Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

March 16, 2011

According to data from U.S. games rating board ESRB, only about five percent of all the games released during 2010 were rated "M" for Mature. This is in stark contrast to what lawmakers and the mainstream media would have the American public believe. In their minds, most games are rated "M" and are packed with sex, violence, and depravity.

That's about 82 titles out of 1,638 released in 2010. Mature rated games came in second to last in front of EC (Early Childhood), accounting for about one percent of 2010's releases. The "E" for Everyone rating took the top spot with 55 percent of all releases, followed by T (Teen) with 21 percent, and E10+ (Everyone 10+) with 18 percent. While some might argue that "Mature" rated games are more prominent because they sell better, 2010's top sellers were split evenly between E rated games and M rated games. That means that for every Black Ops game on the charts there's a Madden NFL 11 or Wii Fit Plus right alongside it.

Source: The Escapist

Posted in

Comments

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by Vake Xeacons on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 12:16.

True. But you do have to account which sell better. Black Ops just made best-seller last year.

Not that I'm on the anti-gamer side; I just need the stats and NPD sales reports. Let's shove those down the pundits' throats!

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by Inimical on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 13:56.

From what I've seen, the top 10 were split pretty much down the middle with E being a majority. I think there were 1 or  2 T titles in there.

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by Rodrigo Ybáñez ... on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 13:23.

Well, in that case, I think Super Mario Galaxy also made as best selling game a few years ago.

------------------------------------------------------------ My DeviantArt Page (aka DeviantCensorship): http://www.darkknightstrikes.deviantart.com

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by SeanB on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 11:38.

"Mature rated gamesd came in second behind EC (Early Childhood)"

You mean second from last, not second.

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by E. Zachary Knight on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 12:53.

That depends on if the glasss is half empty or half full.

GPs wording is correct if by first you mena, the rating category with the least amount of games. Then yes M is second.

Many statistics use negative phrasing to bring their point home. Such as 1st in the nation for divorce rates translates to has the most divorces of any state.

E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma

E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
Random Tower: Game News and Commentary

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by Overcast on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 10:56.

I wonder what % of movies overall XXX accounted for in the same time frame?

I get sick of the bashing on video games for 'sex and violence' while it doesn't even come close to some of the stuff on TV.

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by hellfire7885 on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 12:47.

Don't you mean unrated? XXX movies actually DO have laws keeping them away from minors.

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by ZippyDSMlee on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 11:29.

Ya but normal US TV is pretty censored I eman you get an R for smoking but a PG13 for bare butts..... oh the horror of TV :P

I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/cigital-disobedience/


I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/what-is-cigital-disobedience/

 

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by Andrew Eisen on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 12:02.

TV doesn't get an R or a PG13.  Those are movie ratings.  And no, smoking by itself will not guarantee your movie an R.

 

Andrew Eisen

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by ZippyDSMlee on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 12:11.

TV has like ratings, and smoking can get an R more than non sexual nudity dose. Anyway I am having fun with loose generalizations, shoo shoo!! :P

I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/cigital-disobedience/


I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/what-is-cigital-disobedience/

 

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by Andrew Eisen on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 12:14.

These aren't loose generalizations, they're just flat out wrong.

 

Andrew Eisen

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by ZippyDSMlee on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 14:31.

Humor...you no haz it.

I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/cigital-disobedience/


I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/what-is-cigital-disobedience/

 

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by Andrew Eisen on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 16:32.

Jokes... you haven't made any.

 

Andrew Eisen

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by ZippyDSMlee on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 23:09.

Ah hah! you do have hmor after all! :P

I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/cigital-disobedience/


I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/what-is-cigital-disobedience/

 

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by SeanB on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 11:29.

Unfortunately the XXX comparison is moot, because there are laws preventing kids from buying XXX movies.

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by ZippyDSMlee on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 11:35.

Ya but whatabut the XXX stuff thats listed as NC17 like saw and such? *hides*

I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/cigital-disobedience/


I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/what-is-cigital-disobedience/

 

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by Andrew Eisen on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 11:58.

