How to Obtain Video Game Age Ratings

Obtaining age classification ratings is a mandatory step for game developers seeking to publish their titles on major digital storefronts, consoles, and physical retail markets worldwide. This guide outlines the essential steps required to navigate global rating boards—such as the ESRB, PEGI, and the IARC system—from performing an initial content audit to receiving final rating certificates before your launch date.

1. Identify Target Markets and Applicable Rating Boards

Before starting the submission process, determine the geographic regions and distribution channels for your game. Different territories require specific regional certifications:

  • ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board): North America (USA, Canada, Mexico)
  • PEGI (Pan-European Game Information): Europe and the UK
  • USK (Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle): Germany
  • CERO (Computer Entertainment Rating Organization): Japan
  • ACB (Australian Classification Board): Australia
  • GRAC (Game Rating and Administration Committee): South Korea

2. Determine the Submission Pathway (IARC vs. Traditional)

The submission method depends on whether the release is purely digital or includes physical retail media:

  • IARC (International Age Rating Coalition): An automated, cost-free solution integrated into platforms like Google Play, Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and the Epic Games Store. It assigns multiple regional ratings simultaneously via a unified questionnaire for digital-only titles.
  • Traditional/Long-Form Submission: Required for physical disc/cartridge releases, and mandatory in certain regions (such as Japan via CERO) regardless of distribution format.

3. Conduct an Internal Content Audit

Thoroughly review the final or near-final build of the game. Document and catalog all content that influences age classifications, including:

  • Violence and Gore: Realism of combat, blood levels, dismemberment, and depictions of death.
  • Language: Profanity, slurs, and crude humor.
  • Sexual Content and Nudity: Suggestive themes, partial or full nudity, and sexual depictions.
  • Substance Use: Depictions, references, or interactive use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs.
  • Gambling: Simulated gambling mechanisms or real-money gambling.
  • Interactive Elements: User interactions, unmoderated chat, location sharing, and in-game purchases (including microtransactions and loot boxes).

4. Prepare Submission Assets and Video Footage

For traditional rating workflows, developers must provide proof of content to the rating board:

  • Content Questionnaires: Detailed forms covering all sensitive elements present in the game.
  • Video Capture (B-Roll): High-definition video showing the most extreme examples of every content category (e.g., the most graphic violent scenes, worst language, explicit dialogue, or nudity).
  • Contextual Gameplay: Footage demonstrating how content appears in context, including cutscenes and player-controlled actions.
  • Playable Builds: In some cases (such as USK or CERO), a playable build or debug-enabled copy must be supplied for testers to evaluate directly.

5. Submit Documentation and Pay Associated Fees

Submit the gathered materials through each respective rating board’s developer portal. While IARC questionnaires are generally free, traditional rating board reviews incur fees that vary based on the developer’s budget, game scale, and desired turnaround time.

6. Review and Appeal (If Necessary)

Once submitted, rating board evaluators review the materials and assign an age category alongside relevant content descriptors:

  • If the assigned rating matches expectations, the developer accepts the rating certificate.
  • If the rating is higher than targeted (e.g., an Adults Only rating instead of Mature), developers can either modify the offending content and resubmit or initiate a formal appeal process with the board.

7. Implement Rating Assets Across Storefronts and Packaging

After receiving official approval, integrate the assigned rating symbols, age badges, and content descriptors into the game’s marketing assets:

  • Digital: Upload the rating certificates and display icons to console dashboards and digital store listings.
  • Physical: Apply the appropriate rating icons, legal text, and descriptor boxes to the front and back of the physical box art according to each board's strict packaging guidelines.