Do you have to be 17 to play M rated games?

Do You Have to Be 17 to Play M Rated Games?

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is responsible for rating video games based on their content, including violence, gore, and mature themes. Games rated "M" by the ESRB are intended for players 17 years old and older. But what does this mean exactly? Can you play M-rated games if you’re under 17? Let’s dive into the details.

A Brief History of M-Rated Games

The ESRB was established in 1994 to provide a standardized rating system for video games. The "M" rating was introduced to indicate games that contain mature themes, including violence, gore, and strong language. The first M-rated game was Doom, released in 1994 for the PC. Since then, many games have been rated M, including popular titles like Grand Theft Auto and Mortal Kombat.

Why 17 and Not 18?

So, why did the ESRB choose 17 as the cutoff age for M-rated games? The answer lies in the history of the NC-17 rating system for movies. The NC-17 rating was introduced in 1990 to indicate films that were too explicit for an R rating. The ESRB modeled their M rating after the NC-17 rating, making 17 the cutoff age for games that contain mature themes.

Retailer Discretion

While the ESRB recommends that M-rated games be sold only to players 17 years old and older, retailers have the discretion to set their own age restrictions. Some retailers may choose to sell M-rated games to players under 17, while others may not. It’s up to the retailer to decide whether to enforce the ESRB’s recommended age rating.

Parental Discretion

Ultimately, the decision to play M-rated games is up to parents and guardians. While the ESRB provides a rating system, it’s up to parents to decide whether their child is mature enough to play games with mature themes. Parents should consider the content of the game and their child’s age, maturity level, and sensitivity to violence and mature themes.

What Percent of Kids Play M-Rated Games?

A study by the Entertainment Software Association found that 48.8% of children who play games regularly play M-rated games. This may seem alarming, but it’s important to note that many parents are aware of the content of the games their children play and take steps to ensure their children are not exposed to mature themes.

Table: M-Rated Games by Age Group

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the ESRB recommends that M-rated games be sold only to players 17 years old and older, retailers have the discretion to set their own age restrictions. Parents and guardians should consider the content of the game and their child’s age, maturity level, and sensitivity to violence and mature themes when deciding whether to allow their child to play M-rated games.