International Age Rating Coalition

The International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) is an initiative aimed at streamlining acquisition of content ratings for video games, from authorities of different countries. Introduced in 2013, the IARC system simplifies the process of obtaining ratings by developers, through the use of questionnaires, which assess the content of the product.[1][2] This new process reduces the costs of video game developers as they seek to obtain ratings for their products that are distributed digitally online.[3]

Logo

The effort was created through a coalition of rating authorities from around the world, including ESRB in North America, PEGI in Europe, USK in Germany, ClassInd in Brazil, and the Australian Classification Board, and first announced at the 2013 London Games Conference.[4] In August 2014, the Australian Classification Board introduced amendments to allow for the automated classification process employed by the IARC.[5] On December 19, 2017, South Korea's Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC) became a member.

Comparison table

A comparison of participants, showing age on the horizontal axis. Note however that the specific criteria used in assigning a classification can vary widely from one country to another. Thus a color code or age range cannot be directly compared from one country to another.

Key:

  •  White  – No restrictions: Suitable for all ages / Aimed at young audiences / Exempt / Not rated / No applicable rating.
  •  Yellow  – No restrictions: Parental guidance is suggested for designated age range.
  •  Purple  – No restrictions: Not recommended for a younger audience but not restricted.
  •  Red  – Restricted: Parental accompaniment required for younger audiences.
  •  Black  – Prohibitive: Exclusively for older audience / Purchase age-restricted / Banned.
Region/Participant0/123456789101112131415161718192021OtherNotes
Australia (Australian Classification Board) G M R18+ RC The restricted categories are MA15+ and R18+; the latter was introduced for video games at the start of 2013.
PG MA15+ CTC
Brazil (ClassInd) L 10 12 14 16 18 N/A The same rating system is used for television and motion pictures in Brazil.
ESRB
 Canada
 Mexico
 USA		 E E10+ T M AO RP This was adopted in 1994 in the United States, most of Canada, and Mexico. The E10+ rating was first used in early 2005. Games rated RP (Rating Pending) do not yet have a rating. Legally enforced in Ontario and Manitoba.
EC
Germany (USK) 0 6 12 12 16 18 BPjM restricted
No labelling
IARC Generic 3 7 12 16 18 N/A Used in most countries that aren’t represented by a participating rating authority.
PEGI
 Europe
 India
 Israel
 Pakistan
 South Africa		 3 7 12 16 18 N/A Legally enforced in some countries (but not all).
7 12 16 18
Portugal (PEGI) 4 6 12 16 18 N/A Portugal uses a modified version of PEGI.
South Korea (GRAC) ALL 12 15 18 Refused classification

References
  1. "About the International Age Rating Coalition - IARC". www.globalratings.com.
  2. Serrels, Mark. "The Government Is In The Process Of Changing How We Classify Games".
  3. "The IARC explained, and why you should care: How streamlining classification will change the culture of games censorship". Archived from the original on 19 April 2014.
  4. "New International Age Ratings System Launching Worldwide Next Year - Video Game Deals & UK News - Dealspwn.com". www.dealspwn.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  5. Reilly, Luke (1 September 2014). "Getting Digitally-Distributed Games Classified in Australia to Be Cost-Free".


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