The open-world sandbox game is filled with the kind of exploration, creation, and community that appeal to adults and children alike. Odds are you’ve been hearing about Minecraft for quite some time. Maybe you’ve learned a lot about it through your kids, or maybe you’re just getting acquainted with it now. Either way, if you’re wondering about what more you need to know about the risks and rewards of your child playing Minecraft, read on.

What is Minecraft?

At its core, Minecraft is a game where players place blocks and go on adventures. This includes anything from crafting simple items like containers or weapons, to building structures like houses, castles, and cities, or even making complex mechanical devices, all within the game’s world. Think of it like an endless world of complex, programmable LEGOs that allows players to imagine, design, and create anything they dream up.

Gameplay in Minecraft is split into two different modes: Survival mode and creative mode.

Survival mode is almost like a campaign, where players must forage for food and fend off incoming enemies with various weapons such as swords or pickaxes. Players have to be resourceful when exploring their environment, as they could be attacked by mobs of threatening creatures (such as the iconic Creeper).

The ultimate goal is to use materials to build equipment and structures like houses or gardens to stay safe from the elements. Unlike many similar games, the path to victory is entirely up to the player. The open-world structure invites many different playstyles and encourages experimentation and exploration when dealing with the crafting mechanic. For those that want a structured challenge, the Ender Dragon is the main threat within this mode, and players can try and vanquish it, though it’s not an easy task!

Creative mode offers a more open-ended experience, where players do not have to worry about hunger, health, or being attacked by enemies. In creative mode, players can fly and have access to an unlimited amount of in-game resources. With a full arsenal of materials to use, players create and explore to their heart’s content. Some players opt to create simple structures, while others create vast works of art and engineering. The possibilities are endless!

Is Minecraft Appropriate for Kids?

Minecraft is rated E10+ (Everyone 10+) with a Content Descriptor for Fantasy Violence. It also has Interactive Elements for Users Interact (meaning players can communicate online if they choose) and In-Game Purchases (meaning the game offers the ability to exchange real-world currency for in-game currency or items).

Minecraft does not have violent or gory content in the base game. Enemies and other creatures will simply vanish when defeated, and while players can kill non-threatening animals for food sources, these displays are not glorified. That said, the ability to create and share content means that some other users may publicly share content that your kids may not be ready to engage with. Fortunately, there are parental controls available to help manage (block, limit, etc.) access to user-created content.

Materials like pickaxes and dynamite are used to explode terrain and enemies, but these are blocky and cartoony in nature. In survival mode, players can perish from starvation, burning, drowning, falling, or being attacked by hostile creatures, among other fates; however, these aren’t shown, and players can simply respawn after succumbing to the elements.

Community Features

Players can also join private servers that are set up by independent members of the community and are not controlled or moderated by Mojang Studios. Servers may host some users with whom parents may not be familiar. Players can “block” or “mute” other players who bother them. Many servers are set up by default to censor profanity in text chat; however, some servers – which is an individual player’s “world” – are set up by their host to allow more explicit or objectionable content subject to the specific community guidelines they establish. Voice chat is not available in the PC version of the game, but players can use other platforms like Discord to chat while playing. Meanwhile, those playing on game console platforms, like Xbox and PlayStation, do have access to in-game voice chat. Of course, you can block or limit with whom your kids’ can communicate via parental controls.

Parents should monitor which Minecraft server(s) their children are participating in to determine if the user base is appropriate. You can also create a private server for your kids called a Minecraft Realm, which allows you to individually approve or deny who is permitted to enter. Microsoft parental controls also enable parents to set up a child account to manage online communications, not just in Minecraft but in other Windows PC and Xbox games.

You can find step-by-step parental controls guides at ParentalTools.org.

Differentiating Versions of Minecraft

You may notice that there are two different versions: Minecraft Java Edition and Minecraft Bedrock Edition. The major difference between these versions hinges on the platforms on which they are available. Java Edition is available on PC, Mac, and Linux computers, whereas Bedrock is available on Windows 10 and 11, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Fire OS/TV, Android, iOS, Windows Mobile, and Samsung Gear VR. Players using the Java Edition cannot play with players using the Bedrock Edition, so if your child plays Minecraft on a PC and wants to play with their friends online, it would be important to find out which version their friends use.

