Why doesn't the ESRB make a "Teen Plus" rating...

[Shadowstorm]

For games like Halo 3?

I think the games ratings system from the ESRB could be a little bit more defined when it comes to Teen through Mature ratings. There are obviously many games that belong in the M category, but I feel some games do not. Halo 3, for instance, don't really fit into this as well as titles like Manhunt, Condemned, or Soldier of Fortune, for instance. They are obviously different levels of mature content.

I think either there should be a "Teen Plus" rating designated below the Mature rating for games like Halo 3 that don't contain the level of mature content in the games that I mentioned above, or that these games should be placed in a higher category above M (not AO).

As far as parental responsibility goes, all of these titles that I've mentioned in this post should require some parental permission/insight, but this really isn't the crux of my post.

[NotJeff]

As far as parental responsibility goes, all of these titles that I've mentioned in this post should require some parental permission/insight, but this really isn't the crux of my post.

It may not be, but it's the crux of my answer....

The ESRBs rating exist to advise parents & retailers. It's kind of a yes or no question as to whether the ESRB thinks parents should step in and take a look at a game before their teen plays it. Further fine-graining serves no real purpose except perhaps to convince parents not to do more research on a game that the ESRB really thinks they should.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

I wonder how many teens that want Halo 3 don't have it.

[Kielaran]

One of the problems is convoluting the system. Add that one and then there will be another rating to add and before long you are splitting hairs and the system is more confusing than the layman needs. As it sits now, the reason for the rating is also present, so an informed parent can make the decision, say allowing violence and graphic language, but not nudity.

Also, what age would you give it? We have 13 and 17 currently. Age raing of 15? If you were to make a raing above Mature, would that then be 18? You are now limiting the difference by a year. The system needs to be simple to help those who don't know about games.

[Troggles]

I like Mature because it doesn't imply age. I know that I was more mature and could handle that material when I was younger than most of my friends could. It's not like when I hit 18 I suddenly became mature.

[Satertek]

don't really fit into this as well as titles like Manhunt, Condemned, or Soldier of Fortune, for instance. They are obviously different levels of mature content.

These games were what the AO rating was intended for. Unfortunately though, it got a bad rep early on and now AO = banned everywhere.

To be honest, the letters should be removed entirely and the rating should just state what type of content is in it. Otherwise, whatever is used as the "worst" rating, will never be available anywhere.

[Stmfuller]

These games were what the AO rating was intended for. Unfortunately though, it got a bad rep early on and now AO = banned everywhere.

To be honest, the letters should be removed entirely and the rating should just state what type of content is in it. Otherwise, whatever is used as the "worst" rating, will never be available anywhere.

Well, since AO was seen as "porn games" much like the NC-17 and X ratings that's why you never see AO games...that and the only way you can seem to get AO games is on the PC anyway (I believe they're banned on consoles entirely).

As for "fixing" the ratings system, I don't think there really think the system is all that bad right now. My only fixes are the E and the E10 ratings. Look it's either for everybody or it's not. Too many ratings confuse people and if it's questionable, just slap a T rating on it. PG-13 seems to be the sweet spot for movie companies, why can't it be that way for video games?

[Variable Gear]

I agree that a Teen-plus label should be implemented, as long as the ESRB fails to properly rate games like Halo 3.