Game Rating System Explained

If you are a video or computer game purchaser or user, you may or may not be familiar with the rating system for this type of software. Whether you are buying for yourself or someone else, it is important that you understand how the system works and how the actual game rating is determined. For those who have children in their home it is especially important for you to know what the letters (i.e. E, T, M, AO) mean before you bring a new game into your home. The rating system is a good tool to help anyone determine the appropriateness of the software.

In the past, entertainment software was pretty simplified with pixilated graphics and very basic sound capabilities, but in the last decade it has changed drastically. A game can be made very realistic. This is exciting for those who like to use the latest software and it can make the gaming experience much more enjoyable. But, in addition to the vastly improved technology, graphics and sound on the software, many game products are becoming increasingly more violent, and more "adult in their themes. The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) was established as an independent group to rate each game according to age appropriateness.

Each rating is determined by an independent panel of three reviewers who are not connected with the entertainment software industry. They look thoroughly at the product and using a "grading" sheet, mark what elements are contained in the game. Most of the time the panel agrees on a rating, but if not, more reviewers are sometimes used. Then the panel submits their findings to the ESRB who gives them to the manufacturer. Entertainment software companies do not have to use the ESRB, but virtually all of them do. The ESRB has also established the ARC (Advertising Review Council) which regulates "truth in advertising" for the ads and packaging of a game.

The ratings have two parts. When you purchase software, you will see a bold black letter in a white box on the front of the packaging. This is the symbol. The symbols run from eC (for Early Childhood) to AO (for Adults Only.) Ratings are based on the amount of violence, sexuality, drug use, gambling, and other material. On the back of the package you will find another box with a block letter in it. This is the content descriptor box. It will have details of what the content of the software is. This gives you further information to base your purchasing decisions on.

As a parent or guardian, it is your choice and responsibility to make the entertainment in your home appropriate.

New Sony PS3 Released In The UK

Sony have been losing money on their 60GB PS3 since it was introduced in the UK. Volume of sales has been lower than anticipated - with one significant factor being the high launch price. The pattern has been much the same in other countries worldwide.

The new 40GB PS3, released in the UK on October 10 2007, is the result of some significant cost cutting efforts on the part of Sony. A lot of the changes were made after discussion with PS3 users. Sony advises that it has made the changes after "feedback from thousands of existing PS3 owners as well as research into future potential PS3 owners."

Possibly one of the most controversial decisions was the lack of backward compatibility with both PS1 and PS2 games. However, Sony's research seems to suggest that this is not an important factor for new users. Presumably, anyone who has a lot of PS2 games also has a PS2 console on which to play them. The backwards compatibility with PS1 and PS2 games was one of the more expensive items to implement on the earlier PS3 version.

Here's a nice quotation form Ray Maguire, the MD of Sony Computer Entertainment UK:

"As we approach our first PlayStation Christmas, it is satisfying to be able to offer UK consumers the choice of two PlayStation 3 packages both now representing remarkable value"

And there's no doubt about it - it does look like a better deal for consumers. It seems like a very aggressive marketing strategy by Sony in the run up to Christmas.

It is worth noting that Sony intend that, in future, only the 40GB PS3 will be available in the UK. The price drop on the 60GB model is intended to boost their sales between now and Christmas and use up the existing stock. After the current stocks of 60GB PS3 consoles are depleted only the 40GB version will be available to the public.

Sony also admit that they have been losing money on the 60GB consoles sold to date and, more surprisingly perhaps, admit that this will continue, even on the reduced cost 40GB console. They will lose less money than before, but they will still lose.

Another factor which will help sales between now and Christmas is the increasing number of PS3 games becoming available.

Current game console market leader, Nintendo, advised that there were no plans to cut the price of the Nintendo Wii. According to George Harrison, senior vice president of Marketing for Nintendo America: "We are still selling everything we can make."

Microsoft's XBox 360 had a recent price cut in August of 2007. With the release of the latest offering in the hugely popular Halo series, imaginatively titled "Halo 3", which is currently only available for the XBox 360, a cut in the Xbox price seems unlikely in the near future.