Parents should monitor which Minecraft server(s) their children are participating in to determine if the user base is appropriate.

There are a number of other differences between the two versions, including how players access user-created “mods” or downloadable content like skins and maps for the game. In the Bedrock Edition, mods are curated and only accessible in the Minecraft Marketplace, which means the quality will likely be more limited but consistent. The Bedrock Edition enables cross-play across a much broader variety of platforms, whereas the Java Edition is limited to playing with other PC users. You can find more on the differences between Minecraft Java Edition and Minecraft Bedrock Edition here and here.

How Much Does Minecraft Cost?

Minecraft is available for almost every modern console, smartphone, tablet, and computer, but the price of the game differs depending upon the platforms your kids use.

Regardless of the version, “Minecoins” (Minecraft’s in-game currency) can be used to purchase add-ons and skins in the Minecraft Marketplace. Note that any add-ons are completely optional, and the game is playable without needing to make any additional purchases. Minecoins aren’t available for purchase on all platforms, so it may not even be applicable in your home.

Remember that all gaming devices have parental controls that allow you to restrict or limit the ability to make in-game purchases. Remember to visit ESRB’s step-by-step parental control guides at ParentalTools.org to help manage how much your kids can spend on new games and in-game purchases, which games your kids can play, with whom, and when/for how long they can play.

Using Minecraft in Schools

Minecraft also has a special version created specifically to facilitate learning in a fun and engaging way. Minecraft: Education Edition is built to help kids learn things like collaboration, creative problem-solving, STEM skills, and more! Education Edition has also been evolving into creating lessons to help kids better navigate online environments. This includes how they can stay safe online and to help teach them how to keep their personal information private.

Minecraft: Education Edition is available for free for anyone with an Office 365 Education account. If you (or your kids’ school) aren’t eligible, you can still try Education Edition with a free Hour of Code.

Patricia E. Vance is the president of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). In her position, she leads the teams responsible for assigning age and content ratings to video games and apps, enforcing marketing guidelines adopted by the video game industry, and operating ESRB Privacy Certified, an FTC-sanctioned COPPA Safe Harbor Privacy seal certification program.

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Feuer brings more than two decades of experience in consumer protection and privacy policy and enforcement to the ESRB. In her past role as the Assistant Director for International Consumer Protection at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), she represented the U.S. and the FTC internationally on consumer-related advertising, marketing, and data privacy issues involving new and emerging digital technologies. She also investigated and litigated advertising cases and coordinated the FTC’s work on the U.S. SAFE WEB Act, legislation that enhances the FTC’s cross-border cooperation powers.

“The ESRB Privacy Certified program continues to set a high bar with its self-regulatory standards and commitment to best practices,” said Feuer. “As a result, consumers, parents, and caregivers can be assured that their and their children’s personal data will be protected whenever they see Privacy Certified seals displayed. I am thrilled to join ESRB at this pivotal moment for data privacy to help Privacy Certified members meet ongoing and future compliance challenges creatively.”

“Stacy’s deep expertise in navigating the domestic and global regulatory landscape for privacy, consumer protection and e-commerce makes her a perfect choice to lead the Privacy Certified program,” said ESRB President Patricia Vance. “Stacy will bring enormous value to our member companies, helping guide them on compliance with an ever-increasingly complex array of consumer privacy regulations on the state, federal and global levels.”

Before joining the FTC, Stacy practiced international law at a Washington, DC firm, and served as a law clerk for a federal district court judge. Stacy graduated from Cornell University and the New York University School of Law. She holds a CIPP-US accreditation from the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

About ESRB

The ESRB is a non-profit, self-regulatory body that independently assigns age and content ratings for video games and mobile apps so parents can make informed choices. It also enforces advertising guidelines adopted by the video game industry and helps companies implement responsible online, mobile and internet connected device privacy practices under its Privacy Certified program. Visit www.esrb.org for more information.

