Since its establishment in 1994, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board have become one of the most well-respected rating systems in the world. Recognized by parents as a gauge of which games are suitable for their children, ESRB use an easy to understand age rating system as well as including details regarding the content of each title.
Due to the rise of entirely digital games as opposed to hard copies purchased in stores, concerns have arisen among parents as to the rating system of games bought online through services such as the PlayStation Network, Nintendo eShop and Xbox Live Arcade. Well, now the ESRB has released an answer to this concern:
“ESRB’s Digital Rating Service now offers all digital platforms, storefronts and networks the opportunity to empower their customers with consistent, credible, familiar and useful upfront guidance no matter where their family chooses to play games.”
The new Digital Rating Service is a “streamlined, no-cost service” available to all developers, involving a detailed online questionnaire, which (once completed) instantly assigns a rating to the game. Also, in addition to warning the consumer about the age-appropriateness of the title and its content, the new system will include three new elements of rating information. These are “Shares Info”, “Shares Location” and “Users Interact”. These additional elements have been implemented due to parents’ concerns regarding information sharing when their families are gaming online, and it will serve to add awareness and peace of mind.
To view the full press release, go here.