Don't know what else you're talking about but Saw isn't XXX or NC17.  It's R (although it does have an unrated cut).

 

Andrew Eisen

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by ZippyDSMlee on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 12:09.

Uhg...talk about not getting it, 1.Torture porn, 2. "unrated" = NC17.

I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/cigital-disobedience/


I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/what-is-cigital-disobedience/

 

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by Vake Xeacons on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 12:13.

No. XXX is rated PG-13. I love Vin Diesel.


Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by Andrew Eisen on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 12:11.

Torture porn does not mean XXX and Unrated does not equal NC17.  It equals unrated.  Regardless, there's no law against selling NC17 or unrated titles.

 

Andrew

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by ZippyDSMlee on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 14:34.

Ya know...you are a straight man looking for the right punch line to send you rolling on the floor. >>

I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/cigital-disobedience/


I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/what-is-cigital-disobedience/

 

Re: Only 5 Percent of Games Released in 2010 Rated M

Submitted by ZippyDSMlee on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 10:18.

"Your facts are getting in the way of my career, shut up damnit!" a quote just taken from all politicians.

I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/cigital-disobedience/


I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/what-is-cigital-disobedience/

 

Forgot your password?
Username :
Password :

Shout box

You're not permitted to post shouts.
E. Zachary Knight: Gamasutra explores the failure of Streetfighter X Tekken and has one of the best arguments against on-disk DLC I have ever read: http://tinyurl.com/d399ylu05/25/2012 - 1:46pm
ddrfr33k: about the xbox live hacks from last year, now we know: http://kotaku.com/5913228/report-how-scammers-are-stealing-xbox-live-accounts-and-what-they-do-with-them05/25/2012 - 12:31pm
tallimar: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57440902-94/microsoft-legal-win-over-google-may-signal-ceasefire/05/24/2012 - 10:17pm
ZippyDSMlee: TIme or an operation!05/24/2012 - 6:43pm
ZippyDSMlee: PC parts are in wish me luck or hell!!05/24/2012 - 6:43pm
MaskedPixelante: 38 Studios and Big Huge Games are pretty much dead now. http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/38-studios-and-big-huge-games-lay-off-entire-staffs05/24/2012 - 4:39pm
DorthLous: Actually, nop, I did miss the emoticon for some reason (getting used to pics?) and I didn't know you changed it since (since I posted previous to my shout and it was still there.) Anyhow, thanks for taking it out!05/23/2012 - 6:01pm
james_fudge: Well we were just testing it. but it is still on the submission to fight $pam.05/23/2012 - 5:48pm
E. Zachary Knight: James, No I don't have it. I was just wondering who does and why. More curiosity than anything.05/23/2012 - 5:38pm
james_fudge: Did you not see the emoticon and did you not see that it has already been changed back?05/23/2012 - 5:10pm
james_fudge: LOL05/23/2012 - 5:07pm
DorthLous: Why? Not shocked that people are barking to an additional hoop to jump through when posting from their already logged in account or just mentionning this to try to paint me as one always complaining?05/23/2012 - 4:45pm
james_fudge: big shock there ;)05/23/2012 - 4:30pm
DorthLous: I'll add my voice to those wanting it gone :S I'm already logged in, I don't need a captch'a. That's for those registering.05/23/2012 - 3:54pm
james_fudge: Et tu EZK?!?05/23/2012 - 3:51pm
Craig R.: I'm a One Man Quorum! And it's working for me now, thanks. :)05/23/2012 - 3:48pm
E. Zachary Knight: How do we determine who get's the game/captcha thingy? Is there a certain posting threshhold users have to meet before it is turned off?05/23/2012 - 2:25pm
james_fudge: Give it a chance, we're still adjusting it ;)05/23/2012 - 11:20am
james_fudge: One does not a Quorum make Craig.05/23/2012 - 11:16am
Craig R.: If I complete the stupid game, and it just deletes my comment, what's the point?05/23/2012 - 11:15am
All shouts

Be Heard - Contact Your Politician