About Privacy Certified

ESRB’s Privacy Certified program, an authorized Safe Harbor under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), helps companies comply with online and mobile privacy protection laws in the United States and beyond. Privacy Certified protects consumer privacy and is consistent with ESRB’s mission to help interactive entertainment companies conduct business responsibly while assuring consumers, especially parents, that their personal data is collected and managed responsibly. Look for the Privacy Certified seal. For more information, visit esrb.org/privacy.

Contact:

Johner Riehl
858.220.5626
johner@zebrapartners.net

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What Does This New Notice Mean?

This new Interactive Element, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), will be assigned to any game that contains in-game offers to purchase digital goods or premiums with real world currency (or with virtual coins or other forms of in-game currency that can be purchased with real world currency) for which the player doesn’t know prior to purchase the specific digital goods or premiums they will be receiving (e.g., loot boxes, item packs, mystery awards).

In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) will be assigned to all games that include purchases with any randomized elements, including loot boxes, gacha games, item or card packs, prize wheels, treasure chests, and more. Games that have the In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) notice may also include other non-randomized paid elements.

Consumers can make more informed decisions when purchasing or downloading a game, instead of finding out after the fact.

The original In-Game Purchases notice will still be assigned to games that offer any other type of purchase, including additional levels, cosmetic items, DLC, expansions, etc. However, going forward it will not be assigned to games with “loot boxes” or similar mechanics to ensure consumers clearly understand when the game offers purchases with randomized elements.

Why Now?

According to research, parents are far more concerned about their child’s ability to spend real money in games than the fact that those in-game purchases may be randomized. This data helped to inform the introduction of the In-Game Purchases Interactive Element. That being said, since adding the In-Game Purchases notice to ratings assigned to physical games many game consumers and enthusiasts (not necessarily parents) have reached out to us asking the ESRB to include additional information to identify games that include randomized purchases. The In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) Interactive Element was developed in response to those requests. By including more specificity about the randomized nature of the in-game purchases, consumers can make more informed decisions when purchasing or downloading a game, instead of finding out after the fact.

We want to ensure that the new label covers all transactions with randomized elements.

Why Not Say “Loot Boxes”?

“Loot box” is a term that doesn’t encompass all types of randomized in-game purchase mechanics. We want to ensure that the new label covers all transactions with randomized elements. In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) accounts for loot boxes and all similar mechanics that offer random items in exchange for real-world currency or in-game currency that can be purchased with real money.

Moreover, we want to avoid confusing consumers who may not be familiar with what a loot box is. Recent research shows that less than a third of parents have both heard of a loot box and know what it is. “Loot box” is a widely understood phrase in and around the video game industry and among dedicated gamers, but most people less familiar with games do not understand it. While this new label is primarily in response to feedback from game enthusiasts, it is still essential that all consumers, especially parents, have a clear understanding of the rating information we provide.

Of course, we will continue to educate parents on all forms of in-game purchases, parental controls, and ESRB-assigned age and content ratings.

Looking to the Future

As always, we will continue to monitor how video games evolve and innovate to ensure that we provide parents and other consumers with the information they need to make informed decisions about which games and apps are appropriate for their family. Additionally, ESRB will continue to update ParentalTools.org so parents have access to parental control guides for all major video game devices.

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New York, NY – The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) today announced that it will begin assigning a new “In-Game Purchases” label to physical (e.g., boxed) games. The In-Game Purchases label is one of several interactive elements that ESRB currently assigns to notify consumers about the interactive or online features of a digital or mobile game. Consumers can expect to start seeing this new notice on all games that can be purchased in stores and wherever those games can be downloaded in the near future.

“The video game industry is evolving and innovating continually, as is the ESRB rating system. ESRB’s goal is to ensure that parents have the most up-to-date and comprehensive tools at their disposal to help them decide which games are appropriate for their children,” said ESRB president Patricia Vance. “With the new In-Game Purchases interactive element coming to physical games, parents will know when a game contains offers for players to purchase additional content. Moreover, we will be expanding our efforts to educate parents about the controls currently at their disposal to manage in-game spending before their kids press ‘Start’.”

