Requirements The appropriate rating icon and content descriptors appear for a minimum of 4 consecutive seconds prior to the initial interactive state if the title is a Demo or trial version of an Xbox LIVE Arcade title. The rating icon is black and white and replicated exactly as provided by the ratings board with no changes in shape, color, or design. The size of the rating icon measures no smaller than 50% of the vertical height of the screen in which it is displayed and the content descriptor(s) are legible.
Tools None
Configuration None
Definition None
Steps 1. Review the submission documentation to verify if the title has a North America release for a Final submission.
Review the ESRB certificate provided in the submission materials.
Set the Dev Kit game region to North America and select 720p in the Xbox 360 Launcher.
In the Dashboard set the language to English and the locale to EN-US.
Launch the Demo or trial version of the Xbox LIVE Arcade title.
Verify the display of the appropriate rating icon and descriptors for duration of a minimum of four seconds prior to the initial interactive state.
Verify the rating icon is black and white and replicated exactly as provided by the ratings board with no changes in shape, color, or design.
Take a screenshot and verify the rating icon size is at least 50% of the vertical height of the screen.
Documentation Compliance runs Build Verification Tests to ensure that a title can be fully tested against the TCR test cases. BVTs are run against all submissions. Titles that are missing files or information are placed on hold for a maximum of 48 hours to resolve all issues. It is critical for titles that have complex XLSP features to resolve front end XLSP issues quickly so that all issues can be resolved within 48 hours.
ESRB Rating Icons:
EVERYONE
Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.
EVERYONE 10+
Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes.
TEEN
Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.
MATURE
Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.
RATING PENDING
Titles listed as RP (Rating Pending) have been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting final rating. (This symbol appears only in advertising prior to a game's release.)
ESRB Rating Icons for Unrated Demos:
The following Notice must be displayed at the start of all demos/trailers/videos for games anticipated to receive an “EC,” “E,” or “E10+” rating:
The following Notice must be displayed at the start of all demos/trailers/videos for games anticipated to receive a “T,” “M” or “AO” rating:
ESRB Content Descriptors:
Alcohol Reference - Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages
Animated Blood - Discolored and/or unrealistic depictions of blood
Blood - Depictions of blood
Blood and Gore - Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts
Cartoon Violence - Violent actions involving cartoon-like situations and characters. May include violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted
Comic Mischief - Depictions or dialogue involving slapstick or suggestive humor
Crude Humor - Depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including “bathroom” humor
Drug Reference - Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs
Fantasy Violence - Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life
Intense Violence - Graphic and realistic-looking depictions of physical conflict. May involve extreme and/or realistic blood, gore, weapons and depictions of human injury and death
Language - Mild to moderate use of profanity
Lyrics - Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol or drug use in music
Mature Humor - Depictions or dialogue involving "adult" humor, including sexual references
Nudity - Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity
Partial Nudity - Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity
Real Gambling - Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency
Fantasy Violence - Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life
Intense Violence - Graphic and realistic-looking depictions of physical conflict. May involve extreme and/or realistic blood, gore, weapons and depictions of human injury and death
Language - Mild to moderate use of profanity
Lyrics - Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol or drug use in music
Mature Humor - Depictions or dialogue involving "adult" humor, including sexual references
Nudity - Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity
Partial Nudity - Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity
Real Gambling - Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency
Sexual Content - Non-explicit depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including partial nudity
Sexual Themes - References to sex or sexuality
Sexual Violence - Depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts
Simulated Gambling - Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency
Strong Language - Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity
Strong Lyrics - Explicit and/or frequent references to profanity, sex, violence, alcohol or drug use in music
Strong Sexual Content - Explicit and/or frequent depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity
Suggestive Themes - Mild provocative references or materials
Tobacco Reference - Reference to and/or images of tobacco products
Use of Drugs - The consumption or use of illegal drugs
Use of Alcohol - The consumption of alcoholic beverages
Use of Tobacco - The consumption of tobacco products
Violence - Scenes involving aggressive conflict. May contain bloodless dismemberment
Violent References - References to violent acts
Result Display of rating icon and content descriptors must be displayed for a minimum of four seconds prior to the initial interactive state. The rating icon must be black and white and replicated exactly as provided by the ratings board with no changes in shape, color, or design.
