What Do Video Game Ratings Mean?

Know what games are best for your child.

“The best way to navigate these ratings is to get a good handle on two things: what your kids are ready for and what the game content really is.” – Pixelkin

How the ESRB Ratings Work and What They Mean

The video game industry has a voluntary rating system from the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB). Similar to the ratings for movies provided by the Motion Picture Picture Association of America (MPAA), the ESRB ratings are designed to help parents understand which games might be appropriate for different ages.

Since 97 percent of kids in the U.S. play video games, game ratings are something every parent should be familiar with. If you’re concerned about the content in games, the best thing you can do as a parent is to educate yourself about the specific games your kids are interested in and talk to them about the games they play. The ESRB rating system is a great place to start when looking for game content that you might not approve of, but these ratings only go so far. That’s where Pixelkin comes in. We go beyond the ratings to give you in-depth analyses of the different kinds of content your kids will find in video games. Our database of games gives you access to a huge amount of information about the content of specific games, to help you make the best decisions for your family.

Pixelkin offers… 

  • in-depth information that goes beyond the ESRB ratings
  • information on content descriptors and what they really mean
  • video tutorial on how to find rating information on game boxes
  • game reviews with detailed rating information
  • the latest news and research about games
  • a huge database of video game information
  • nonjudgmental, expert advice to help you understand how ratings match up with game content

  Learn About the ESRB Ratings

T is for Teen: A Guide to the ESRB Rating System

Most people know the phrase “T is for Teen.” But what does T really mean? A 2012 survey found that a significant … Keep Reading

How To Go Beyond the ESRB’s Sexual Content Descriptors 

Most parents are fairly familiar with the ESRB ratings that can be found on game boxes and elsewhere. These ratings … Keep Reading

19 Things Every Parent Should Know About the ESRB

The ESRB is the Entertainment Software Rating Board. It’s what parents turn to when they need to know if a … Keep Reading

 Educating Yourself Is the Best Thing You Can Do

gaming together

gamer screen time

kids gaming

Connect With Your Kids

Video games are much like any other hobby or interest your kids have. By taking the time to learn about and talk about the games your kids play, you’ll be showing them that you care about the things they enjoy. At Pixelkin, we believe that games have the power to strengthen relationships by bringing kids and parents together.

Sift Through All the Confusing Information

Video games are often a polarizing subject for parents. Most parents have concerns about screentime. Much of the information you find is confusing, and it’s hard to find information that’s relevant to your family and your kids. At Pixelkin, we’re focused on giving you comprehensive, objective information that breaks through all the clutter.

Make the Best Decisions

By educating yourself,  you’ll have the information you need to decide which games your kids can play. Having the knowledge to back up your choices gives you the opportunity to describe your reasoning to your kids in a language they understand. At Pixelkin, we give you the tools to become fluent in the language of games.

Free Consultation

Get Connected E-book

Newsletter

Expert Consultations

Have questions about a specific game? Have a concern about games that you need an answer to? Pixelkin’s editors can give you personalized answers to your questions.

E-Book for Parents

There is lots of information on games out there, which might make it hard to know where to start. Our e-book strips down the information so anyone can start to understand games.

Weekly Newsletter

Our newsletter highlights relevant news and stories that appear on our site. Each week we also offer a Game of the Week recommendation—special games we’ve found that you might not have heard of. We only email you once a week and don’t disclose your information to anyone.

 Pixelkin Is Here to Help You Navigate the World of Games

Sign up and you’ll receive:

1) An Expert Consultation from a Pixelkin Editor

2) Our Get Connected E-Book for Free

3) A Weekly Newsletter with Timely Information About Games.

Start learning about the games your kids love and join us today.

[mailmunch-form id=”75824″]