ESRB: Number of M-rated games declined in 2007
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Feb 7th 2008 at 2:55PM }
The ESRB sure has some slick spin going on with its "appropriate for ages 13 or younger" stat. With its cunning use of "or" instead of "and," the organization deftly lumps T-rated games with the two levels of "E" titles. Really, it's teens 13-16 who have 'approved' access to 94% of games, while the younger crowd should only tango with 74%.
We spoke with the ESRB about why E rated titles make up such a large majority of ratings now. A spokesperson told Joystiq, "[The E ratings] growth is due in part to the recent influx of casual games for the PC, handheld devices and online arcades, etc." We learned a game could receive duplicate ratings to boost a certain category unless a publisher submits a game for multiple platforms at the same time. Also, all versions must share the same "graphical realism/intensity, and any other elements that might impact the assignment of the rating" for it to only count once. If there is "differing content, graphical realism/intensity, etc." then a single title could have multiple ratings. A game like Peggle, which has staggered onto multiple platforms over time, would boost "E" ratings for each of the game's versions.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
samred @ Feb 7th 2008 3:02PM
These numbers are inflated by shovelware; wake me up when the ESRB reveals percentages of SALES per demographic. Halo 3, for example, has sold way too many copies to not reach the hands of a significant number of younger players.
Batzarro @ Feb 7th 2008 5:58PM
The ESRB doesn't measure sales. Also, since they only check ID in M rated games(and then, they just look at your ID...), how in the name of all that is good and holy are they saposed to get this data?
Moffka @ Feb 7th 2008 3:16PM
All games are violent and horrible for children. Video games should be banned.
Hur hur hur.
LaughingTarget @ Feb 7th 2008 3:04PM
I wonder what percentage those 6% make up of total sales.
Fox318 @ Feb 7th 2008 3:04PM
Its time to kick ass and chew bubble gum, and we all have plenty of bubble gum.
Geist @ Feb 8th 2008 12:25PM
It's time to kick ass and chew bubblegum, and I'm all out of ass.
Princess Skittles @ Feb 7th 2008 3:06PM
This isn't surprising with Virtual Console, Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network, the games released on these services have to be rated and most of them are going to be E rated.
Dr. @ Feb 7th 2008 3:07PM
I'd like to see a chart that shows the same, but for movie ratings.
Stephen @ Feb 7th 2008 3:11PM
There are a lot of really bad games that are E. There is a truckload of family games and 3rd party Wii versions of games that are just donwright awful. Almost all of my games are M and because of money i generally only buy really good game. (Halo 3, COD4, Rainbow 6 vegas, Assassins creed, and others). I have a few games that are T and a couple sports games that are E.
Adam @ Feb 7th 2008 3:24PM
There are also alot of really bad M games. What's your point?
Stephen @ Feb 7th 2008 3:28PM
there are a lot of bad M games, but i think that there are a lot more bad E games.
Evan @ Feb 7th 2008 4:19PM
@Stephen
Does playing mostly mature games help you feel mature?
upz @ Feb 7th 2008 4:24PM
Stephen's right. Take a look at the top games for the consoles as well as PC. Considering that M rated games only account for a small portion all games made, how is it that such a large percentage of the top games are rated M? I won't throw up any stats from Metacritic, but the feel free to do the research, if you'd like. I'd also venture that if we looked at the movie industry, we'd see a similar pattern.
The fact is, more often than not, in order to tell a compelling story, you need to treat your audience like adults. Real life is not rated E for Everyone.
Saneless @ Feb 7th 2008 3:16PM
PERCENTAGES have dropped.. Not the number, necessarily. When you increase the numbers, percentages change, but that doesn't mean the numbers get worse.
Nigeria @ Feb 7th 2008 3:19PM
What games - apart from Manhunt 2, I think - have gained a mature rating?
Are developers scared to aim for the big M? Why? What happened to "kick down all doors" creativity?
If it even existed.
chispito @ Feb 7th 2008 4:48PM
You're confusing M with AO. And MH2 was of course doctored down to M in the US.
Tons of high profile games this past year were rated M.
Nigeria @ Feb 7th 2008 5:30PM
Oh yeah.
In Europe the equivalent for the Mature rating is an 18. We don't have an AO, 18 is the highest.
mattclarkie @ Feb 7th 2008 3:22PM
Well the growth in E is clearly the Wii.
On another note all but 4 of my games are rated 15 and up.
StarFoxA @ Feb 7th 2008 3:34PM
I blame the Wii for all the E rated games.
mr nimblewick @ Feb 7th 2008 8:42PM
To sum up this comment section:
Oh my god! I thought I had been feeling 22% less mature lately! DAMN YOU NINTENDO!!!!!
naxe @ Feb 7th 2008 3:43PM
Most of the games i have and play are rated M. Not that i care. i just realized that a couple days ago. M rated games usually are more story driven more realistic. I know we dont all live on mars shooting plasma guns, but their is a feel of reality with the story and the gameplay.
unlike wii games. taking an acid trip and jumping on turtles, eating a flower and possesing super fire manipulating abilities, rescuing a peach from a dragon.
j/k love mario. but seriously nintendo is oversaturating the industry with crap. countless ds games that my 5 yr old nephew finds boring.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Feb 7th 2008 4:40PM
"but seriously shitty third party developers are oversaturating the industry with crap."
Fixed it.
You can thank me later.
Gavin @ Feb 7th 2008 4:45PM
Yeah, because you can't blame Nintendo for dropping quality control and letting anything and everything being shoveled onto their console. Totally can't point the finger at them when MS and Sony both have quality control guidelines in place whereas Nintendo dumped that idea years ago when they discovered that a huge chunk of DS owners and Nintendo console owners will buy Barnie's Pretty Pony Princess and Ninjabreadman.
How can anyone possibly blame Nintendo for their own actions?
Mr Khan @ Feb 7th 2008 4:58PM
And you think that Microsoft or Sony would say no to any of those games?
If anything the blame goes to Nintendo for making their console "accessible." Damn them and their trying to mainstream the industry
Geist @ Feb 8th 2008 12:31PM
"but seriously nintendo is making some of the best and most enjoyable games in the industry."
Fix'd.
Avarice @ Feb 7th 2008 4:32PM
Dear God, won't someone think of the adults?!
Sidepocket @ Feb 7th 2008 5:10PM
Yea uh, this was the same back in 1996 when I was a pre-teen.
So WTF has changed?
mr nimblewick @ Feb 7th 2008 8:43PM
To sum up this comment section:
Oh my god! I thought I had been feeling 22% less mature lately! DAMN YOU NINTENDO!!!!!
RabbidMickeyMouse @ Feb 8th 2008 4:24AM
Granted, 6% may not match the sales, but I wonder how many would be willing to turn to these figures to counter an argument that says the industry is full violent, mature games.