ESRB Ratings Add Violence Descriptors

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to an ESRB press release saying they've added four new violence-specific content descriptors to their voluntary but near-universally used age/suitability ratings system for games. These descriptors are "Cartoon Violence, defined as 'violent actions involving cartoon-like characters. May include violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted'... Fantasy Violence, defined as 'violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life.'... Intense Violence, defined as 'graphic and realistic-looking depictions of physical conflict. May involve extreme and/or realistic blood, gore, weapons, and depictions of human injury and death'... Sexual Violence, defined as 'depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts.'" There's also mention of icon redesign to include recommended age ranges and new, more prominent labels on the back of game boxes, presumably in response to legal challenges regarding violent games.

Comments

Re:Rape?

[mhesseltine]

Maybe I'm a little out of touch with gaming these days but is there really so much rape in videogames these days that it deserves it's own category?

Well, maybe not yet, but with GTA III and Vice City (where you can pickup prostitutes, etc.) they may just be preparing for sequels involving more of these story lines.

The entertainment industry's most complete ratings

[AvantLegion]

Video gaming's ESRB ratings are more complete and descriptive than any other industry's. And the gaming industry has voluntarily submitted to having a ratings board. It took motion pictures many years to get to the point of decent industry-regulated ratings, and even still, they're vague and non-descriptive.

One reason Lieberman and torch-waving "me too" followers called off the dogs was because of how complete and detailed the ESRB ratings have become. To Liebermen's credit, he admits and praises this publically.

I am not a parent yet, but in a few years, I will appreciate having a tool like that to judge content by. This is what content control needs to be like - non-intrusive and voluntary, but complete and descriptive. As most children can tell you, rules like "no R rated movies, period" become embarrassing when all of their friends get to watch certain R-rated movies on a case-by-case basis. A descriptive rating system makes it easier to make better judgement calls. It's not a be-all end-all, and some people will always think it's too harsh/lenient, but it's far better than nothing.