If the demo has not yet been rated, the Rating Pending (RP) icon should not be displayed on screen prior to the start of a demo. See examples of the appropriate ESRB rating icon further below in the Documentation section.
Pass Examples Final Demo or trial version XLA title releasing to North America
• The title displays the correct ESRB rating icon and descriptor for more than 4 seconds prior to the initial interactive state.
• The size of the rating icon measures no smaller than 50% of the vertical height of the screen in which it is displayed and the content descriptors must be legible. The measurement does not include the Online Rating Notice (ORN) text.
Fail Examples Final Demo or trial version XLA title releasing to North America
• A title displays text or images that are not related to the ESRB rating on the ESRB rating screen.
Examples:
A title displays a loading icon or notification on the ESRB screen.
A title displays unrelated text or a publisher logo on the ESRB screen.
Final Demo or trial version XLA title releasing to North America Rejection
• The title does not display an ESRB rating icon or assigned descriptor.
• The title displays the Rating Pending (RP) icon. This includes Exclusive Private Demos.
• The rating icon and content descriptors are displayed for less than 4 seconds.
• The rating icon and content descriptors are not displayed prior to the initial interactive state.
• The incorrect icon and or content descriptors are displayed prior to the initial interactive state.
• The icon displays at less than 50% of the vertical height of the screen. The measurement does not include the Online Rating Notice (ORN) text.
• The content descriptors are blurry and not legible in 720p.
• The rating icon is displayed in grey. The icon must be black and white.
• The rating icon is modified in shape, color, or design. The icons must not be transparent.
NA Examples • The rating requirement is not applicable for Optional Final or Optional Pre-Cert titles.
• The rating requirement is not applicable for the full version of an XLA title.
Analysis None
Faq Q: Where can I view the ESRB requirements?
A: Refer to the www.esrb.org site and review the published Advertising Review Council (ARC) Manual. See section VI.E. Requirements for Demos, Trailers, Videos c. Requirements for Rating Information Display Prior to Access (i) Rating Icon and Content Descriptor Display.
Q: What if the title does not have any content descriptor(s) visible?
A: This is fine if the ESRB indeed did not assign content descriptors for the title. Verify by viewing the official ESRB rating certificate.
Q: Is it fine to display the ESRB logo with another ratings body logo (For example: PEGI).
A: No, the ESRB icon must only appear by itself.
Q: Are there strict rules on whether the ESRB icon must include the ™or ® symbol?
A: No, this is fine as long as the images came from the ESRB originally.
Q: Where can I get more information on the ESRB logos?
A: Please refer to the Download Library in the Game Publishers section of the ESRB website (www.esrb.org) to obtain correctly sized EPS versions of ESRB icons for packaging, print and all other forms of advertising.
Q: Do the rating icon and the content descriptor(s) need to be displayed on the same screen?
A: Content descriptors must be displayed with the icon however they can be in the text next to the rating icon, in a Descriptor Box attached to the rating icon, or directly under the rating icon.
Q: Is it acceptable to blend the background of the outside of the black box surrounding the ESRB Icon with the artistic background of the rest of the screen?
A: Yes, as long as the actual icon is black and white (not grey) then the background generally does not matter as long as the text is legible.
Q: Is it acceptable if the demo displays the rating icon for an unrated demo after a demo has been rated if this only occurs prior to the initial interactive state?
A: Yes, in the case of a 1.1 the demo may still include the unrated ESRB icon and not the rated version that was received after the initial demo was certified.
Hardware 1. Development Kit x 1
Requirements The appropriate rating icon and content descriptors appear for a minimum of 4 consecutive seconds prior to the initial interactive state if the title is a Demo or trial version of an Xbox LIVE Arcade title. The rating icon is black and white and replicated exactly as provided by the ratings board with no changes in shape, color, or design. The size of the rating icon measures no smaller than 50% of the vertical height of the screen in which it is displayed and the content descriptor(s) are legible. Tools None Configuration None Definition None Steps 1. Review the submission documentation to verify if the title has a North America release for a Final submission.