The new In-Game Purchases label will be applied to games with in-game offers to purchase digital goods or premiums with real world currency, including but not limited to bonus levels, skins, surprise items (such as item packs, loot boxes, mystery awards), music, virtual coins and other forms of in-game currency, subscriptions, season passes and upgrades (e.g., to disable ads).

“We are delighted to support ESRB’s continuing dedication to safeguarding children from inappropriate experiences both online and offline by providing parents with essential information about video games,” said Stephen Balkam, Founder and CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute. “ESRB’s decision to add the InGame Purchases label to game boxes further empowers parents with the tools they need to make informed decisions for their families.”

Today ESRB also launched ParentalTools.org, an easy-to-use one-stop resource for parents including:

• A detailed introduction to the new “In-Game Purchases” and other interactive elements;
• Links to step-by-step guides for setting parental controls to help manage different aspects of video game use in the home, including money and time spent playing; and
• A link to the ESRB ratings guide that provides an explanation of ESRB’s three-part rating system.

In addition to the information available on ParentalTools.org, ESRB will conduct a nationwide campaign to help educate parents about how they can use tools like ESRB ratings combined with parental controls to manage the games their kids are playing and with whom. A new PSA will be posted on ParentalTools.org and other supporting websites.

About ESRB

The ESRB is a non-profit, self-regulatory body that assigns age and content ratings for video games and mobile apps so parents can make informed choices. It also enforces advertising guidelines adopted by the video game industry and helps companies implement responsible online and mobile privacy practices under its Privacy Certified program. Visit www.esrb.org for more information.

Contact:
Beth Llewelyn
206.406.5027
beth@zebrapartners.net

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New York, NY – The International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) today announced that it has signed an agreement with GRAC, the Republic of Korea’s game content rating board, making it the newest rating authority to participate in the global rating system for digital games and mobile apps. The IARC rating system allows GRAC to assign its age and content ratings for games in participating storefronts. Current storefronts using the IARC system include Google Play, Microsoft Store, Nintendo eShop and the Oculus Store with other storefronts, including the PlayStation Store, to be added soon.

GRAC will join the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) in North America, PEGI in Europe, ClassInd in Brazil, USK in Germany and the Classification Board in Australia in using the streamlined IARC system to ensure that today’s digital consumers have consistent access to established and trusted age ratings across game devices.

“As the market for digital games continues to expand, it’s essential that rating authorities continue to innovate and collaborate to provide consumers with access to the ratings they know and trust in their home regions,” said Patricia Vance, ESRB president and chairperson of IARC. “GRAC understands this need, and will be a valuable partner in continuing to provide digital game and app storefronts with trusted age and content ratings administered by the IARC rating system.”

“In the current global platform-centric game market collaboration among rating authorities is inevitable.” said Myeungsook Yoh, chairperson of GRAC. “GRAC finds the IARC system highly effective and useful in that a single questionnaire can assign different ratings for respective regions while conveying the cultural standards of each territory. This will allow immediate assignment of ratings, and will provide familiar information for consumers. GRAC hopes the collaborative work among rating authorities will help to establish a healthy game entertainment culture in Korea.”

About IARC

The IARC system assigns age ratings, content descriptors and interactive elements for digital games and apps. Developers can only access the system and use IARC ratings on digital storefronts that have licensed and integrated the system into their on-boarding process. There is no cost for developers to use the system, which features a single questionnaire that once completed immediately assigns different ratings for various territories around the world. Those IARC-certified ratings are then ingested by the storefront and mapped to their respective regions. IARC and its participating rating authorities are responsible for monitoring and ensuring the accuracy of ratings assigned by the system. The fundamental goal is to enable digital consumers, especially parents, to have broad access to established, credible and locally relevant ratings for interactive entertainment products, regardless of the device on which they consume them.

