What is gamerating?

A gamerating is a label or score that tells you how suitable a video game is for different ages and how good it is overall. It can be an age‑based rating (like “E for Everyone” or “M for Mature”) that describes the game’s content, or a quality rating (like a 4‑star or 8/10 score) that reflects how well critics and players think the game plays.

Let's break it down

  • Age rating agencies - Organizations such as the ESRB (USA), PEGI (Europe), and CERO (Japan) review a game’s content and assign an age‑based symbol.
  • Content descriptors - Short tags (e.g., “Violence,” “Strong Language”) that explain why a particular age rating was given.
  • Quality scores - Websites like Metacritic, OpenCritic, or user‑generated scores on platforms like Steam aggregate reviews into a numeric rating.
  • Rating symbols - Visual icons (E, T, M, etc.) that appear on game boxes, store pages, and digital storefronts.

Why does it matter?

  • Protects younger players by warning them (and their parents) about mature themes.
  • Guides buying decisions so shoppers know if a game fits their taste or budget.
  • Helps developers market their games to the right audience.
  • Creates a common language for reviewers, retailers, and gamers to discuss game content and quality.

Where is it used?

  • Physical game boxes in retail stores.
  • Digital storefronts such as Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Marketplace, and Nintendo eShop.
  • Review aggregation sites like Metacritic, OpenCritic, and Rotten Tomatoes for games.
  • Streaming platforms (e.g., Twitch) and social media where creators discuss a game’s rating.
  • Parental control settings on consoles and mobile devices that filter games based on their rating.

Good things about it

  • Provides a quick, easy‑to‑understand snapshot of a game’s content and quality.
  • Helps parents make informed choices for their children.
  • Encourages developers to be transparent about what’s inside their games.
  • Standardizes expectations across different countries and platforms.
  • Gives consumers confidence when trying new titles.

Not-so-good things

  • Ratings can vary between regions, causing confusion (e.g., a game rated “12+” in one country might be “M” elsewhere).
  • Some ratings are overly broad and don’t capture nuanced content (e.g., “Violence” could range from cartoonish to graphic).
  • Quality scores can be biased by a small number of extreme reviews.
  • Age ratings sometimes limit creative expression if developers avoid certain content to reach a lower rating.
  • New or indie games may lack an official rating, leaving players without clear guidance.