As a multimedia specialist who helps create video games, you may not have total control over the content of the game. However, the images and animations you create will have to fit into a set of guidelines set by the Entertainment Software Rating Board. So before you stick a cigarette in that animated character's mouth, you'd better think about how it will affect sales if the label on the game reads “Use of Tobacco.”
Video games have been given ratings similar to the way movies are rated. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) decides what rating a game will be given. The ratings are as follows.
These ratings are decided by looking at many different parts of the game including: strong language, violence, sexual content, use of alcohol and tobacco. Some people argue that playing these games does not cause an individual to be violent in real life or to start smoking or drinking, but other people are concerned that they might.
What influence do you believe violence or other harmful actions in video games or movies has on viewers or game players?
Do you believe interactivity makes violence in video games more influential than violence in songs or movies? Yes No
Since video game characters are not real, does it matter what they do? Yes No
Explain:
Do you think video games should be rated? Yes No
What effect do you think these ratings will have on someone who designs them for a living?
www.esrb.org/esrbratings_guide.asp#descriptors
Detailed Descriptions of Ratings System
Science Daily
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100301111405.htm
Experimental violent video games makes children more aggressive