The six IARC rating authority participants, which collectively represent regions serving approximately 1.5 billion people, include:

• Classificação Indicativa (ClassInd) – Brazil
• Classification Board (ACB) – Australia
• Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC) – Republic of Korea
• Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) – North America
• Pan European Game Information (PEGI) –Europe
• Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) – Germany

The system also assigns a legally compliant age rating in Russia and generic IARC ratings in all other territories without a participating rating authority. For more information about IARC, including a video and infographic, please visit www.globalratings.com.

About ESRB

The ESRB is a non-profit, self-regulatory body that assigns age and content ratings for video games and mobile apps so parents can make informed choices. It also enforces advertising guidelines adopted by the video game industry and helps companies implement responsible online and mobile privacy practices under its Privacy Certified program. Visit www.esrb.org for more information.

About GRAC

The Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC) is a public organization fostering the healthy game culture and development of the game industry in Korea. GRAC assigns age and content ratings for all games (PC packages, PC online, Mobile, Arcade, Console, Downloadable, Embedded games, etc.) that are manufactured or distributed in Korea. It also monitors and enforces illegal distribution of games, game websites, arcades, and gambling game elements to protect the public from negative influences. Visit http://www.grac.or.kr/english/ for more information.

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Beth Llewlyn
206.406.5027
beth@zebrapartners.net

The post Republic Of Korea’s Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC) Becomes Newest Participant in IARC Rating System appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

John comes to the ESRB most recently from the New Jersey Attorney General’s office where he served as Assistant Attorney General for Affirmative Civil Enforcement. He managed enforcement of state and federal privacy laws, including COPPA, the New Jersey Identity Theft Protection Act and HIPPA/HITECH. In that capacity he worked closely with federal and other state regulators on joint investigatory and enforcement initiatives. John is a Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States by IAPP.

“Protecting customer data and implementing best practices to comply with the growing myriad of privacy laws in the U.S. and abroad are a necessity for all businesses today, and have always been a priority for the Privacy Certified program and its members,” said ESRB President Patricia Vance.”

“We’re thrilled to have John onboard as a key member of our leadership team, especially considering the heightened regulatory scrutiny of privacy practices we’re seeing today and the complexity of compliance issues arising from new regulations and a wave of internet connected devices coming to market,” Vance continued. “His expertise will be invaluable to our members in helping them maintain privacy-compliant practices while assuring their customers that their personal data, and that of their children, is collected and managed appropriately.”

Prior to his work in the Attorney General’s office, he spent more than twelve years practicing law at Parker Ibrahim & Berg LLC and Latham & Watkins LLP. He received his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from Villanova University.

About ESRB

The ESRB is a non-profit, self-regulatory body that independently assigns age and content ratings for video games and mobile apps so parents can make informed choices. It also enforces advertising guidelines adopted by the video game industry and helps companies implement responsible online, mobile and internet connected device privacy practices under its Privacy Certified program. Visit www.esrb.org for more information.

About ESRB Privacy Certified

ESRB Privacy Certified, an authorized Safe Harbor provider under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), helps companies comply with the complex online and mobile privacy protection laws in the United States and beyond. ESRB Privacy Certified protects consumer privacy and is consistent with ESRB’s mission to help interactive entertainment companies conduct business responsibly while assuring consumers, especially parents, that their personal data is collected and managed responsibly. ESRB Privacy Certified supports over 2,000 member websites, apps and internet connected devices. For more information, visit esrb.org/privacy.

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Beth Llewelyn
206.406.5027
beth@zebrapartners.net

The post John M. Falzone III Joins ESRB as Vice President, Privacy Certified appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

NEW YORK, Dec. 7, 2016 – ESRB Privacy Certified, the industry-leading full-service online and mobile privacy program, has partnered with Jet.me, the first mobile chat platform for children under 13 years old, helping to ensure this new service is compliant with the Children Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

Jet.me, which launched on September 28th, is the first chat platform designed specifically for children under the age of 13 — giving today’s mobile native a safe way to connect with friends. Jet.me, with counsel from ESRB Privacy Certified, ensures that children who engage with the app are safe and that their personal information remains private and protected.

