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The '''Entertainment Software Rating Board''' (abbreviated as "ESRB") is a non-[[profit]] self-regulatory major [[rating]] organization in the [[United States]], it enforces ratings, [[advertising]] guidelines and helps ensure online [[privacy]] practices for the [[software]] industry, most notably [[video games]].

The '''Entertainment Software Rating Board''' (abbreviated as "ESRB") is a non-[[profit]], self-regulatory, major [[rating]] organization in the [[United States]]. It applies ratings, creates [[advertising]] guidelines, and helps ensure online [[privacy]] practices for the [[software]] industry, most notably [[video games]].

It uses a series of symbols for its ratings (EC, E, E10+, T, M, AO, RP) as well as a brief description of the content involved (e.g. "Strong Language"), see above for an explanation of these. It must be noted, however, that the ESRB doesn't strictly enforce older ages for titles with content that goes against [[Christian]] values, and should be used as a starting point in your consideration of a game.

It uses a series of symbols for its ratings (EC, E, E10+, T, M, AO, RP) as well as a brief description of the content involved (e.g. "Strong Language"). It must be noted, however, that the ESRB doesn't strictly enforce older ages for titles with content that goes against [[Christian]] values and should be used as a starting point in your consideration of a game.

==History==

==History==

The ESRB was established in September 1994 after [[Video game controversy|controversies surrounding video games]] due to the improved quality of 16-bit systems that allowed video game companies to create [[Violent video games|violent products]] where inappropriate material (for example, blood spilling) could be seen clearly. After congressional hearings held in 1992 and 1993, the software industry was given one year to establish a rating system or the [[federal government]] would create its own, resulting in the formation of various systems such as the 3DO Rating System and those of the Videogame Rating Council (VRC) and the Recreational Software Advisory Council (RSAC). The ESRB was formed after being presented and approved in Congress, eventually leading all companies to follow their ratings.

The ESRB was established in September 1994 after [[Video game controversy|controversies surrounding video games]] due to the improved quality of 16-bit systems that allowed video game companies to create [[Violent video games|violent products]] where inappropriate material (for example, blood spilling) could be seen clearly. After congressional hearings held in 1992 and 1993, the software industry was given one year to establish a rating system or the [[federal government]] would create its own, resulting in the formation of various systems such as the 3DO Rating System and those of the Videogame Rating Council (VRC) and the Recreational Software Advisory Council (RSAC). The ESRB was formed after being presented and approved in Congress, eventually leading all companies to follow their ratings.

==Rating System<ref>http://www.esrb.org/ratings/ratings_guide.jsp</ref>==

==Rating System==

===Rating symbols===

===Rating symbols===

They are a black-and-white rectangular logo with the rating's name and a prominent codification of the rating in few alphanumeric characters. The ESRB describes them as follows:

They are a black-and-white rectangular logo with the rating's name and a prominent codification of the rating in few alphanumeric characters. The ESRB describes them as follows:<ref>http://www.esrb.org/ratings/ratings_guide.jsp</ref>

[[Image:Ratingsymbol ec.gif|30px]]'''Early Childhood (EC)''': Have content that may be suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate.

[[Image:Ratingsymbol ec.gif|30px]]'''Early Childhood (EC)''': Have content that may be suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate.