Video Game, Video and DVD Ratings Where appropriate, we try to display voluntary ratings information provided by PEGI (Pan European Games Information), ESRB Entertainment Software Rating Board, ELSPA (European Leisure Software Publishers Association), and compulsory ratings of the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) PEGI Ratings The PEGI age-rating system is designed a voluntary code designed to ensure that minors are not exposed to games that are unsuitable for their age group. In addition to minimum age recommendations, PEGI provides the following descriptor graphics:  Contains depictions of violence  Contains bad language  May be frightening or scary for younger gamers  Depicts nudity and/or sexual behaviour or contains sexual references  Refers to, or depicts, the use of drugs  Contains depictions of, or material which may encourage, discrimination ESRB Ratings The American ESRB ratings are important to Mac owners as 80% of Mac software originates in the States. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings are designed to provide information about video and computer game content, so you can make informed purchase decisions. ESRB ratings have two parts: rating symbols suggest age appropriateness for the game, and content descriptors indicate elements in a game that may have triggered a particular rating and/or may be of interest or concern. EARLY CHILDHOOD Titles rated EC - Early Childhood have content that may be suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate.   EVERYONE Titles rated E - Everyone have content that may be suitable for persons ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal violence, some comic mischief and/or mild language.   TEEN Titles rated T - Teen have content that may be suitable for persons ages 13 and older. May contain violent content, mild or strong language, and/or suggestive themes.   MATURE Titles rated M - Mature have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older and may contain mature sexual themes, more intense violence and/or strong language.   ADULTS ONLY Titles rated AO - Adults Only have content suitable only for adults and may include graphic depictions of sex and/or violence. They are not for persons under the age of 18.   RATING PENDING Titles listed as RP - Rating Pending have been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting final rating.   ESRB Content Descriptors: Alcohol Reference - Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages Animated Blood - Discolored and/or unrealistic depictions of blood Blood - Depictions of blood Blood and Gore - Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts Cartoon Violence - Violent actions involving cartoon-like situations and characters. May include violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted Comic Mischief - Depictions or dialogue involving slapstick or suggestive humor Crude Humour - Depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including “bathroom” humour Drug Reference - Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs Edutainment - Content of product provides user with specific skills development or reinforcement learning within an entertainment setting. Skill development is an integral part of product Fantasy Violence - Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life Informational - Overall content of product contains data, facts, resource information, reference materials or instructional text Intense Violence - Graphic and realistic-looking depictions of physical conflict. May involve extreme and/or realistic blood, gore, weapons, and depictions of human injury and death Language - Mild to moderate use of profanity Lyrics - Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music Mature Humor - Depictions or dialogue involving "adult" humor, including sexual references Mild Violence - Mild scenes depicting characters in unsafe and/or violent situations Nudity - Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity Partial Nudity - Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity Real Gambling - Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency Sexual Themes - Mild to moderate sexual references and/or depictions. May include partial nudity Sexual Violence - Depictions of rape or other sexual acts Simulated Gambling - Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency Some Adult Assistance May Be Needed - Intended for very young ages Strong Language - Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity Strong Lyrics - Explicit and/or frequent references to profanity, sex, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music Strong Sexual Content - Graphic references to and/or depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity Suggestive Themes - Mild provocative references or materials Tobacco Reference - Reference to and/or images of tobacco products Use of Drugs - The consumption or use of illegal drugs Use of Alcohol - The consumption of alcoholic beverages Use of Tobacco - The consumption of tobacco products Violence - Scenes involving aggressive conflict Additionally, online games that include user-generated content (e.g., chat, maps, skins) carry the notice "Game Experience May Change During Online Play" to warn consumers that content created by players of the game has not been rated by the ESRB. ELSPA Ratings The ELSPA ratings are designed in association with the Video Standards Council to give consumers (and parents in particular) an indication of the age ranges a certain product is most suitable for. ELSPA-recommended ages relate to suitability for viewing and not to the difficulty or playability of the game itself. 18+: the game or software is only suitable for adults (persons aged 18 or over). It may include one or more strong scenes of graphic sex or violence, explicit language, nudity, use of drugs, derogatory stereotypes or domestic violence 15+: the game or software is unsuitable for anyone younger than 15. It may include one or more depictions of mature content, nudity, violence or swear words 11+: the game or software is unsuitable for anyone younger than 11. It may include one or more depictions of cartoon violence, blood or gore, bad language, derogatory stereotypes or offensive gestures 3+: the game or software is suitable for all ages. ELSPA-recommended ages don't generally describe the difficulty or playability of the game, but some 3+ games may require skills that make them unsuitable for younger children BBFC Ratings The BBFC is an independent British body that uses minimum ages to categorise PC and video games. - The game is only suitable for persons aged 18 or over. It has an adult theme and contains strong scenes of violence that could be quite graphic. It may also contain some very explicit language. It is an offence for a retailer to supply an 18-rated game to anyone below the age of 18. This is why all purchasers must declare they are 18 or over on the MacGold checkout. - The game is unsuitable for anyone younger than 15. It may have a fairly adult theme or contain mature content, language and violence which, while not being particularly graphic, is unsuitable for younger teenagers. - The film or game is unsuitable for anyone younger than 12. It may have moments of mild violence and swear words. - This stands for "parental guidance", which means that parents might wish to check the game and give their children guidance before allowing then to use it.   - The game is suitable for children of all ages

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