ESRB ADDS 10+
RATING CLASSIFICATION
Copyright 2005 Entertainment Software Rating Board
[ March 4th 2005 ]
A new
video game rating category, E10+ (Everyone 10
and older), was introduced today by the Entertainment
Software Rating Board (ESRB), to help consumers
more easily differentiate between games that have
content appropriate for the whole family and games
that are suitable for ages 10 and older.
"The
content of computer and video games continues
to advance in terms of sophistication, complexity,
and graphic quality," said Patricia Vance, president
of ESRB. "Given this evolution, the new E10+ rating
category will provide consumers, particularly
parents, with more precise guidance on the age
appropriateness of certain titles, fulfilling
our goal of helping ensure that the right games
are selected for their children and families."
Vance
added that the ESRB consulted numerous child development
experts and academicians in creating the E10+
category and found broad agreement with its introduction
and the theory underlying it. "Given the significant
developmental differences between very young and
teen-age children, the E10+ category will be very
useful for parents," added Dr. Ralph I. Lopez,
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at
the Cornell Medical College, and Author of "The
Teen Health Book: A Parent's Guide to Adolescent
Health and Well-Being."
Game
titles that carry the E10+ rating might contain
moderate amounts of cartoon, fantasy or mild violence,
mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes.
Games appropriate for all ages will continue to
receive an E (Everyone) rating.
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