Video Game Rating Systems - Is Now The Time For A Change?

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Are the current video game rating systems like the ESRB and PEGI doing enough? Amanda and Stacy break down what they would like to see in the rating systems.

Do you like this episode? Wanna complain about something we got wrong? Let us know what you think by dropping a comment below or emailing us at info@templeofgeek.com. We really want to hear your opinions!

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Intro Music – Final Impasse By Ground is Lava

CHECK OUT OUR LAST FEW EPISODES

WHAT THE REBELS ARE PLAYING

Stacey – He’s downloaded the Nathan Drake series, but is still working on his Pandaren. He has obtained 30 levels in a week, which he’s really proud of (even though others are already maxed). I just want to go back to Pandaria, see the content again and try to get the max level before the boost ends. Another for the collection while 100% exp is on!

Amanda- I’m playing Batman – The Enemy Within and it’s good! Even though the pre-Joker character is THE MOST ANNOYING character on the face of the planet. I had a great time playing through the choices and even had one of the rarest endings possible. A ride from start to finish another some characters like Mr. Freeze could have been more developed.

Verdict – Get it! It’s a great way to spend 8 or so hours.

GAMING NEWS

Fortnight season 3 has been delayed until June. Epic Games aren’t saying if that’s due to COVID19 but the timing suggests that.

Last of Us 2 has been pushed back again and may face further delays until next year. Pundits are speculating that the game may be digital-only as a result of the impact of COVID19.

Gamescom is going digital post-cancellations related to COVID19. There are nearly 400k people who regularly attend and now it’s going online only.

The Verge shared a guide called ‘11 tools to get you started, making your own video games’ that includes engine and asset suggestions. What a cool way to spend lockdown!

PEGI and ESRB rating systems now include notices regarding in-game purchases of random items (loot boxes) but they don’t impact the rating. We think they should be prevented from appearing in any games but M for Mature.

THE ESRB

Current ratings are these and we think they are a great start. Although, we do think this list should be consolidated and made more detailed. More on that below.

Alcohol Reference
Blood
Cartoon Violence
Crude Humor
Fantasy Violence
Language
Mature Humor
Partial Nudity
Sexual Content
Sexual Violence
Strong Language
Strong Sexual Content
Tobacco Reference
Use of Drugs
Violence
Animated Blood
Blood and Gore
Comic Mischief
Drug Reference
Intense Violence
Lyrics
Nudity
Real Gambling
Sexual Themes
Simulated Gambling
Strong Lyrics
Suggestive Themes
Use of Alcohol
Use of Tobacco
Violent References

The elements below don’t influence the rating of a game (they are mentioned) and we think they should, to protect vulnerable people like children and gamblers.

In-Game Purchases
In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)
Users Interact
Shares Location
Unrestricted Internet

There are other rating elements we’d want to be considered like these:

Mental health (depression, addiction, psychological trauma, etc)
Physical health (unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, disordered sleeping, etc)
Types of sexual content (same-sex, polyamory)
Types of in-game purchases (pay to win elements or cosmetic only)
If you can opt-out of interactions (solo mode)
For what purpose location is shared and with whom
For what reason would one need unrestricted internet in a game, it’s not specific
Purchases integrated into UI