Computer Entertainment Rating Organization
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The Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (特定非営利活動法人 コンピュータエンターテインメントレーティング機構 Tokutei Hieiri Katsudō Hōjin Konpyūta Entāteinmento Rētingu Kikō) (CERO) is the organization that rates video games and computer software in Japan with levels of rating that informs the customer of the nature of the product and for what age group it is suitable. It was established on July 2002 as a branch of Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association, and became an officially recognized non-profit organization on 2003.
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[edit] Rating
On March 1, 2006, CERO implemented the latest revision of its ratings system. The symbols that CERO uses are stylized depictions of letters, meant to convey at a glance, a game's suitability for minors:
- A (all ages) equivalent to ESRB's E and E10+ ratings, PEGI's 3+ and 7+ ratings, and OFLC's G and PG ratings. Games rated A include Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Sonic Unleashed.
- B (ages 12 and up) equivalent to ESRB's T (low end) rating, PEGI's 12+ rating, and OFLC's M (low end) rating. Games rated B include Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, Street Fighter IV, Burnout Paradise, Tales of Vesperia, and Higurashi Daybreak.
- C (ages 15 and up) equivalent to ESRB's T (high end) rating, PEGI's 16+ (low end) rating and OFLC's M (high end) rating. Games rated C include Devil May Cry, Soulcalibur IV, Dissidia: Final Fantasy, Midnight Club: Los Angeles, and Destroy All Humans!.
- D (ages 17 and up) equivalent to ESRB's M rating, PEGI's 16+ (high end) and 18+ (low end) ratings, and OFLC's MA 15 (low end) rating. Games rated D include Higurashi no naku koro ni, Halo 3, Ninja Gaiden, Baldr Force EXE and BioShock. This is the strongest unrestricted CERO rating.
- Z (ages 18 and up only) equivalent to ESRB's AO rating, PEGI's 18+ (high end) rating, and OFLC's MA 15 (high end) and Refused Classification ratings. Games rated Z include Assassin's Creed, Dead Rising, The Godfather, Fable II, and Dark Sector.
Cultural differences between ratings are very common, and games can receive different ratings in different countries. For example, the game Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne was rated A by the CERO, but rated 12+ by the PEGI and M by the ESRB. There are many other examples, but some ratings are consistent, such as No More Heroes which is rated M by the ESRB, D by the CERO and 16+ by PEGI. Also, some games may be partially censored to eliminate some of the more mature themes in the games' content, such as the aforementioned No More Heroes.
Ratings are often printed on the packaging of video games. The Z classification is the only rating which is restricted.[1]
[edit] Contents descriptor icons
In April 2004, CERO defined the following "content descriptor icons." These icons are displayed on the back of all packages except on those rated "A."
- Love: Sakura Wars, Grandia III, Da Capo: Plus Situation
- Sexual content: Super Robot Wars, The King of Fighters, Air, Galaxy Angel, Doki Doki Majo Shinpan!, Soulcalibur IV, Higurashi Daybreak
- Violence: Dynasty Warriors, Metal Slug, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, Killer 7, Castlevania, Halo, Alien Crush Returns
- Horror: LifeSigns: Surgical Unit, Fatal Frame, xxxHolic, BioShock
- Gambling: Yakuza, 81diver, Machi: Unmei no Kousaten, Bully
- Crime: Burnout, Genso Suikoden I&II, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, No More Heroes, Wild Arms 5, Test Drive Unlimited
- Use of alcohol or tobacco: Machi: Unmei no Kousaten, Days of Memories 2
- Use of drugs: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Imabikisou, 428: Fūsasareta Shibuya de
- Language or other: Kanon, Baroque, Tales of Innocence, killer7, Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World, Tales of Vesperia
[edit] Previous ratings
These ratings were used until March 2006.
- Free replaced by A
- 12 and older replaced by B
- 15 and older replaced by C
- 18 and older replaced by D and Z
The primary difference between the two rating systems was the inclusion of the "17 and older" rating, due to the large gap between the "15 and up" and "18 and up" ratings.
[edit] See also
- ESRB, the United States and Canadian computer and video game rating system
- ELSPA, the former British computer and video game rating system, replaced by the PEGI system.
- PEGI, the European computer and video game rating system
- USK, the German computer and video game rating system
- EOCS, the Japanese computer and video game rating system for bishōjo games.
- OFLC, the New Zealand media rating system
- OFLC, the Australian media rating system.
- Eirin – The Japanese film rating system.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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