China Formally Institutes Game Rating System

Technology website ChinaTechNews has reported that an official games rating system has been formally released by the China Youth Network Association. Called the 'Green Games Recommended Standard,' the system is similar in function to the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) and Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) ratings, although seemingly non-voluntary, and will see game software divided into five levels. These levels will break down by recommended age group into 'players of all ages', 'junior high school', 'senior high school', '18 years and over' and a highest 'dangerous' level. The five levels are then defined in a further 12-category system, including violence, eroticism, terror, social ethics, cultural content, PK (People Killing), illegal conduct, cleanliness and civility of the text. Should titles pass the relevant levels and hearings to determine status, the game will be officially labeled a 'Green Game,' and permitted to be widely available throughout China. However, should the title be given a 'Dangerous Level' rating, the title must then be submitted to an advisory board for review of content. Although somewhat unclear, it appears that this system is government-prompted, and 'Dangerous Level' games can be banned in a similar way to previous Chinese-restricted titles.