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The Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (特定非営利活動法人 コンピュータエンターテインメントレーティング機構 Tokutei Hieiri Katsudō Hōjin Konpyūta Entāteinmento Rētingu Kikō?) (CERO) is the organization that rates video games and computer software in Japan with levels of rating that informs the customer of the nature of the product and for what age group it is suitable. It was established on July 2002 as a branch of Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association, and became an officially recognized non-profit organization on 2003.
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Rating
On March 1st, 2006, CERO enforced the latest revision of their ratings system. The symbols that the CERO uses are stylized depictions of letters, meant to convey at a glance, a game's suitability for minors:
- A (all ages)
- B (ages 12 and up)
- C (ages 15 and up)
- D (ages 17 and up)
- Z (ages 18 and up only)
Ratings are often printed on the packaging of video games. The Z classification is the only rating which is legally restricted.[1]
Contents descriptor icons
In April 2004, CERO defined the following "content descriptor icons". These icons are displayed on the back of all packages except on those rated "A".
- Love — Sakura Wars, Grandia 3
- Sexual content — Super Robot Wars, The King of Fighters
- Violence — Dynasty Warriors, Metal Slug, Gears of War, Resident Evil
- Horror — LifeSigns: Surgical Unit, Ghost Hunter, xxxHolic
- Gambling — Yakuza
- Crime — Burnout, Genso Suikoden I&II
- Use of alcohol or tobacco — Canis Canem Edit (Bully)
- Use of drugs — Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
- Language or other — Kanon, Baroque, Tales of Innocence
Previous ratings
- All ages
- Ages 12 and up
- Ages 15 and up
- Ages 18 and up
The primary difference between the two rating systems was the inclusion of the "17 and up" rating.
Trivia
- The first title that was rated "Ages 18 and up" is Dead to Rights on Xbox (released Nov. 28, 2002).
- Due to societal and cultural differences between the eastern and western worlds (especially the United States and Canada), some titles rated "all ages" by CERO are rated very differently outside Japan (hence the term "rating system deviation").
- Some games that are rated A in Japan have different ratings elsewhere. For example, Final Fantasy IX was rated A by CERO, but the ESRB gave it a T (which is recommended for persons aged 13 and over). In stark contrast, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne was rated A by CERO and rated M by the ESRB, however it was issued a 12 classification by PEGI.
See also
- ESRB, the United States and Canadian computer and video game rating system
- ELSPA, the former British computer and video game rating system, replaced by the PEGI system.
- PEGI, the European computer and video game rating system
- USK, the German computer and video game rating system
- EOCS, the Japanese computer and video game rating system for Bishojo games.
- OFLC, the New Zealand media rating system
- OFLC, the Australian media rating system.
- Eirin – The Japanese film rating system.
