Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle facts for kids
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| Founded | 1994 |
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| Headquarters |
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Germany
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Area served
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Germany |
| Services | Video game ratings |
Have you ever seen a rating on a video game box and wondered what it meant? In Germany, the organization that decides these ratings is the Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle, or USK for short. The name means "Entertainment Software Self-Regulation" in English.
The USK is the main group responsible for the video game rating system in Germany. Its job is to help kids and parents know what to expect from a game before they play it.
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How USK Ratings Work
The USK gives each game an age rating. This rating tells you the minimum age a person should be to play the game. In Germany, stores are required by law to follow these ratings. For example, a game with a "USK 12" rating cannot be sold to a 10-year-old.
However, these rules are for stores. If a parent or an adult friend gives a game to a child, the rules are different.
The Five Rating Symbols
The USK uses five colored symbols to show the age rating. Each color represents a different age group. This system helps people see the rating quickly.
| Description | Symbol |
|---|---|
| For All Ages - These games are suitable for everyone, including young children and families. |  |
| For Ages 6 and Up - These games can be a bit more exciting or faster-paced. They are great for family fun. |  |
| For Ages 12 and Up - These games often involve more competition. Any fighting is not very realistic, so players can tell it's just a game. |  |
| For Ages 16 and Up - Games with this rating might show violence or deal with serious topics like war. They are meant for older teens. |  |
| For Adults Only (18+) - These games are only for adults. They often have very realistic violence or create a dark, serious mood. |  |
More Than Just a Number
Since 2023, the USK has added extra information to its ratings. These are called "content descriptors." They tell you why a game got a certain rating. For example, a descriptor might warn you about scary scenes, strong language, or in-game purchases.
Some common descriptors include:
- Violence: This tells you what kind of fighting is in the game. It can range from "Comic violence" (like in a cartoon) to "Explicit violence" (which looks more realistic).
- Scary Themes: This warns if a game has a "Dark atmosphere" or "Scary moments" that might frighten some players.
- In-Game Purchases: This lets you know if the game asks you to spend real money. It might also warn you about "loot boxes," where you buy a random item.
- Online Chat: This tells you if you can talk to other players online through text or voice chat.
These extra details help you make a better choice about whether a game is right for you.
Special Rules in Germany
Unrated and "Indexed" Games
In Germany, there is a special list for media that is considered not suitable for young people. This list is often called the "Index." Games on this list have very strict rules. Stores cannot advertise them or display them on shelves. They can only be sold to adults who specifically ask for them.
Games that have a USK rating are protected from being put on this list. Because of this, most game companies in Germany make sure their games get a USK rating. Sometimes, they even release edited versions of their games to get a rating.
Rules About Historical Symbols
For a long time, German law had strict rules about showing symbols from certain historical groups in media, including video games. Because of this, the USK would not rate games that included them. To sell their games in Germany, developers often had to change the artwork. For example, in the game Wolfenstein: The New Order, certain symbols were replaced with made-up ones for the German version.
In 2018, the German government decided to relax this rule for video games. Now, games can include these symbols if they are used for an artistic or educational reason, similar to movies or books. The USK now checks each game to see if the use of these symbols is appropriate. The first games to be released in Germany with these changes were Wolfenstein: Youngblood and Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot.
See also
In Spanish: Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle para niños
- Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle der Filmwirtschaft, the rating system for movies in Germany
