In the US and Canada, video games are rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), and each rating has three parts. A rating category (E, E10+, T, M or AO) suggests an age, content descriptors explain what earned that rating, and interactive elements flag things like in-game purchases or chatting with other players. Read all three together and you will know far more than the letter alone tells you.
At Buddymagazine.org we wrote this guide to explain each category in the ESRB’s own words, the small print on the box or store page, and what ratings do not cover.
Key Takeaways
- ESRB ratings have three parts: a rating category, content descriptors and interactive elements.
- The categories are E, E10+, T, M and AO, plus RP for games still waiting on a final rating.
- Interactive elements such as In-Game Purchases and Users Interact are about features, not content, and they deserve as much attention as the letter.
- Ratings do not cover in-game ads or content made by other players, and updates can change a game after it is rated.
- Console and app store parental controls can block games above a chosen rating and limit spending.
Who Rates Video Games?
The ESRB is a non-profit, self-regulatory body for the video game industry, not a government agency. According to the ESRB’s About page, it was established in 1994 by the trade group now called the Entertainment Software Association, and its main job is helping consumers, especially parents, make informed choices.
For digital games and mobile apps, many storefronts, including Google Play and the PlayStation Store, have adopted the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) process described in the ESRB’s history. That is one reason you often see ESRB ratings on games in console and phone stores, not just on physical boxes. The ESRB also enforces its rules on publishers, with the ability to impose fines and corrective actions when required content is not disclosed.
The Rating Categories
Here is what each category means, based on the official ESRB ratings guide.
E: Everyone
Content is generally suitable for all ages. It may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and infrequent use of mild language.
E10+: Everyone 10+
Content is generally suitable for ages 10 and up. Compared with E, it may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and minimal suggestive themes.
T: Teen
Content is generally suitable for ages 13 and up. It may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and infrequent use of strong language.
M: Mature 17+
Content is generally suitable for ages 17 and up. It may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and strong language.
AO: Adults Only 18+
Content is suitable only for adults ages 18 and up. It may include prolonged scenes of intense violence, graphic sexual content or gambling with real currency.
RP: Rating Pending
RP means the game has not yet been assigned a final ESRB rating. It is replaced once a rating is assigned.
| Rating | Suggested age | May contain (official ESRB wording, shortened) |
|---|---|---|
| E (Everyone) | All ages | Minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence; infrequent mild language |
| E10+ (Everyone 10+) | 10 and up | More cartoon, fantasy or mild violence; mild language; minimal suggestive themes |
| T (Teen) | 13 and up | Violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, infrequent strong language |
| M (Mature 17+) | 17 and up | Intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, strong language |
| AO (Adults Only 18+) | 18 and up | Prolonged intense violence, graphic sexual content, gambling with real currency |
| RP (Rating Pending) | Not yet rated | Final rating not assigned yet |
Content Descriptors: The Why Behind the Letter
Content descriptors are short phrases next to the rating that explain what triggered it. A few common examples, using the ESRB’s definitions:
- Fantasy Violence: violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters.
- Intense Violence: graphic and realistic-looking depictions of physical conflict.
- Blood and Gore: depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts.
- Strong Language: explicit and/or frequent use of profanity.
- Simulated Gambling: the player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency.
If you already know how film ratings work from our guide to movie ratings from G to NC-17, descriptors play the same role as the reason line under a film rating.
Interactive Elements: Features to Watch
Interactive elements are notices about how a game works rather than what it shows, and they often matter most for families. Key ones include:
- In-Game Purchases: the game offers digital goods or premiums for real money, such as bonus levels, skins or subscriptions.
- In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items): the player does not know in advance exactly what they will get, as with loot boxes.
- Users Interact: possible exposure to unfiltered user-generated content, including chat between players.
A game rated E can still carry Users Interact and In-Game Purchases. That combination deserves the same attention as a higher letter. For broader steps on keeping personal details safe while gaming, see our guide to protecting your online privacy.
What Ratings Do Not Cover
Ratings are useful, but they have limits. The FTC’s guide to kids and video games points out that ESRB ratings do not cover ads in games or user-created content, such as custom game modes made by other players. It also notes that games get updated, so the rating and reviews you see might not reflect the latest version.
A rating tells you what the publisher built, not what strangers might say in voice chat. For online games, settings matter as much as the rating.
Teach children not to share personal information with other players and to tell a trusted adult if someone asks to move the conversation to another app. Use blocking and reporting tools for anyone who makes them uncomfortable.
Using Parental Controls With Ratings
Most consoles, PC launchers and phone app stores let you pair ratings with controls, and the approach we suggest at Buddymagazine.org is to set them up before the first download. The FTC lists several options worth setting up:
- Set a rating limit so games above a chosen category cannot be downloaded or played.
- Control spending by turning purchases off, requiring a password or setting a dollar limit.
- Manage chat by turning it off or limiting it to approved friends.
- Review the friend list and remove anyone your child does not know in real life.
Store policies on selling M-rated games to younger buyers vary, so the most reliable line of defense is the settings on your own devices and an honest conversation with your kids.
More on Games and Screens
The Entertainment section covers more guides on movies, games and media. Device settings, apps and online safety are covered in our Technology section. For the full range of topics, start with more explainers on Buddymagazine.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between E10+ and T?
E10+ is generally suitable for ages 10 and up and may include more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and minimal suggestive themes. T is generally suitable for ages 13 and up and may include violence, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and infrequent strong language. Check the descriptors for specifics.
Does an ESRB rating cover online chat?
No. The rating covers the content the publisher put in the game. The Users Interact notice warns that players may be exposed to unfiltered content from other users, and the FTC notes ratings do not cover user-created content or in-game ads. Use chat and friend settings to manage this risk.
What does “In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)” mean?
It means the game sells digital items for real money where the player does not know exactly what they will get before paying. Loot boxes are the common example. If you want to limit this, use your device or store settings to turn off purchases, require a password or set a spending limit.
Is the ESRB part of the government?
No. The ESRB is a non-profit, self-regulatory body for the video game industry, established in 1994 by the industry trade group now called the Entertainment Software Association. Its ratings are an industry system, not a law, though it can fine and penalize publishers that break its own rules on disclosing content.