“ESRB Privacy Certified was one of the first privacy seal providers to be approved as a COPPA Safe Harbor by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and an ideal partner to ensure Jet’s unique privacy concerns were lock-safe for children and families,” said Jenny Mirken, CEO, Jet.me.

“ESRB Privacy Certified has been at the forefront of COPPA compliance as an important and steadfast proponent in helping brands create a safe environment for kids to engage online,” said Dona Fraser, vice president, ESRB Privacy Certified. “Jet’s new mobile chat platform ensures that today’s mobile native can have a rich digital experience while safeguarding every child’s privacy, allowing a parent to be actively involved and protecting children from strangers.”

In working with Jet, ESRB Privacy Certified leveraged a “Privacy by Design” approach, allowing for:

• An ad-free environment across all of Jet’s platforms
• Default privacy settings that are easy for all consumers to understand
• Technology features that provide a safe place to chat and ensures all personal information is private and protected
• The Jet Parent companion app, which allows for convenient parental verification as well as the ability to set preferences, approve friend requests and manage multiple children from one app

The result is a groundbreaking, COPPA-compliant messaging application open to children under 13, coupled with a pioneering parental consent solution to ensure that the proper approvals are collected.

Jet.me and Jet Parent are both available to download in the App Store.

About ESRB Privacy Certified

ESRB Privacy Certified, an authorized Safe Harbor provider under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), helps companies comply with the complex online and mobile privacy protection laws in the United States and beyond. ESRB Privacy Certified protects consumer privacy and is consistent with ESRB’s mission to help interactive entertainment companies conduct business responsibly while assuring consumers, especially parents, that their personal data is collected and managed responsibly. ESRB Privacy Certified supports over 2,000 member websites and apps. For more information, visit esrb.org/privacy or follow us on Twitter @ESRBPrivacy.

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Carol Rogalski
425-890-4747
carol@zebrapartners.net

The post ESRB Privacy Certified Helps First Mobile Chat Platform for Kids be COPPA Compliant appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

Established by ESRB and other international rating organizations, the IARC rating system streamlines the process for assigning age and content ratings to the high volume of digitally delivered games and apps coming into the market today. ESRB ratings are also displayed in Google Play, Firefox Marketplace and Nintendo eShop using the IARC rating system. ESRB will continue to assign ratings for console downloadable and/or packaged games that play on Microsoft’s Xbox, Nintendo, and PlayStation platforms through traditional means.

While Microsoft has long been a supporter of the ESRB ratings, this represents the first time it is deploying the new streamlined process for assigning age ratings for digitally delivered games and apps via the Windows Dev Center developer portal. Launched in 2014, the IARC rating system simplifies the process by which developers obtain age ratings by having them answer a single set of questions about their product’s content and interactive elements. Their responses automatically generate different age ratings from each participating territory along with a generic rating for the rest of the world. Currently, the IARC rating system administers the familiar and trusted content ratings from ESRB in North America, PEGI in Europe, ClassInd in Brazil, USK in Germany and the Classification Board in Australia with more rating authorities expected to join in the future.

“With low barriers to entry and single-click access to a global digital marketplace, the number of game and app developers has sky-rocketed as has the volume of digital games and apps they publish. To address these market forces, international rating authorities joined forces to establish a revolutionary unified process that simultaneously generates trusted and familiar ratings for multiple territories while preserving each of their distinct cultural standards,” said Patricia Vance, president of ESRB and chairperson of IARC. “We applaud these storefronts for deploying the IARC rating system, enabling developers to obtain ratings at no cost and providing consumers with culturally relevant and trustworthy guidance about age appropriateness of the content in games and apps they may be considering for download.”

“Microsoft has long supported IARC’s efforts to bring forward a single, much streamlined and cost effective global rating process for developers. We’re pleased to make the IARC system available in early 2016 in the Windows Store as a way to help our customers find regionally relevant ratings for games and apps,” said Todd Brix, General Manager, Windows Store and Developer Marketing, Microsoft.

For more information about IARC, including a video and infographic, please visit www.globalratings.com.

