The rating for all materials is prominently displayed on key pages, though it may not appear on every page within a section. For example, the rating may appear on index pages for a game but not the individual pages within the section (beneath, or branching off of, the indeces). The Weirding leaves it to parents and guardians to make themselves aware of the ESRB rating for every section and all materials presented by the site; The Weirding is not responsible for minors or others accessing materials and you agree to this as part of the TOS.
Most of the gaming content provided by The Weirding is Mature or Adults Only. Parents are strongly cautioned.
ESRB Ratings Descriptors
- Alcohol Reference - Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages
- Animated Blood - Cartoon or pixilated depictions of blood
- Blood - Depictions of blood
- Blood and Gore - Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts. Representations of blood and/or gore in realistic or photographic-like detail.
- Cartoon Violence - Violent actions involving cartoon-like characters. May include violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted
- Comic Mischief - Scenes depicting slapstick or gross vulgar humor
- Crude Humor - Moderately vulgar antics, including bathroom humor
- Drug Reference - Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs
- Edutainment - Content of product provides user with specific skills development or reinforcement learning within an entertainment setting. Skill development is an integral part of product
- Fantasy Violence - Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life
- Gambling - Betting like behavior
- Informational - Overall content of product contains data, facts, resource information, reference materials or instructional text
- 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
- Mature Humor - Vulgar and/or crude jokes and antics including "bathroom" humor
- Mature Sexual Themes - Provocative material, possibly including partial nudity
- Mild Language - Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use
- Mild Lyrics - Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music
- Mild Violence - Mild scenes depicting characters in unsafe and/or violent situations
- Nudity - Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity
- Partial Nudity - Brief and mild depictions of nudity
- Sexual Violence - Depictions of rape or other sexual acts
- Some Adult Assistance May Be Needed - Early Childhood Descriptor only
- Strong Language - Profanity and explicit references to sexuality, violence, alcohol, or drug use
- Strong Lyrics - Profanity and explicit references to sex, violence, alcohol, or drug use in music
- Strong Sexual Content - Graphic depiction 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
Titles rated "Teen (T)" have content that some parents may not find suitable for children under the age of 14. These selections may include violence, adult language, and adult situations.
Titles rated "Mature (M)" have content suitable for persons ages 17 and older. These products may include more intense violence or language than products in the Teen category. In addition, these titles may also include mature sexual themes.
Titles rated "Adults Only (AO)" have content suitable only for adults. These products may include graphic depictions of sex and/or violence. Adults Only products are not intended to be sold or rented to persons under the age of 18.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
It is important to note that we rarely get too graphic - sexually or violently (though the latter is more likely to occur) - however we do try to be reasonably accepting of others' boundaries. What you may consider taboo is not necessarily so for someone else, and we try to stay clear of it.
ReplyDeleteI happen to believe that a lot of sex or violence - whether in quantity or explicitness - is a failing of either art or artist (or both), however I also believe in the validity of works specifically meant to be gratuitous. As many of the RPGs we cover are known for their violence as a matter of their genre (specifically, horror and Cyberpunk), this has to be taken into account.
In fact, Cyberpunk is a great example, as ludicrously explicit sex and violence - literally to the point of childishness - is a hallmark of the genre. What would Cyberpunk be without a childish focus on sex, drugs, and rock n roll - fashion over function and ridiculous excess? And while I personally don't find anything contained in the section all that explicit, advanced young readers are certain to catch the deeper nuances of things left unsaid. And some may find even that to be inappropriate for their age group.
And that's fine! The ratings are provided so you can decide.
The Weirding hosts content aimed at older players, generally in their 20s-30s and above. As we ourselves became interested in tabletop roleplaying games around the ages of 10-12, we know there is a lot of that material to be had. We are older now and still play RPGs, yet there is almost no good material aimed at players of our age and acumen.
ReplyDeleteThe Weirding presents gaming information meant for use by adult players. Younger readers might not be able to appreciate some elements, and certain situations may be inappropriate.
Many troupes are comprised of players of various ages, some of whom are minors. Casual guests and onlookers are another consideration. The Weirding offers plenty of content appropriate for all ages, so that which is not is prominently indicated as such, and should be played with neither minors nor onlookers present.