ESRB Rating Icons for Unrated Demos: The following Notice must be displayed at the start of all demos/trailers/videos for games anticipated to receive an “EC,” “E,” or “E10+” rating:
The following Notice must be displayed at the start of all demos/trailers/videos for games anticipated to receive a “T,” “M” or “AO” rating:
ESRB Content Descriptors: Alcohol Reference - Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages Animated Blood - Discolored and/or unrealistic depictions of blood Blood - Depictions of blood Blood and Gore - Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts Cartoon Violence - Violent actions involving cartoon-like situations and characters. May include violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted Comic Mischief - Depictions or dialogue involving slapstick or suggestive humor Crude Humor - Depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including “bathroom” humor Drug Reference - Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs Fantasy Violence - Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life Intense Violence - Graphic and realistic-looking depictions of physical conflict. May involve extreme and/or realistic blood, gore, weapons and depictions of human injury and death Language - Mild to moderate use of profanity Lyrics - Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol or drug use in music Mature Humor - Depictions or dialogue involving "adult" humor, including sexual references Nudity - Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity Partial Nudity - Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity Real Gambling - Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency Fantasy Violence - Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life Intense Violence - Graphic and realistic-looking depictions of physical conflict. May involve extreme and/or realistic blood, gore, weapons and depictions of human injury and death Language - Mild to moderate use of profanity Lyrics - Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol or drug use in music Mature Humor - Depictions or dialogue involving "adult" humor, including sexual references Nudity - Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity Partial Nudity - Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity Real Gambling - Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency Sexual Content - Non-explicit depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including partial nudity Sexual Themes - References to sex or sexuality Sexual Violence - Depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts Simulated Gambling - Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency Strong Language - Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity Strong Lyrics - Explicit and/or frequent references to profanity, sex, violence, alcohol or drug use in music Strong Sexual Content - Explicit and/or frequent depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity Suggestive Themes - Mild provocative references or materials Tobacco Reference - Reference to and/or images of tobacco products Use of Drugs - The consumption or use of illegal drugs Use of Alcohol - The consumption of alcoholic beverages Use of Tobacco - The consumption of tobacco products Violence - Scenes involving aggressive conflict. May contain bloodless dismemberment Violent References - References to violent acts Result Display of rating icon and content descriptors must be displayed for a minimum of four seconds prior to the initial interactive state. The rating icon must be black and white and replicated exactly as provided by the ratings board with no changes in shape, color, or design. If the demo has not yet been rated, the Rating Pending (RP) icon should not be displayed on screen prior to the start of a demo. See examples of the appropriate ESRB rating icon further below in the Documentation section. Pass Examples Final Demo or trial version XLA title releasing to North America • The title displays the correct ESRB rating icon and descriptor for more than 4 seconds prior to the initial interactive state. • The size of the rating icon measures no smaller than 50% of the vertical height of the screen in which it is displayed and the content descriptors must be legible. The measurement does not include the Online Rating Notice (ORN) text.
Fail Examples Final Demo or trial version XLA title releasing to North America • A title displays text or images that are not related to the ESRB rating on the ESRB rating screen. Examples:
Q: What if the title does not have any content descriptor(s) visible? A: This is fine if the ESRB indeed did not assign content descriptors for the title. Verify by viewing the official ESRB rating certificate.
Q: Is it fine to display the ESRB logo with another ratings body logo (For example: PEGI). A: No, the ESRB icon must only appear by itself.
Q: Are there strict rules on whether the ESRB icon must include the ™or ® symbol? A: No, this is fine as long as the images came from the ESRB originally.
Q: Where can I get more information on the ESRB logos? A: Please refer to the Download Library in the Game Publishers section of the ESRB website (www.esrb.org) to obtain correctly sized EPS versions of ESRB icons for packaging, print and all other forms of advertising.
Q: Do the rating icon and the content descriptor(s) need to be displayed on the same screen? A: Content descriptors must be displayed with the icon however they can be in the text next to the rating icon, in a Descriptor Box attached to the rating icon, or directly under the rating icon.
Q: Is it acceptable to blend the background of the outside of the black box surrounding the ESRB Icon with the artistic background of the rest of the screen? A: Yes, as long as the actual icon is black and white (not grey) then the background generally does not matter as long as the text is legible.
Q: Is it acceptable if the demo displays the rating icon for an unrated demo after a demo has been rated if this only occurs prior to the initial interactive state? A: Yes, in the case of a 1.1 the demo may still include the unrated ESRB icon and not the rated version that was received after the initial demo was certified. Hardware 1. Development Kit x 1