About ESRB

The ESRB is a non-profit, self-regulatory body that independently assigns age and content ratings for video games and mobile apps so parents can make informed choices. It also enforces advertising guidelines adopted by the video game industry and helps companies implement responsible online and mobile privacy practices under its Privacy Certified program. Visit www.esrb.org for more information.

###

Beth Llewlyn
206.406.5027
beth@zebrapartners.net

The post IARC Rating System Administers ESRB Ratings in North America for Windows Store Games and Apps appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers: “As the mom of three young children who are growing up surrounded by exciting new apps, video games, and other forms of entertainment, I applaud efforts by the private sector to keep our children safe and parents informed about the content young Americans are viewing—regardless of medium: whether it’s on video game consoles, PCs, or mobile devices.”

U.S. Representative Jim McGovern: “Parenting today isn’t easy. We can’t be everywhere at once. As a father of two teenage children, there’s only so much that I can do to protect my kids from being exposed to inappropriate forms of entertainment. It’s important that we have responsible rating systems and that’s why I’m pleased that the ERSB, Google, Mozilla, and the International Age Rating Coalition have taken the steps to inform families like mine which games are ok to play. Information is key when it comes to parents making responsible choices for their kids – whether it’s about video game consoles, PCs, or mobile devices. These ratings provide critical information for parents as they decided what games are appropriate for their children. More importantly, these ratings help parents like me make informed decisions when it comes to video games. I strongly support this new approach to broaden informed and responsible accessibility to mobile games and apps.”

Rick Fant, vice president, Apps and Marketplace, Mozilla Corporation: “We’ve been working with IARC for more than a year and the classification system has proven to be effective for the Firefox Marketplace, developers and users. The key value proposition for Firefox Marketplace users is accessing locally relevant age and content rating information from the experts.”

Strauss Zelnick, chairman and CEO of Take-Two Interactive Software; chairman of the board, Entertainment Software Association: “For more than 20 years, the ESRB has provided invaluable leadership to the interactive entertainment industry and played an integral role in protecting the creative freedom of today’s most innovative artists and storytellers. In addition, the ESRB has been lauded resoundingly as a highly effective resource for consumers, particularly parents, ensuring that gamers of any age can easily access trusted content rating information. Together with the other associations, the International Age Rating Coalition is poised to take a bold and important step forward with Google Play and Mozilla Firefox Marketplace that will enhance further our industry’s standards of excellence and self-regulation.”

Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox; vice chairman of the board, Entertainment Software Association: “Microsoft has been a longtime supporter of ESRB ratings. Our users are familiar with them and, more importantly, trust them. We will continue to support IARC’s creation of a global ratings solution that makes it seamless for developers and producers to get their digitally delivered contentrated globally to benefit consumers in their purchasing decisions.”

Reggie Fils-Aime, President and COO of Nintendo of America: “Nintendo has always been a strong advocate of helping people make smart choices about the games they buy for themselves and for their children. More than 20 years ago, Nintendo was instrumental in supporting the creation of consumer-friendly rating systems, and now we’ve joined with other leaders in the video game industry to support the IARC initiative. As digital downloads continue to grow in popularity, it’s more important than ever for people to be educated about the content of the games they are buying.”

Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO, Entertainment Software Association: “The partnerships with Google and Mozilla will provide localized ratings and content information to scores of millions of parents around the world. It will help ensure that game consumers in North America have access to trusted ESRB ratings across devices—consoles, computers, smartphones and tablets. This is the latest example of our industry’s unrivaled and long-standing engagement with parents.”

John Riccitiello, CEO, Unity Technology; former CEO, Electronic Arts; former chairman of the board, Entertainment Software Association: “Having been an early supporter of IARC for years, I applaud Google and Mozilla for taking the initiative to deploy the IARC rating system. The IARC system presents a common- sense solution with a single standard, providing locally relevant age and content ratings that consumers recognize and trust. Obtaining IARC ratings is free to the app developer and incredibly easy to use.”

For more information about IARC, please visit www.globalratings.com

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