No ESRB rating on some games?

[Valden21]

Just like the title says. I've noticed that some games on Steam have no ESRB rating, and I'm wondering about that.

[tmwfte]

Valve doesn't require an ESRB rating to sell games on the store and the process itself is voluntary.

[Valden21]

So, if you buy a game through Steam and the store page shows no ESRB rating (as is the case for some of them), then there's no problem? That's the impression I'm getting. Am I correct in making that assumption?

[tmwfte]

Originally posted by Valden21:

So, if you buy a game through Steam and the store page shows no ESRB rating (as is the case for some of them), then there's no problem? That's the impression I'm getting. Am I correct in making that assumption?

No. No problem. Why would there be a problem?

[FFL2and3rocks]

Ratings don't do anything, there is no "prove you're 18 or older to buy this game" on Steam if that's what you're asking.

[Ryo]

to be honest, if you're old enough to be on steam and buy games, you're probably old enough to handle 18+ games

[Valden21]

I'm not talking about age. I'm just confused about why some of the games on steam display ESRB ratings and why some don't.

[OtakUwU]

Originally posted by Valden21:

I'm not talking about age. I'm just confused about why some of the games on steam display ESRB ratings and why some don't.

Simply because not all games get rated by the ESRB. There are far, far too many games for them to rate all of them. The vast majority of games that I play have not been rated by the ESRB.

[Valden21]

Still a little bit confused. So there's no problem in buying a game through steam if the game doesn't have an ESRB rating?

[FFL2and3rocks]

No, there's no problem, like tmwfte said above. It's just information.

[tmwfte]

Originally posted by Valden21:

Still a little bit confused. So there's no problem in buying a game through steam if the game doesn't have an ESRB rating?

No. There is absolutely no problem buying a game that doesn't have an ESRB rating. The ratings aren't mandatory.

[Valden21]

Okay. That clears up my confusion. Thanks for the information, and consider my question to be answered.

[Dimebag]

Originally posted by FFL2and3rocks:

Ratings don't do anything, there is no "prove you're 18 or older to buy this game" on Steam if that's what you're asking.

Come to Australia and say that :P

[Insanity Claus]

Originally posted by Zach:

Originally posted by Valden21:

I'm not talking about age. I'm just confused about why some of the games on steam display ESRB ratings and why some don't.

Simply because not all games get rated by the ESRB. There are far, far too many games for them to rate all of them. The vast majority of games that I play have not been rated by the ESRB.

It's not even a matter of there being too many games to rate them. The ESRB is, by and large, a complete joke when it comes to meaningful regulation. The same is true of the MPAA, who rate movies. (not that I mind; nanny state can ♥♥♥♥ off)

If you want your game to be rated by the ESRB, you have to pay for them to review and rate it. You also need to provide gameplay clips and written overviews of the gampleay and any possible objectionable content within your game. The ESRB just glances over this and passes their judgement. They never, to my knowledge, actually play the games. (the process for the ESRB rating games is private and not disclosed, and the same goes for the MPAA) This is why things like Hot Coffee and other risque elements are constantly able to get past the ESRB. The same is true of the MPAA.

The compliance in using these rating boards is just as arbitrary as their ratings. However, the ESRB does carry meaningful weight with retailers. The MPAA has a deal with major theater chains that the theaters will enforce the MPAA guidelines. If a theater does not, then they face possible blacklisting by the major movie studios, which have staff that helms the MPAA. In a similar fashion, if a game is rated AO (Adults Only), then most major retailers (WalMart, Target, GameStop, etc.) will not stock the game or will require age indentification, even though it is not in any way legally enforceable.