Here’s what ESRB’s ratings looked like in 2020

Images via Norton

Norton, known for its internet security programs, shows the breakdown game ratings throughout 2020 in its latest study, looking at platform, descriptors and more. It is important to note, each country has a different rating system, so this study centers around the ESRB (Entertainment Software Ratings Board) rating system in the U.S.

Ever wondered how the ESRB parses through every game release in a calendar year? It doesn’t quite do that. Curiously enough, the ESRB also doesn’t play every single game it rates. Publishers submit content for review instead, and the ESRB board assigns three people to review these submissions and give the game itself a rating. 

The ESRB also uses 30 different descriptors in its ratings, with substances, blood/gore, violence, humor, language, nudity, gambling and security headlining general categories. It does also rate apps, VR and online games, but the areas the ESRB doesn’t rate are streamed and downloaded content for music-based games and online interactions. 

But, there is debate about how useful ESRB ratings truly are. While more in-depth descriptors exist, they live on the web and not always on the game’s box. This calls trigger warnings into play and whether or not game ratings are an adequate equivalent for those who use them. But, the ESRB claims 87 percent of parents use ESRB ratings for their children, and 83 percent of those parents believe they’re accurate.

Norton’s data shows 69 percent of all games released in 2020 were rated E for everyone; 23 percent were rated T for 13 and up; and just over seven percent were rated M for 17 and older. The data doesn’t show anything for AO or rating pending games. 

Video games on PC clock in the most ratings, taking up 40 percent of all games rated in 2020. Consoles made up about 19 percent, and handhelds made up about 10 percent. 

The ten most viewed (but not necessarily released) games in 2020, according to the ESRB, were Cyberpunk 2077, Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto V, Control, Hitman 3, The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4: Road to Boruto, League of Legends, Metro: Last Light, and Minecraft. Across these games, half of them are rated M, four of them were rated T and Minecraft is the only one on the list rated E10+. 

Norton also reports violence is the most common category of video game ratings, with nearly 48 percent of games including “animated violence.” The ESRB has ten different descriptors for violence, and Norton reports 91 percent of the time, “blood” and “violence” are on ratings together. This is more common with “blood and gore” and “violence” 95 percent of the time. This is reflected similarly between T and M-rated games. 

E-rated games, however, are overwhelmed by not having descriptors 57 percent of the time. Animated violence is still part of the category appearing nearly 16 percent of the time, with “mild animated violence,” “violence” and “mild violence” making up that percentage.

For even more information and further breakdown, head on over to the study’s page.