above

10. Questions For Review:
5. If a Parent has a question about game content, what are the best sources of information?
a. Check the ESRB rating summaries online at www.esrb.org
b. Read the content descriptors on Game Package.
c. Talk to friends or older kids.
d. Gaming Literature (Magazines, Reviews, Etc)
e. All of the above.
6. Your 10 year old asks you for a new Game for their Birthday, based on ESRB ratings…
which games would you recommend?
a. Early Childhood, Everyone and Teen games
b. Everyone and Teen games
c. Early Childhood, Everyone, Teen and Mature games
d. Everyone, Everyone 10+ games
7. Can a sales associate sell games that carry an M (Mature) rating to children if they are under
the age of 17?
a. No, according to store policy. (unless Parent or Guardian is present)
b. Yes, because it isn’t legal to refuse a sale
c. Yes, because children will find a way to get a game they want
8. What is the best way to monitor the type of game content your child experiences?
a. Read ESRB Ratings and Content Descriptors?
b. Talk to your child about what they encounter during Gameplay.
c. Read Game Reviews
d. Ask a Sales Associate prior to purchase.
e. All of the above

11. Questions For Review: Answers
1. What is the main goal of the ESRB rating system?
a. To match video game ratings similar to movie ratings
b. Help retail stores group games easier on their shelves
c. Give parents the information they need to evaluate a game before making a purchase decision
d. To provide another inventory category in addition to game publisher and genre
2. ESRB ratings have two parts. What are they?
a. The Rating Symbol and Genre
b. The Rating Symbol and the Content Descriptors
c. Content Descriptors and Price
d. Genre Description and Rating Recommendation
3. Where do you find the ESRB rating symbol on video games?
a. On the side, or spine, of the package
b. It’s not typically visible and you have to visit the game’s web site to find the rating
c. Inside the package on a separate sheet
d. On the front of the box either on the bottom right or bottom left corner
4. ESRB also provides rating summaries, which provide even more information about game
content. How would parents and others be able to read these rating summaries?
a. Rating summaries are available [www.esrb.org] and appear as a rating search result
b. Parents can download the ESRB rating search iPhone app and access rating summaries right at
the store look
c. Parents and others can use their “smart phone” and conduct a rating search on ESRB’s mobile
website: [m.esrb.org]
d. ESRB has a rating search widget that provides rating summaries
e. All of the above

12. Questions For Review: Answers
5. If a Parent has a question about game content, what are the best sources of information?
a. Check the ESRB rating summaries online at www.esrb.org
b. Read the content descriptors on Game Package.
c. Talk to friends or older kids.
d. Gaming Literature (Magazines, Reviews, Etc)
e. All of the above.
6. Your 10 year old asks for a new Game for their Birthday, based on ESRB ratings… which
games would you recommend?
a. Early Childhood, Everyone and Teen games
b. Everyone and Teen games
c. Early Childhood, Everyone, Teen and Mature games
d. Everyone, Everyone 10+ games
7. Can a sales associate sell games that carry an M (Mature) rating to children if they are under
the age of 17?
a. No, according to store policy. (unless Parent/Guardian is present)
b. Yes, because it isn’t legal to refuse a sale
c. Yes, because children will find a way to get a game they want
8. What is the best way to monitor the type of game content your child experiences?
a. Read ESRB Ratings and Content Descriptors?
b. Talk to your child about what they encounter during Gameplay.
c. Read Game Reviews
d. Ask a Sales Associate prior to purchase.
e. All of the above