Re: RFC - first batch of OGRE images

[Steve Baker <sjbaker1@airmail.net>]

Mark Collins wrote:
> 
> > The point being that - just like the ESRB ratings scheme, all you need is
> > a big, bold capital letter 'E', 'T', 'M', 'AO'.  Everything else is just
> > for cute effect.  People can click on it if they want explanations...once
> > it's recognisable as a 'rating', the letter is sufficiently familiar to
> > people who actually care about ratings that they'll know.
> 
> As a non-USain, I have no idea what those ratings mean. The UK system is
> prolly much better:
> U (universal), PG (Parental Guidance), 12, 15 and 18. While the first two
> are  a little vague, the numbers are clearly what the minimum age is.

Oh - somehow I thought the ESRB scheme was in use in Europe too. Is this UK
system actually an EEC standard?  (You'd expect it to be given the community
free trade laws).

If it's only a matter of painting another Ogre with a banner, we *could*
support both systems - but it would quickly get out of hand if every countries'
standard labelling scheme had to be accomodated.

I posted the meanings of the ESRB ratings last week - they aren't as finely
divided as the UK system evidently is.  I think it would be very hard for
an amateur to rate their game between (say) 15 and 18 ratings...I'd have no
idea where to put (say) a somewhat violent game.  The US (ESRB) system would
probably put Universal==E (everyone) and PG,12 and 15 into 'T==teen' with 18
being 'M==Mature'.  We also have the 'EC' (Early Childhood) which is mostly
there to protect innocent 10 year olds from the horrors of Teletubbies and Barnie.
(you should have to prove you are UNDER 6 years old to be allowed to purchase
EC products...with *stringent* legislation protecting older siblings from
accidentally seeing the game or (worse) hearing the theme music).

There is also 'AO' (Adults Only) which probably equates to 'X' in UK - although
it *might* mean the same as your '18' rating.

To repeat, the full ESRB system (which is what I propose we duplicate) is:

EC : Early Childhood
     Titles rated Early Childhood (EC) have content suitable for children ages 3 and older and do
     not contain any material that parents would find inappropriate.

E : Everyone
     Titles rated Everyone (E) have content suitable for persons ages 6 and older.
     These titles will appeal to people of many ages and tastes. They may contain
     minimal violence, some comic mischief (for example, slapstick comedy), or some
     crude language. This rating formerly was known as Kids to Adult (K-A).

T : Teen
     Titles rated Teen (T) have content suitable for persons ages 13 and older. Titles in this
     category may contain violent content, mild or strong language, and/or suggestive themes.

M : Mature
     Titles rated Mature (M) have content suitable for persons ages 17 and older.
     These products may include more intense violence or language than products in
     the Teen category. In addition, these titles may include mature sexual themes.

AO: Adults Only
     Titles rated Adults Only (AO) have content suitable only for adults. These products may
     include graphic depictions of sex and/or violence. Adults Only products are not intended to be
     sold or rented to persons under the age of 18.

RP: Rating Pending
     The product has been submitted to the ESRB and is awaiting final rating.

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