The details are still in the works, but a press release today lets us know that the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and wireless association CTIA have come together to create a mobile videogame rating system. Six mobile storefronts have already signed on to use the new system: AT&T, Microsoft, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless. Rollout timing will be left to each storefront. Other mobile game storefronts have expressed interest.
This new system will use the same ratings icons that the ESRB uses for retail videogames. With all the mobile games that are released each month, rating them could get crazy. For this reason, a new streamlined system has been introduced. Publishers will submit their games, answer a questionnaire on age appropriateness, and receive a rating in seconds. The ESRB will routinely check the most popular games and monitor customer complaints to keep the system oiled.
The ESRB is taking over!
