Are video game publishers required to have a rating system?

In Washington, video game publishers are not required by law to use any particular rating system. However, game publishers who wish to produce and sell games in the state must adhere to Washington’s rules, which require them to provide consumers with labeled information about the content of the game. This includes a descriptors and age-appropriateness of the game, the platform it is playable on, and in some cases its online interactivity. Game publishers must provide this information in a manner which conforms to the rules of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). The ESRB is a non-profit, self-regulating group that uses ratings to provide parents and other consumers with information about video games content. The ESRB system has a rating for all age groups, from Early Childhood (EC) to Adults Only (AO). For parents and guardians, the ESRB system is a great way to determine which games are too violent or contain objectionable content that children should not play. Additionally, the ESRB runs a hot line for parents or consumers to report abuse, misuse, or inappropriate content in video games. In conclusion, video game publishers are not required to use any particular rating system to sell their games in Washington. However, they must provide labeled information about the content of their games and comply with the rules of the Entertainment Software Rating Board in order to do so.

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Are video game publishers required to have a rating system?

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